UN chief urges developed countries to raise $100 billion for vulnerable nations

ISTANBUL

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on developed countries to fulfill their pledge to raise $100 billion for vulnerable nations.

“The time has come for the developed countries to fulfill their obligations towards the least developed countries by providing 0.15 to 0.20 percent of their GDP in the form of development aid,” Guterres told the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in the Qatari capital, Doha.

“It’s time to end the empty promises era and to give enough attention to the needs of the least developed countries, which must be at the heart of projects, priorities and investments,” he added.

The UN chief said the LDCs contribute less than 4% of the world’s greenhouse gases.

“Governments, businesses and civil society must deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the crisis. The era of broken promises must end now,” he added.

Doha hosts the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries from March 5 to 9, with the participation of around 6,000 people, including heads of state and government.

The conference aims to discuss ways to assist the least developed countries around the world, and to mobilize investments to advance their economies.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report