of the Doha trade round, and the need to respond to the needs of developing countries within an adequate time frame that would allow for such an agreement to be reached. Eight, the idea of reforming the United Nations should be extended by adopting concrete and practical steps towards enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries in the decision-making and norm-setting processes of the international economic, financial and trading systems.

JEAN-MARC HOSCHEIT (Luxembourg), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, noted that trade liberalization and improved multilateral trade rules could play a vital role in achieving the Millennium Goals. Stressing that the special needs of weak and vulnerable developing countries should be fully reflected in the outcome of the December’s WTO meeting, he encouraged itsthat three years after Monterrey, the lack of financial resources had stymied the efforts of developing countries to achieve their development goals. Poverty was a serious obstacle to human development. Thanks to the policies undertaken by his country, its poverty rate had declined in the past decade. For developing countries, an active private sector could contribute to growth and development. An increasingly private sector-led economy had expanded Malaysia’s growth, enhanced its ability to adapt and undertake change, and improved efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

He emphasized the difficulties faced by developing countries in integrating themselves into the international trade system. It was imperative that the imbalances and asymmetries, including the lack of market access, be given high priority. In addition to poverty alleviation, it was important to ensure adequate infrastructure