After falling for nearly decade, official development assistance has begun to recover. The US is moving to further open its market to imports from Africa and Latin America. MNA is also opening up as evidenced by agreements being made under the Euro- Mediterranean initiative and a free trade zone between Jordan and the United States. On the other hand, MNA still faces significant barriers to its exports, particularly on agricultural commodities to the European Union. These restrictions are costly to the region's export development and growth.
Rich countries can do more to demonstrate their commitment to the international development goals.
Most high-income countries have endorsed the goal of increasing aid to 0.70 percent of GDP, form the current average level of 0.24 percent. And high income countries can offer a fair proposal on second- generation trade issues such as intellectual property rights. The first part of the 21st century offers a rare window of opportunity. If developing countries, donor countries, and international organizations can work together with greater urgency, hundreds of millions of people may well escape the pain of severe deprivation within our lifetimes. For information about the content or for permission to redistribute, publish or use for broadcast, contact our syndication department.