30 March 2011- The world’s poorest countries are making progress but the gap between them and their wealthier counterparts is getting larger, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.

Afghanistan is one of the 48 Least Development Countries (LDCs) which has positive growth in the past decade, according to the report by the Secretary-General's Eminent Persons Group on the Least Developed Countries.

“This is the time for global solidarity to achieve progress even in the poorest countries of the world, which will go a long way in advancing global prosperity and security,” the group said pointing to the high incidence of conflicts in countries with extreme poverty and weak institutions.

The report is being released ahead of the fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries to be held in Istanbul from 9 to 13 May, hosted by the Government of Turkey.

The conference will focus on will seek to promote a 10-year programme for food security, decent work, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and clean energy growth in the 48 LDCs.

By UNAMA Kabul