A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Doan Xuan Hung attended the 4 th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), held in the Turkish city of Istanbul from May 9-13.

Organised every ten years to discuss measures to promote development assistance LDCs, the event drew the participation of about 10,000 delegates, including 50 state leaders and Prime Ministers, 10 Vice Presidents, 94 Ministers and leaders of international organisations.

In addition to eight collective sessions and eight themed forums, the event included 50 debate sessions on climate change, agricultural development, fair trade, education and training, public health, migration and gender equality, which are closely related to LDCs’ development demands.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President of the European Commission Manuel Barosso, Turkish President Abdullah Gul stressed on their speeches that support for LDCs’ development contributes to creating a more stable, peaceful, prosperous world.

They also reminded some developed countries about their indifference to joint efforts of international community.

At the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Hung spoke of Vietnam ’s outstanding socio-economic achievements and the results of Vietnam ’s Millennium Goals. He also shared experience in development cooperation.

Hung met with his counterparts from Brazil , Ajerbaijan and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Central Africa.

The conference adopted the Joint Statement and Istanbul Action Programme.

The number of LDCs grew from 25 in 1971 to 48 in 2011. Three countries including Boswana, Mauritius and Cape Verde have escaped from poverty and become developing countries./.