The Programme of action for the least developed countries for the 1990s

The Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s was adopted at the Second United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which was held in Paris in September 1990. The predecessor to this Programme was the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries (SNPA) adopted at the first United Nations Conference on the LDCs in 1981. Both the SNPA and the Programme of Action have the same objective of addressing the development problems facing this group of very poor countries. The two programmes have similar orientations in that they encompass domestic policy measures to be implemented by LDCs themselves, with the international community providing complementary external support. The Programme of Action was necessitated by the fact that at the end of the 1980s, after a decade of implementing the SNPA, the economic and social conditions of LDCs had worsened. The Programme addresses the weaknesses of the SNPA and calls for a broad-based, human-centred approach to development in the least developed countries, including environmental concerns, participatory processes, transparency at all levels of decision-making, respect for human rights and observance of the rule of law.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Affordable and Clean Energy

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions