2007年VOA标准英语-UN: World's Poorest Nations Need Technological

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
19 July 2007

A new United Nations report says the world's 50 poorest nations will not be able to reduce poverty unless they acquire the knowledge and technology needed to catch up with the economic achievements of the rest of the world.  The U.N. Conference on Trade and Development or UNCTAD says the Least Developed Countries can reduce poverty by narrowing the technology gap.  Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva. 

The report says science, technology, and innovation are necessities, not luxuries.  It says the world's 50 least developed countries will not emerge from poverty until they learn to use the technologies that have enriched industrialized nations. 

UNCTAD economists¹ say most of the poor countries are economically integrated with the rest of the world.  But they note their economies remain locked into low-value added commodity production and low-skill manufacturing, which does not do much to improve their situation.

Supachai Panitchpakdi, UNCTAD Secretary-General (Sept. 2006 file photo)

To break out of this cycle, UNCTAD Secretary-General, Supachai Panitchpakdi, says the least developed countries, sometimes referred to as LDCs, must gear their policy-making toward the business sector² and make the right investments in areas such as education.

"And, also the infrastructural³ investment, particularly in the areas which are really basic like electricity," Supachai said. "We are informed that, of course, with a lack of electricity, you can not even think of doing any basic research work.  So, some basic infrastructural investments must be done." 

The report says the LDCs must innovate⁴ their way out of poverty.  It says if the poor countries do not upgrade their skills, they will continue to lose out in the global marketplace.

Supachai says UNCTAD is not suggesting that the poor countries delve⁵ into basic research.

"We are talking about the research and development and technologies and innovations that could be commercialized, that could have some implications for the production lines that would enhance the quality, the makeup⁶ of the products and the skill of the people who worked on the production line," Supachai said.  

The study finds agricultural productivity very low in most of the poor countries and with expanding populations and declining farm sizes, more people are looking for work outside agriculture.  It says these countries will not be able to work their way out of poverty without the creation of non-farm jobs through technological⁷ upgrading.

UNCTAD says more foreign aid is needed to support science, technology and innovation in the world's poorest countries.

Between 2003 and 2005, it says $1.3 billion in Overseas Development Assistance was given for improving governance in LDCs.  During the same period, only $12 million was given for improving agricultural production.

1 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

3 infrastructural   

adj.基础结构的基础设施的

参考例句：

• Must increase the investment dynamics unceasingly, strengthens the countryside infrastructural facilities. 要不断加大投入力度，加强农村基础设施建设。 来自互联网
• In the 1980s, India started with some infrastructural advantages over China. 1980年代，印度在某些基础设施方面优于中国。 来自互联网

4 innovate   

v.革新，变革，创始

参考例句：

• We must innovate in order to make progress.我们必须改革以便取得进步。
• It is necessary to innovate and develop military theories.创新和发展军事理论是必要的。

5 delve   

v.深入探究，钻研

参考例句：

• We should not delve too deeply into this painful matter.我们不应该过分深究这件痛苦的事。
• We need to delve more deeply into these questions.这些是我们想进一步了解的。

6 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

7 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。