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number of researchers is relative to the population of eachcountry. Data used for full-time equivalent (FTE)researchers suggest a global average of somewhat morethan 1000 researchers per million inhabitants. In developedcountries, the number stands at more than 3600, while indeveloping countries (excluding LDCs), the number standsat just over 500 and in the LDCs, this indicator does notreach 50 496 . However, it will be seen below that theamount of investment in R&D does not correlate closelywith the number of researchers.6.2. Least developed countries6.2.1. Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA)LDCs represent the poorest and most vulnerable group ofcountries, and as a group they have made the leastprogress of all developing countries in achieving theMDGs 497 . They are characterized by weak, fragile andvulnerable economies. Their trade and developmentchallenges and difficulties are further exacerbated by theirexposure to disruptive environmental shocks, climatechange and natural disasters. Expected climatic changeswill have adverse impacts on and ramifications for thesecountries’ water resources, agricultural production,biodiversity, living conditions in human settlements, as wellas trade and transport infrastructure.The international community has been paying specialattention to LDCs through dedicated 10-year programmesof action to provide differential treatment to this specificgroup of countries since the early 1980s. These areexclusively targeted to LDCs, with a view to fosteringsustained economic growth and structural transformationand thereby reducing inequality between LDCs and the restof the world.For the last one and a half decades, the MDGs served as thekey guiding principles for international developmentFigure 6-3. Areas of emphasis of IPoA in the context of the SDGscooperation in LDCs. Since the MDGs are highly focused onthe social sectors, global attention was naturally tailored tothese areas. Science and technology and their relationshipwith the productive sector often remained at the peripheryof the development strategyThe Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA), adopted at theFourth United Nations Conference on LDCs in 2011, is anambitious document that sets a target of enabling half thenumber of LDCs to meet the criteria for graduation by2020. It includes eight priority areas for action: (1)productive capacity, (2) agriculture, food security and ruraldevelopment, (3) trade, (4) commodities, (5) human andsocial development, (6) multiple crises and other emergingchallenges, (7) mobilizing financial resources fordevelopment and capacity building, and (8) goodgovernance at all levels.6.2.2. The Istanbul Programme of Action and the SDGsComparing the SDGs and the IPoA, it can be seen that IPoApriorities are covered in full and share a number of targetsin common with the SDGs. The objectives, priorities, goalsand targets of the IPoA are more targeted and specific aswell as comprehensive in the areas of special focus to LDCs(hunger, with special emphasis on agriculture; genderequality; energy; infrastructure; industrialization;innovation and trade; climate change; and means ofimplementation) (see Figure 6-3).In addition to the quantitative indicators proposed for theeight priority areas and for the first objective of theProgramme of Action, qualitative information is also usedto monitor the rate of progress in achieving the goals andtargets. 498 It is important that existing indicators and dataare taken into consideration and incorporated into theSDGs and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, to enablecoordination of monitoring and implementation.Source: Author’s elaboration108