The Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction, initiated by the World Bank, will begin in Shanghai on May 26, with developing countries placing high expectations on this precious opportunity to "learn from each other".

In the two day agenda, nearly 1,000 delegates will have in-depth discussion on issues like increasing efficiency in poverty reduction, and favorable conditions of donation for developing countries. They will also raise concrete proposals to respective countries and international cooperation projects.

Diego Zavaleta, secretary of the National Dialogue of Bolivia, said 65 percent of eight million Bolivians are still living under the poverty standard set by the World Bank, with each person's living cost under US$1 per day.

Bolivia has carried out reform mainly on privatization and opening up since 1985, yet it turned out to be a failure in terms of poverty relief due to not pinpointing the domestic situation of Bolivia.

"The conference now offers us an opportunity to see poverty relief in many other places around the world," said Zavaleta, adding that he is strongly interested in policy making based on people's opinions in different countries.

Mansur Muhtar, director-general of the Debt Management Office of Nigeria, said he will more focus on how to give more efficient assistance to the poor, and how to increase financial support by personal donation and community cooperation.

"Nigeria is now carrying out all-round economic reform, and I hope the conference may give some practical advice to our reform," he said.

Muhtar stressed that developing countries should consider how to maintain their own value system while inviting foreign investment and opening up for economic development.

As a delegate from an African country, he also hoped the developed countries could break up trade barriers, and give more opportunities and favorable policies to developing countries in international trade.

"We are ready to share our experience with other countries, and learn from others especially in non-governmental anti-poverty campaigns," said Dr. Pervez Tahir, chief economist of the Pakistani Government.

Jacquis Rabarison, minister of Energy and Mines of Madagascar, expressed his hope that the developed countries could render more help to developing countries in the fields of education, water supply and medical service.

Fully realizing the importance of the international cooperation, Rabarison is now looking forward to substantial results of the conference.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2004)