Conclusion


     The Copenhagen Summit rightly emphasised the prevalence of poverty and injustice, especially in developing countries. The Summit agreements, however, have been honoured more in the breach than in the observance. As a result, the number of people in poverty has continued to increase, as has inequality within and between countries. Both of these trends are likely to deteriorate even further unless a principled and resolute stand is taken by leaders in key international institutions and in governments and business sectors of the wealthier countries, especially the United States. In doing so, they must address underlying causes and pursue fundamental reforms. In particular, as suggested in this paper, they should pursue a vigorous and sustained programme of international cooperation to strengthen governance and standards at the international level and to implement an Anti-Poverty Pact which mobilises sufficient resources to achieve drastic reductions in poverty, especially in developing countries.