UN condemns rich nations

In criticism aimed primarily at the United States, Japan and the European Union, a United Nations report said rich donor nations have failed to deliver on promises to help the world's poorest countries and must increase aid by US$18 billion ($27 billion) a year.

The report also criticised the failure of rich and poor nations to reach a trade pact in seven years of talks that would expand global trade opportunities for developing countries to reduce poverty.

The report was issued ahead of a September 25 meeting of world leaders at UN headquarters to step up efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, adopted at a summit in 2000.