The Role of International Organizations in Promoting Sustainable Development in Third-world Countries

Abstract

Promoting sustainable development lies at the top of the international organizations’ agenda. For years, providing aid, assistance and guidance for developing countries has become an essential part of the various international organizations’ efforts, the first among these organizations being the United Nations. Internationally, developmental efforts can be traced back to the years that followed the Second World War. Both the communist and Western blocks competed to provide aid for third-world countries to win them over to their sphere of influence. There are different opinions that try to explain the motives behind the developed world’s assistance provided to the third world. While some argue that the more the economic situation in third-world countries improves, the more Western products will be consumed by these states. Others argue that developed countries helping poor countries is driven by ethical reasons.