MDG 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger "Those who suffer or
who benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most" The
widening gap between rich and poor worldwide is a major threat
to global security and economic integration. Poverty is a
vicious circle, being both the cause and effect of the lack of
opportunities that exist for the poor to help themselves. As a
primary driver of economic growth and employment creation, the
private sector plays a central role in reducing poverty.
However, in many developing countries the majority of the
population faces obstacles in starting or expanding industrial
activities. Few small and micro-enterprises have the capacity to
become stable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to respond
to the opportunities available in the export sector and the
global economy. For MDG1, UNIDO aims to unleash the productive
potential of the poorer groups in the world by promoting
productive activities, industrial policies, institution-building
and industrial support services.