UN Chief Guterres Condemns Rich Countries For 'Choking' Poor Nations

United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has condemned rich countries and energy giants for choking poor nations.

Guterres said on Saturday that wealthy nations should provide $500bn annually to help others “trapped in vicious cycles” that block their efforts to boost economies and improve health and education.

Guterres hit out straight away at the way poor nations are treated by the more powerful.

"You [LDCs] represent one in eight people on Earth.

"I have enormous admiration for your remarkable efforts to achieve graduation and sustain graduation.

"But your countries are also trapped in vicious cycles that make development difficult.

“We are perfectly aware of the inequities created by our unfair global economic and financial system. 

“Our global financial system was designed by wealthy countries, largely to their benefit.

"Richer countries have also promised, but failed, to produce hundreds of billions of dollars to help poorer states battle climate change.

"The UN would keep pushing for the resources already promised."

Guterres was speaking at the opening day of the UN Least Developed Countries (LDC) summit in Qatar.