The latest issue of the Human Development Report showed dismal decline in important indices for some developing countries, a sad reality which mirror the regressive path that these nations are treading.

One of the important advocacies that this particular document contains is the often-heard responsibility of developed countries for developing countries. In particular, this report calls for: the elimination of unfair trade subsidies on agriculture in economically-advanced countries, debt relief, more aid and accessibility to technological advancements.

This Report highlights the obvious: inspite of the calls for lower trade barriers by developed countries, they have strongly protected their agriculture sector, an area which many developing countries could have competitive advantgae in. And given the developing countries' reliance on agriculture, the pampering done by the governments of the developed countries only lessen the former's advantage to compete with the local products in the markets of the latter.

Such is the irony and sad reality. The loud calls to liberalize come from the same governments which want their markets closed. Talk about double standards.

And of course, debt relief. The adjustment programs that these debts have been attached too in the past (and for some, even now)have only choked the developing countries' lifeblood-preventing them from spending money in more sustainable investments. In spite of the fact that much of these debts were onerous, i.e. spent for illegitimate purposes, the pressure to pay is still there.

The cycle continues.