11.28. The representative of Angola said that LDCs remained very weak. They represented the poorest and continued to face a number of challenges, such as the high burden of infectious and non-infectious diseases, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, low agricultural productivity, and environmental and climate change challenges. As underscored by Nepal, the situation of LDCs had not significantly changed since the last extension in 2005. LDCs' productive capacity continued to be limited. They were facing serious problems in terms of infrastructure. They were still lagging behind in critical areas. In addition, they were having problems concerning technology transfer. He recalled that the MC8 had invited "the TRIPS Council to give full consideration to a duly motivated request from Least-Developed Country Members for an extension of their transitional period under Article 66.1 of the TRIPS Agreement, and report thereon to the WTO Ninth Ministerial Conference". Thanking for the support expressed by previous speakers, including developing country Members, he invited developed country Members to agree to the LDC Group's request for a transition period applicable as long as the country remained an LDC.
