Ecuador recently became the first country to default on its Brady bonds, which were created in the late 1980s to allow developing countries to repackage bad bank loans into new bonds backed by U.S. Treasury securities.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Japan was late in developing its economic system compared with other Asian and Islamic countries.

ECONOMIST: The once and future boom

And the general advice to developing countries has been to follow these recommendations since the late 80s, early 90s.

FORBES: The Washington Consensus Works

But the paragraph calling for the voluntary participation of developing countries in greenhouse-gas reductions was struck out during the late-night haggling.

ECONOMIST: Global warming

Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, ICTP seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers.

UNESCO: Basic Sciences