Quito, November 27 (NNN-RHC)-- Ecuador's successful efforts to decrease poverty and narrow the income gap since 2006 has won recognition by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Its success has been attributed to the nation's development initiatives known as The Good Living, or Buen Vivir, introduced by President Rafael Correa after he was elected president in 2007.

“We do believe in the concept of Buen Vivir adopted policies and implementing those policies in a way which are centered on the human being and which are sustainable with the environment … the basic premise of Buen Vivir is actually very close to a proposal that can get us closer to the Millennium Development Goals,” said Diego Zorrilla, the UNDP Director in Ecuador.

Ecuador has the highest public investment in the region, with 15 percent of its gross domestic product. This investment has had favorable results, as the poverty rate has dropped from 38 percent to 26 percent and extreme poverty from 17 percent to 8 percent since 2006.

Along with reducing poverty and inequality, Ecuador was recognized by the U.N. as being a model for sustainable development. Under Good Living, the country has invested over $9 billion in renewable energy sources. It is estimated that 92 percent of all energy used for internal consumption will be renewable by 2016, as the country works on a type of development for the well-being of all citizens.

The 11th Annual Meeting of the United Nations included the participation of representatives from the World Bank, the World Health Organization, the Organization of the American States, and the International Monetary Fund, among other international organizations.