PORT OF SPAIN (Trinidad and Tobago): Commonwealth leaders meeting here feel that efforts to stem the rising tide of non-communicable ailments such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancer should be made part of global developmental goals.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the matter was raised Saturday during their retreat session at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2009 being held in this Caribbean port city.

"They're of the view that the impacts of the three diseases are being felt not only in developed countries but also among developing nations.

"As such, they see the need for a more effective programme and a concerted effort to address the issue," he told Malaysian journalists at the end of Saturday's proceedings.

Under CHOGM 2009 special theme of "Partnering For a More Equitable and Sustainable Future", Najib said the leaders discussed the concerns of developing nations in Africa and the Caribbean amid the current global economic downturn.

According to the prime minister, many of them had to grapple with reduced demand for their exports.

Najib said they also faced difficulty in exporting agricultural commodities such as bananas to markets like the European Union.

"They also say that financial institutions like the World Bank don't appear to be helping them much," he said.

The leaders also wanted governments to give more focus on youth-related issues.

"They feel that there's a need to enhance education and vocational training programmes," he said, adding that the leaders also favoured giving access to credit and providing business opportunities to young people. -- Bernama