Developing countries are facing a difficult economic test as rising energy prices, extreme weather risks and mounting borrowing costs threaten to increase poverty and strain government finances, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned. The UN body added that rising fuel prices, a potentially record-breaking El Nino and higher global borrowing costs could deepen poverty and leave vulnerable economies with fewer resources to protect their populations Developing countries are facing a difficult economic test as rising energy prices, extreme weather risks and mounting borrowing costs threaten to increase poverty and strain government finances. The UNDP, in its policy brief released on October 12, warned that these pressures are converging at a time when many countries have little money left to absorb another crisis.