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5 March 2023 - DOHA – International business leaders, government officials and United Nations representatives will announce new partnerships for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) at a dedicated private sector forum during the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries which kicks off in the Qatari capital today.

The three-day forum will address a range of key issues, including access to finance, job creation, technology transfer, entrepreneur development, and longterm sustainability that will support implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, the ten-year compact that commits the world to a new generation of strengthened commitments for the LDCs.

"In the spirit of leaving no one behind, the Private Sector Forum represents an important opportunity to mobilize private sector support for the least developed countries to achieve their fullest potential," said Rabab Fatima, Secretary-General of the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries. "By fostering collaboration and partnerships, we can leverage the resources, expertise, and enterprising spirit of the private sector to help the least developed countries overcome the development challenges they face and build a more prosperous future for their citizens."

“Microsoft is a committed supporter of the UN and the delivery of the SDGs. As co-chair of the LDC5 Private Sector Forum, we believe that the private sector with partners can be a powerful and positive influence to help create opportunity for the people living in LDCs today,” said Chris Sharrock, Vice President, UN Affairs and International Organizations, Microsoft. “It is essential for us to innovate to make progress together, and LDC5 shows the key role the UN can play in building multistakeholder partnerships.”

Over the course of the forum, panel discussions and interactive sessions will focus on private sector partnerships in sustainable energy, agriculture, digital connectivity, climate change and sustainable tourism. Networking opportunities will allow participants to share best practices, exchange ideas, and identify solutions to advance private sector engagement in the LDCs.

The 46 LDCs comprise about 14% of the global population and are among the most vulnerable economies in the world. They account for only 1.3% of global gross domestic product, receive just 1.4% of total foreign direct investment and trade under 1% of world merchandise exports. While LDCs contribute less than 4% of greenhouse gas emissions, they pay a disproportionately high price in addressing climate change.

The private sector, both in LDCs and globally, are important stakeholders in diversifying exports in LDCs, helping to build stronger productive capacities and driving investments in LDCs that will support achieving global goals including the Sustainable Development Goals in this group of countries.

The Private Sector Forum at the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries is jointly organized by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and Microsoft, in partnership with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce.

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For more information on the Private Sector Forum, visit /ldc5/private-sector-forum

For media enquiries please contact: Damien Sass; sass@un.org

Notes

• The Doha Programme of Action can be read on the LDC5 website here.
• The LDCs are: Afghanistan; Angola; Bangladesh; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gambia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Haiti; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nepal; Niger; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Timor-Leste; Togo; Tuvalu; Uganda; United Republic of Tanzania; Yemen and Zambia. Vanuatu was the latest country to graduate from the category and did so in late 2020.
• To learn more about the Least Developed Country category and the criteria used for graduation, see the LDC5 website here.

Download the press release (PDF document)