Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - LLDCs

Bridging half trillion-dollar funding gap is key to connectivity for Landlocked Developing Countries

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 12:09:00 +0000

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USG Rabab Fatima addresses the ministerial conference in Awaza, Turkmenistan

OHRLLS

Border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of those developing countries without direct access to the sea, and only increased cooperation, digitalisation and investment can build their resilience against future crises.

So concluded transport ministers from Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) who gathered this week in Awaza, Turkmenistan, for a two-day conference on how to close the estimated $500bn finance gap that prevents them from building the sustainable transport infrastructure they need.

In reference to COVID-19, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an opening message to the conference, “the ensuing economic slowdown has curtailed the ability of governments to finance long-term infrastructure projects. We must work together to get transport back on track.”

It is often the case that the LLDCs – those countries that rely on transport more than any other group – tend to have poorly developed transit networks. This seeming contradiction is at the heart of their development challenge. With trade costs that are up to 50% higher than those of coastal developing countries, the finance to invest in sustainable transport can be hard to find.

The Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Mr Rashid Meredov, said, “Only through solidarity and mutual understanding and cooperation between our countries will we accomplish the connectivity needed to put us back on track towards the achievement of the priorities of the Vienna Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Over half a billion people live in the 32 landlocked developing countries and they were hit hard and in unique ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. When international borders closed, their structural and geographical vulnerabilities were laid bare. PPE, ventilators, and other response tools became extremely difficult to import, hampering response efforts. And exports decreased, resulting in a sharp decline in income.

Climate change, too, affects the LLDCs in particular ways: more disasters, higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, melting permafrost and desertification all represent major threats to transport infrastructure and services.

The High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms Rabab Fatima, whose office organised the conference with the Government of Turkmenistan, said, “The COVID economy, with its high inflation and global supply chain issues, have made it even more difficult for LLDCs to invest in transport connectivity. The only solution is a new, super-charged and creative drive for financing and partnerships for sustainable transport infrastructure in LLDCs.”

Ministers at the conference called for:

Greater collaboration on capacity building, data use, road safety, formulating bankable infrastructure projects, and the greater use of information and communication technologies in transport and transit systems.
The international community to urgently mobilize investments, technologies, and capacity-building for sustainable transport and for the use of pandemic recovery funds to be disbursed in favour of development of physical infrastructure for sustainable transport in LLDCs and transit countries.
Leveraging investment and financing for LLDCs’ transport infrastructure from all available sources, especially from development partners, international and regional financing institutions, and the private sector.
Increased investment and partnerships in climate resilient infrastructure and to increase the sustainability and resilience of transport systems in LLDCs and transit countries.

Under the theme, “Ashgabat Process: Financing for Better Connectivity”, the meeting brought together ministers of transport from Landlocked Developing Countries to tackle the challenge of getting their transport infrastructures up to speed. To reach global average railway and paved road density, more than 46,000 kilometres of railways and nearly 200,000 kilometres of paved roads need to be constructed.

The Conference is part of the preparatory process of Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs in 2024 and its outcome will contribute towards the thematic preparations for that meeting.

Ends.

For more information contact Conor O’Loughlin, Head of Advocacy & Outreach, UN-OHRLLS, conor.oloughlin@un.org

Notes to Editors:

The Vienna Programme of Action is a global compact to address the specific challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries and contribute to the eradication of poverty through improving six priority areas: efficient access to the sea; lower transport costs; infrastructure development and maintenance; simplifying rules and regulations; better use of data; and increased global trade.
The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) supports groups of vulnerable countries in the United Nations System. It is led by Under Secretary-General and High Representative Rabab Fatima.

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Statement to the Side event of the 83rd annual UNECE ITC session on the sustainability of transport and trade connectivity in the Caspian Sea region in the age of pandemics

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 19:23:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

24 February 2021
New York, USA

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be with you.

Your Excellency, Ambassador Atageldi Haljanov, thank you for inviting me to share some remarks.

First, I congratulate your country and its people on the 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan has followed along path of transformations since independence.

Your country and the Caspian Region have developed transport infrastructure networks which have evolved into important gateway corridors connecting the East to the West.

The ability to transport is at the very origin of humanity and more than ever transport networks are the key to sustainable development.

With the economic crises, and I would go as far as to say tragedies which we face globally as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, transport issues take on an even more important role.

Pandemics know no borders and the transport and trade sectors have not been spared.

This is why this side event on Sustainability of transport and trade connectivity in the Caspian Sea region in the age of pandemics is a timely topic for our discussion.

The Caspian Region supports many LLDCs in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

The impacts of COVID-19 on transport connectivity and trade are felt most in LLDCs which heavily rely on the transit of goods through neighboring countries.

Lockdowns and cross-border restrictions aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19 affect the smooth flow of essential goods and services to landlocked developing countries. The resulting delays imply ever higher trade costs. The drop in trade volumes is evident.

Agenda 2030 recognizes how transport connectivity is a key enabler for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, LLDCs faced high transport costs, cumbersome border procedures, and challenges in advancing sustainable transport solutions and closing missing links.

The global community advocates for a sustainable COVID-19 recovery and building back better.

For the LLDCs we do have action frameworks and action should build on the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs for the decade 2014 to 2024. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, there is a need to act!

The Programme of Action calls for the promotion of unhindered, efficient, and cost-effective access to and from the sea of LLDCs by all means of transport, based on the freedom of transit.

It also calls for enhanced transport infrastructure development and increased trade facilitation.

The High level Midterm Review of the Vienna Programme of Action was held in 2019.

The Midterm Review revealed that despite efforts, LLDCs remain marginalized in global trade, and are not effectively connected to major centres of economic activity. The Political Declaration adopted calls for greater efforts to effectively implement all relevant international, regional, and bilateral agreements to improve transit; promote corridor development; develop regionally integrated, sustainable, and climate resilient transport infrastructure; enhance trade facilitation; and to deepen regional integration.

Now is the opportunity to scale up our actions and invest in innovative transport solutions in response to the disruptions the pandemic has brought about.

Now is the opportunity to help LLDCs recover, but also prepare for an inclusive and sustainable path for future progress.

A key ingredient will have to be the strengthening of multimodal transit transport systems.

They need to be efficient, effective and resilient while promoting the health and safety of all and lay the basis for greater connectivity of LLDCs including during likely future pandemics.

This also means that we must look into much greater use of digital tools and technologies.

We should leverage, for example, electronic cargo tracking systems, the electronic exchange of information, paperless solutions, the use of mobile banking and payment systems, and digital solutions for cross-border facilitation such as the e-TIR and e-CMR. They are all means to shorten border crossing times and lower transport costs.

Some regions have set up coordinated common regionally harmonized approaches to border procedures and interventions in light of COVID-19.

They have enhanced transparency and information on transit and trade procedures to ensure the continued smooth flow of goods.

These are all initiatives we should promote as much as possible and they are in line with international standards.

Of course, in the immediate term, it is equally important to ensure fast access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for their systematic roll-out in the LLDCs, and with the COVAX initiative and the work led by WHO, we hope for this to happen sooner rather than later.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

Last year’s Annual Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries adopted a Ministerial Declaration that underscores the importance of enhanced coordination and solutions to the impacts of COVID-19 on transport connectivity and other sectors.

The General Assembly also adopted a Resolution on a Comprehensive and Coordinated Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Among the many issues stressed is the importance of facilitating transportation and logistical supply lines for LLDCs and enhancing the effective implementation of relevant international conventions and multilateral instruments on transport and transit.

UN-OHRLLS, on its part, will continue to advocate for enhanced transport connectivity of the LLDCs.

In 2020, we worked with the UN ECE, UN ESCAP, UN ECA, UN ECLAC, and UNCTAD on a joint statement to call for supply chains and transport networks for goods to LLDCs to remain open and functional and functioning, while being safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also issued a joint statement with World Customs Organisation on facilitating trade and transit during the pandemic.

Quite importantly, we coordinated the development of a Roadmap for Accelerated Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action.

The roadmap was adopted by the LLDC Ministers last year..

We now have a very concrete plan of action with clear activities and deliverables to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme.

Development of transport infrastructure and transit and trade facilitation are amongst the key action areas, with concrete projects in the region.

We will continue to be your strong advocate for enhanced cross-border collaboration and the strengthening of regional cooperation between landlocked developing countries and transit countries during and beyond the pandemic.

In concluding my remarks, let me take this opportunity to once again wish the Government and the people of Turkmenistan happy independence.

We look forward to a growing and productive relationship between Turkmenistan and OHRLLS.

I thank you.

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Remarks at High-level Event on Promoting Innovation and Infrastructure Development at the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 16:33:00 +0000

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

25 September 2019
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I thank you for the opportunity to join you at this third high-level event on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa.
Moderator, thank you for this very important question.

Building productive capacity lies at the core of what the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs is about. LDCs experience specific challenges in achieving their structural economic transformation. Their challenges are generally high vulnerability including to climate change, a narrow resource base for export opportunities, and the limited contribution of manufacturing to their economies. This for just a few of the challenges. This is where digital innovation, new technologies and the new landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have the potential to offer unique opportunities for the LDCs.

Allow me to take the example of access to broadband. This is an enabling technology. The effective use of broadband has been found to generate important positive economic impacts. And in some LDCs already it has shown to have even greater impact than in some developing countries. In their vast majority though, LDCs lag far behind in mobile-broadband subscriptions. Lag behind in the systematic use of broadband to address challenges of inclusive finance, governance, education and commerce, to name a few. This is a situation we must address. Every coin though has two sides. So we also must take a hard look and find appropriate policy responses regarding the possible negative impacts of emerging technologies, for example on employment, especially so on low-skilled workers, or indeed cyberthreats.

A further key enabler is of course infrastructure. Countless studies exist showing how appropriate infrastructure drives productive capacity and is at the core of diversifying economies. Energy infrastructure is particularly critical for achieving many - if not all - of the SDGs, for pro- active management of climate change impacts and for enabling sustainable industrial development. But I must stress that it is a MUST to ensure that infrastructure is built with sustainability and mitigation and resilience to climate change in mind!

Now, of course all this requires financing and technology access and the financing and technology access gaps are considerable to state it mildly. Foreign Direct Investment has to play a central role as it is is proven to be an important conduit for technology transfer. The reality though right now is that FDI flows to the vulnerable countries are declining.

Overall, I urge for greater and faster support by the international community. I urge LDCs to intensify work on attracting and retaining investment in sectors that lead to innovation spillover effects to the rest of their economies.

We know of the ingredients needed: adequate infrastructure, strong institutions, as well as access to information that will allow private companies to prepare robust business and investment plans.

My final point concerns the growing number of young people in LDCs. We must focus policies and action on giving them the skills, tools and opportunities needed to harness the potential gains from technology, and to spur innovation. If not, youth in these countries will simply left further behind with little horizons for hope.

Thank you.

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Opening Statement at the HLPF Side Event: "Partnerships for Accelerated Sustainable Energy Development and Enhanced Resilience Building"

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 16:14:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

12 July 2019
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Ensuring accessto affordable, reliable and modern energy for all isthe key driver, the key means to realizing key SDGs and to ultimately ensuring no one is left behind. In short, energy is both a basic human right and an enabler for sustainable development. It is key in improving livelihoods; enhancing industrialization and structural economic transformation; responding to the challenges of climate change , for fostering regional integration through regional power pools, and increasing trade facilitation that is so necessary for reducing the high trade costs that the LLDCs face. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set and so did the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs. They are not separate but complementary commitments made. Both stress the need to expand and upgrade infrastructure forsupply, transmission and distribution of modern and renewable energy servicesin rural and urban areas in LLDCs.

We are Midway in the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and we already are four years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yes, some progress has been achieved. But we must work more, we must work faster. The LLDCs continue to lag behind when we look at global averages. Yes, the average percentage of population with access to electricity in LLDCs increased from 49.5% in 2014 to 56.3% in 2017. At a global scale the average is at 88.8% in 2017. So more than 30 per cent higher!! Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking in LLDCs increased only marginally from 28.1% in 2015 to 28.8% in 2017.

Again, at the global level the average stood at 59.8% in 2017. These are averages - they are telling but they also hide significant intra- and intercountry variations and notably those between rural and urban areas. Now, add to this the high level of vulnerability of the LLDCs to the impacts of climate change. LLDCs are predominantly located in dryland regions where the impact of climate change is at best more pronounced and at worst catatstrophic.

Some LLDCs have a large proportion of their land in mountainous terrain suffering from land- and mudslides, flooding and given that LLDCs tend to be heavily dependent on climate-sensitive resources for agriculture, forestry, water, and fisheries, I let you imagine what this means for people's livelihoods. The adverse impacts of climate change already severely affect many LLDCs and make it all the more harder and complex for the LLDCs to achieve sustainable development. LLDCs do not at all lack the determination to transform their economies and societies into resilient and sustainable ones. They know that this is critical to translating the global community's climate change goals into reality. And we all know how it is modern, sustainable energy which is at the core of sustainability and resilience.

Affordable, scalable, renewable energy solutions are now accessible to give countries a chance to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient economies. Achieving this transition and increasing access requires a strong national vision, leadership, solid national strategies and implementation capacities together with requisite human and institutional capacities and above all financial resources. To make this happen, I see at the core an urgent need for greater partnerships. Partnerships at all levels - national public sector, the private sector, development partners, multilateral financial institutions, the United nations system and other international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations. Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen As I see it, we are at a critical juncture and we have a great strategic opportunity this year to push forward in ensuring we do not leave the LLDCs behind.

We have the High level Mid-term Review of the Vienna Programme of Action take place on 5 and 6 December 2019, here in New York. The high-level meeting will review progress and identify practical and forwardlooking ways and means to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and the SDGs. In my view, a lot of the success rests on having a solid and truly participatory process leading up to the meeting. We have already successfully concluded 3 regional preparatory meetings jointly organized with the UN Regional Economic Commissions in the Euro-Asia, Africa and Latin America regions.

Energy and climate change received considerable focus in all preparatory meetings, including the need to scale up investment, build capacity and enhance the enabling environment for expanding renewable energy in LLDCs. So, it is against this background that I do look forward to our discussion today. I look forward to hearing about experiences on how different partnerships have or can support LLDCs to accelerate sustainable energy development and enhanced resilience building to climate change. The outcome of today's discussions will feed into the preparatory process of the midterm review. I assure you that OHRLLS is very committed to closely working with the LLDCs and all partners to support effective implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achievement of the SDGs.

To conclude, allow me to share with you a policy brief on landlocked developing countries that my office and partners have prepared as part of the work of the SDG7 Technical Advisory Group to contribute to the upcoming midterm reviews. I thank you

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Statement at the Side Event of Aid for Trade Global Review

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 16:45:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

4 July 2019
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

We all know how since the earliest days of humankind, trade is a powerful engine for growth. Trade is a key element for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development embodies ambitious targets related to international trade. This includes increasing the exports of developing countries and doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports! The Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs, which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda, already agreed on ambitious trade targets. The VPoA - as we say - foresees a significant increase of the participation of LLDCS in global trade and very importantly strengthened value added and manufacturing components of exports of LLDCs.

We are midway in the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action, we are four years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are not moving fast enough at all! The targets set continue to be ever more in further and further reach. If we continue on this path, we will not keep promises made. Instead, we will have to witness the perpetuation and deepening of the long-standing marginalization of LLDCs from international trade.

The LLDCs’ share of merchandise exports declined from about 1.2 percent in 2013 to an estimated 0.98 percent in 2018. LLDCs’ exports continue to be concentrated on a few commodities, mostly natural resources, exported at low value addition and low technology content and with limited employment generation opportunities. Geographic features such as the long and thus very costly distances to and from the nearest seaports coupled with a lack of critical transport infrastructure both in LLDCs and transit countries just do not help! We continue to see productive capacity constraints, and additional border crossings entailing complex procedures all resulting in high if not excessive trade costs in turn marginalizing the LLDCs.

Now, it is fairly elementary to say that high costs reduce competitiveness, diminish export profits, inflate prices of imported inputs for manufacturing, push up the costs of imported capital goods, and discourage investment. But all this continues to undermine the efforts of LLDCs to accelerate sustainable development and benefit from global flows of knowledge, technology, capital and innovation. LLDCs truly are our litmus test whether or not our promise to " leave no one behind " will be just that - a promise - or will be reality! 3 It is thus with urgency that we must address the high trade costs faced by LLDCs. This is a key driver on the road to achieving economic diversification and inclusive and sustainable development by and for LLDCs. Accelerating the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement as well as other trade facilitation initiatives by LLDCs and transit countries is vital. Most LLDCs have ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. LLDCS have shown how critical an importance they attach to this agreement.

The LLDCs have also become more active participants in regional integration and cooperation efforts. This is a good first step but results from these efforts are still to be realized. All this and more make it urgent that we explore how the persistent high trade costs faced by LLDCs can be adequately addressed and overcome! Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen As part of strategic actions we must engage in now and with a sense of urgency, let me brief you on the mid-term review of the Vienna Programme of Action as mandated by the UN General Assembly. T

his review will be held on 5 and 6 December 2019 in New York. The review is aimed at identifying practical and forward-looking ways and means to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and the SDGs. The implementation of the Vienna Programme is all about bringing tangible impact to the wellbeing of 503 million people in LLDCs. They represent almost 7% of the world’s population. Our session is one of the VPoA midterm review process preconference events. The recommendations from this session are important. Here is your, our chance to contribute to facilitating the achievement of objectives of the VPoA in the remaining five years of its implementation. I look forward to listening to you and a rich exchange of ideas and action proposals. Thank you.

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Opening Remarks at the Side Event on Fostering the Participation of LLDCS in the Ocean Economy

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 20:49:00 +0000

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

17 June 2019
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The Ocean is an important part of humanity and a common heritage to mankind. The ocean makes about seventy-one percent of the Earth’s surface and billions of people depend on the oceans for their livelihoods. Maritime transport remains an essential part of international trade as over 90% is carried by the seas, according to the United Nations International Maritime Organization. It is estimated that the value of key ocean assets is US$24 trillion, with an annual value of goods and services at US$2.5 trillion.

Due to its significance, the ocean economy, is growing in importance and gaining momentum amongst policymakers across the world. Participation in the ocean economy and the global discussions on the ocean economy are however not fully inclusive and not fully understood. The participation of landlocked developing countries continue to be limited.

Excellencies and distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen

Landlocked countries are not directly connected to the oceans due to their geographical location, but the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea gives them rights to access and to use the ocean space including the marine resources. Some of the provisions that give the right to access and to utilize the Oceans by the landlocked countries include: article 69 on Right of land-locked States, Article 125 on Right of access to and from the sea and freedom of transit, Article 136 on Common heritage to mankind and Article 140 on Benefit of mankind. UNCLOS also states that the Area and its resources are common heritage of mankind and activities in the Area are to be carried out for the benefit of mankind as a whole irrespective of the geographical location of States. It is therefore necessary that no country, including LLDCs, should be left behind in the exploitation of the resources regarded as common heritage to mankind.

Out of the forty-four landlocked states, twenty-eight have ratified the UNCLOS and twenty of these countries are Landlocked Developing Countries. Six LLDCs have signed the Convention but have not ratified it and six have neither signed nor acceded to the Convention or the Agreement.

While twenty LLDCs are parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea their participation in the ocean economy, including in the meetings related to the implementation of UNCLOS, is however limited. The limited participation of these countries can be attributed to several reasons such as limited resources, lack of awareness and challenges of access. LLDCs are also faced with transit challenges, which include inadequate transit infrastructure and cumbersome transit procedures. Challenges in accessing the sea greatly affect the participation of the LLDCs in international trade and achieving sustainable development. It is therefore important to enhance access and freedom of transit of the LLDCs so that they can be integrated into global trade and into the blue economy. The implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and other international and regional agreements that can facilitate transit is therefore fundamental. These include the Revised Kyoto Convention (2006), World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The development of transit infrastructure is also fundamental in this regard.

OHRLLS, in collaboration with transit countries, development partners and relevant international organizations continues to make efforts to facilitate the integration of the LLDCs into the global economy. OHRLLS continues to advocate for efficient transit for LLDCs to access the sea and has previously organized events to discuss these issues and some of the recent events include a side event on importance of Efficient transit cooperation for the achievement of the SDGs by Landlocked Developing Countries held in 2017; a Side event at the Global Sustainable Transport Conference on Financing Sustainable Transport Infrastructure for enhancing Connectivity of the LLDCs; side event held during the Ocean Conference in 2017 on “Enhancing the participation of the Landlocked States in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14”, a High-Level Meeting for the Euro-Asia Region on Improving Cooperation on Transit, Trade Facilitation and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development held in 2017 and Ministerial Meeting of LLDCs on Trade and Transport held in 2018. OHRLLS also published several reports on improving transit cooperation and trade facilitation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are integrated, indivisible, and universal. The initiatives to implement SDG 14 on conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources should therefore include landlocked countries. It is therefore fundamental to build their capacity to participate in the ocean economy and ensure that no one is left behind.

Today’s event is organized to deliberate on how access to the sea as well as the participation of the landlocked countries in the blue economy can be enhanced. Integrating these countries will ensure that they are not left behind including in taking part in the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and marine resources.

I look forward to our dialogue and recommendations on how we can foster the participation of LLDCs in the Ocean Economy.

I thank you for your kind attention.

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Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs for the Decade 2014-2024

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 20:45:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

12 June 2019
Santiago, Chile

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address this Closing Session of the Latin America Mid Term Review of the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Land Locked Developing Countries.

I thank H.E Mr. Julio Arriola Ramirez, Permanent Representative of Paraguay to the United Nations and Chair of this meeting for efficiently steering this meeting to a very successful outcome.

In also thank him for his leadership as the global Chair of the Group of LLDCs in New York.

I wish to thank all participants and panelists for your active participation and contribution to the success of this meeting.

Over the last two days, we have heard excellent discussions between LLDCs, transit countries and development partners, and UN agencies on the progress as well as challenges in the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region.

There was a convergence of opinion that tangible progress has been made on the priority areas in this region.

It is commendable that the two LLDCs in the region and the five transit countries have all ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The effective implementation of the TFA and regional and sub-regional agreements will facilitate faster, smoother and more efficient transit.

Amongst others, there was clear call for more to be done to build capacity of the LLDCs to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement and to increase intra-regional trade by strengthening productive linkages and supporting the development of supply chains within the region.

There has also been progress on inland waterways with more ports being built and the recently signed Additional Protocolof the River Transport Agreement’s for the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway.

We need to maintain and enhance these positive trends.

You also identified the key challenges and areas concerted efforts are needed.

It is commendable that economic structuraltransformation has been placed at the center of LLDC’s national development plans, and that they made some progress towards structural economic transformation. The discussions underscored the need for continued efforts to accelerate structural economic transformation.

Export diversification in both products and markets needs greater efforts.

Additional efforts are needed to support and enable the private sector, micro, small and medium sized enterprises, to grow and bring about structural transformation.

LLDCs also need to undertake policy changes required to achieve this shift.

The LLDCs’ ability to attract and retain investment, including FDI, remains a challenge. FDI flows are directed towards the extractive sector with limited potential for employment creation or skills building.

It was noted that the effects of climate change are having a huge impact on the economies of the LLDCs.

Limited financial resources, institutional bottlenecks and limited skilled human resources remain major constraints.

As we move forward toward the High-Level Midterm review of the VPoA, we need to keep strong emphasis on partnerships by all stakeholders including LLDCs, transit countries, development partners, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to thank the co-facilitators- the Permanent Representatives of Austria and Bhutan- I trust that you will take forward the outcome of this meeting into the negotiations of the outcome of the MTR.

I also wish to thank the transit countries and the development partners for your active participation and contribution.

I thank the representatives of the UN-system organizations as well as representatives of other international and regional organizations for your participation and important contributions to the deliberations of this meeting.

A very special thanks goes to UN-ECLAC for co-organizing the meeting, and for all the important work that you do in this region.

Last but not least, I wish to thank and express my gratitude to the interpreters for the good work and for making it possible for us to have fruitful deliberations.

I look forward to continuing collaborating closely with all of you in this preparatory process leading to MTR in December 2019.

I assure you of UN-OHRLLS support to your endeavors.

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Closing Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 18:17:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

12 June 2019
Santiago, Chile

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address this Closing Session of the Latin America Mid Term Review of the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Land Locked Developing Countries. I thank H.E Mr. Julio Arriola Ramirez, Permanent Representative of Paraguay to the United Nations and Chair of this meeting for efficiently steering this meeting to a very successful outcome. In also thank him for his leadership as the global Chair of the Group of LLDCs in New York. I wish to thank all participants and panelists for your active participation and contribution to the success of this meeting. Over the last two days, we have heard excellent discussions between LLDCs, transit countries and development partners, and UN agencies on the progress as well as challenges in the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region.

The Latin America regional report, the chair’s summary and the presentations and discussions in this meeting have clearly outlined both the trends as well as the challenges that the region faces in implementing the Vienna Programme. There was a convergence of opinion that tangible progress has been made on the priority areas in this region. It is commendable that the two LLDCs in the region and the five transit countries have all ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The effective implementation of the TFA and regional and sub-regional agreements will facilitate faster, smoother and more efficient transit. Amongst others, there was clear call for more to be done to build capacity of the LLDCs to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement and to increase intra-regional trade by strengthening productive linkages and supporting the development of supply chains within the region.

There has been progress on closing missing links, expanding and upgrading the road and railway network, energy generation and ICT infrastructure. Bolivia and Paraguay are participating in Latin America’s most ambitious regional corridor integration project connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America. There has also been progress on inland waterways with more ports being built and the recently signed Additional Protocolof the River Transport Agreement’s for the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway. We need to maintain and enhance these positive trends. You also identified the key challenges and areas concerted efforts are needed. It is commendable that economic structuraltransformation has been placed at the center of LLDC’s national development plans, and that they made some progress towards structural economic transformation.

The discussions underscored the need for continued efforts to accelerate structural economic transformation. Export diversification in both products and markets needs greater efforts. Additional efforts are needed to support and enable the private sector, micro, small and medium sized enterprises, to grow and bring about structural transformation. LLDCs also need to undertake policy changes required to achieve this shift. The LLDCs’ ability to attract and retain investment, including FDI, remains a challenge. FDI flows are directed towards the extractive sector with limited potential for employment creation or skills building. It was noted that the effects of climate change are having a huge impact on the economies of the LLDCs.

Limited financial resources, institutional bottlenecks and limited skilled human resourcesremain major constraints. As we move forward toward the High-Level Midterm review of the VPoA, we need to keep strongemphasis on partnerships by allstakeholdersincluding LLDCs, transit countries, development partners, the United Nations and other international and regional organizations. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to thank the co-facilitators- the Permanent Representatives of Austria and Bhutan- I trust that you will take forward the outcome of this meeting into the negotiations of the outcome of the MTR. I also wish to thank the transit countries and the development partnersfor your active participation and contribution. Ithank the representatives ofthe UN-system organizations as well asrepresentatives of other international and regional organizations for your participation and important contributions to the deliberations of this meeting.

A very special thanks goes to UN-ECLAC for co-organizing the meeting, and for all the important work that you do in this region. Last but not least, I wish to thank and express my gratitude to the interpretersfor the good work and for making it possible for us to have fruitful deliberations. I look forward to continuing collaborating closely with all of you in this preparatory processleading to MTR in December 2019. I assure you of UN-OHRLLS support to your endeavors

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Opening Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:39:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

11 June 2019
Santiago, Chile

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

A warm welcome to our Latin America Mid Term Review meeting! I first must express my gratitude to Ms. Alicia Bárcena and the staff of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Thank you for your excellent partnership in organizing this meeting. I am very honored to be here with you at the Commission. A Commission which is known for many decades for its innovative and inspiring work.

You are a vital a partner for the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda. I also deeply thank Paraguay for your important role in the organization of our meeting and for your leadership as the global Chair of the Group of LLDCs. What a great level of participation. It is good to see the interest from landlocked and transit countries, from the development partners of LLDCs and all stakeholders from the region- I am encouraged! Ladies and Gentlemen, In 2014, we adopted the Vienna Programme of Action. You, the member states, committed to a forward-looking development agenda for LLDCs demanding action in critical areas over the decade 2014-2024. Five years have since gone by. Yes, the clock is turning fast. today, this year we meet at a strategic moment in the implementation of the programme.

A moment we must seize. We must assess our progress, our failures, gaps, and above all identify the way forward. We must identify practical, workable and forward-looking ways and means to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. These are not separate goals they all are mutually reinforcing goals on which the clock is ticking and asking us to accelerate action. We just have a short five years left to ensure that the priorities of the VPoA are more than words - they must be turned into results. I would say, the glass is half full. In the last five years, LLDCs have made some progress towards achieving the goals of the VPoA. BUT! that progress is however not sufficient to meet the VPoA or the agenda 2030 goals. Effort is needed NOW. It will have to be considerable effort. This also demands commensurate resources to achieve the VPoA and SDG targets by 2030. Otherwise, LLDCs will be left behind. So, where do we stand?

Allow me to highlight some key features of where the situation at mid- term of the programme stands. While this may look like almost a " laundry list " of action items, these are not isolated issues. These all are truly interconnected issues to manage. As we know, trade and related transit measures are strategic drivers for LLDCs' efforts to advance their economies and with this sustainable growth. We can see progress. For example, 24 out of 26 LLDCs that are WTO Members have ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. In the LAC region, two landlocked countries and all 5 transit countries ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. This is encouraging. It is testimony to the LLDCs’ and transit countries’ commitment to improving trade facilitation and addressing the high trade costs of the region. As we know too well, agreements are a first step and it is implementation that makes matters move, that must happen. I see it as very important to ensure that the actual implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreements advances.

It is the only way to realize the benefits of signing the agreements. At the same time, it is clear that for this process to accelerate, much more needs to be done to build the capacity of the LLDCs to implement their Trade Facilitation Agreements. From a macro perspective, the LLDCs’ trade integration does indeed remain low. LLDCs account for less than 1% of global exports. In 2018, the share of global exports of the 34 transit countries’was 22.7 per cent. These figures hide that exports remain concentrated around a few primary commodities and natural resources still generating low value- added from a domestic development perspective. That is a critical issue. It is linked in some measure to the LLDC’s continuing high trade costs. Both are fundamental issues we must tackle if we truly wish to see the integration of the LLDCs into global trade. And again linked to this is of course the issue of transport. It is highly encouraging to see that the Andean Community of Nations and the Latin American Integration Association are seeking to simplify cross border land transport throughout South America.

As I said before, appropriate and therefore upgraded infrastructure is and always has been a key developmental driver. It is a most positive step forward to see that the LLDCs and transit countries have invested in efforts to expand and upgrade the road and railway network over the review period. Just as inter- regional transport networks matter, domestic transport networks are equally if not by times more so key to transformation and development. On inland water transport, the recently signed River Transport Agreement’s additional Protocols further contributes to the predictability, stability, and legal security of investments made along the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway. These are all encouraging actions but the need for more work to improve physical connectivity of the LLDCs remains and it more than ever urgent. With being landlocked, we too often see considerable lag in overcoming poverty and achieving inclusive sustainable development.

Now add to this the often disproportionally destructive impacts of climate change with all the consequences on people's livelihoods and the LLDCs` economies. Poverty in the LLDC remains three times higher than the global average of 10.9 per cent. Real GDP growth declined from 5.6 per cent in 2014 to 4.5 per cent % in 2017. Many LLDCs have placed economic transformation at the core of their national development plans as a key condition for poverty eradication. The desired structural transformation however is slow. The challenge may well be to focus on high-productivity sectors with modern higher valueadded products and industrialize the agriculture sector. This in turn demands more effort to support and enable the private sector, micro, small and medium sized enterprises, to grow and fully participate in structural transformation. This implies a need for policy changes but also is an area where regional cooperation holds great promise.

I myself come from a very small nation and believe me the notion of " achieving economies of scale " is there every day when you come from a small, remote nation! Regional cooperation indeed holds this great potential to achieve economies of scale, to strengthen trade and transit facilitation, and promote joint infrastructure projects and enhance connectivity. Take Paraguay who is party to nine regional trade agreements aimed at facilitating trade. These agreements on transit and trade facilitation will, I am sure, yield great benefits and expedite trade across borders. As we all know, we have a fourth industrial revolution, So , a further critical " must catch up " are concerns ICT. The development and adoption of ICT holds great potential in so many areas. As I just talked about trade only, just picture what ICT can achieve in simplifying customs formalities and controls. Investing in and leveraging the potential of the ever more rapid digital evolution is of great importance to LLDCs and where we must ensure not to leave LLDCs behind. And a last but certainly not the least factor I must address is that of capacity and financial resources. Capacity constraints and access to adequate financial resources remain fundamental challenges that the LLDCs face in their efforts to achieve inclusive sustained growth and sustainable development.

The situation is no different in Latin America. ODA as such remains focused on just a few LLDCs and the LLDCs own ability to attract and retain investment, including FDI, remains a challenge. Most of the FDI flows are directed towards the extractive sector with limited potential for employment creation or skills building leave alone increased value- added. Capacity constraints are partly driving this situation and I will come back to this. We all now must rally as partners and support the development efforts of LLDCs. One the one hand, the mobilization of resources through sources of financing such as publicprivate partnerships, infrastructure investment funds, and South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation, must be much more tapped into. They are bold and innovative means to achieve the VPoA. At the same time, we must step up capacity building while being mindful also of simplification. Since I took office, I have made a consistent call for simplified access to and accelerated disbursement of finances available to countries and their peoples most left at risk to once more being left behind! We can do this without compromising on transparency and accountability.

Ladies and Gentlemen We are halfway through the VPoA. It is clear that more needs to be done on many fronts to support the LLDCs. It needs to be done fast and with innovative ideas! And, the challenge at hand demands for us to work TOGETHER. We must collectively work towards ensuring that the LLDCs and their peoples are not left behind. Ladies and Gentlemen Allow me now to turn to a final point. It may sound like housekeeping but how we now in a participatory and inclusive way use the process leading to the High-level Comprehensive midterm review to be held in December 2019 in New York is very important. The President of the General Assembly has appointed the Permanent Representatives of Austria and Bhutan as co-facilitators for the midterm review. The co-facilitators are here with us in this regional meeting. Thank you for being here and thank you for having participated in the EuroAsia and Africa regional review meetings.

The presence of the co-facilitators, and the Bureau members at our meeting will ensure that discussions are brought to the full attention of the intergovernmental negotiations in New York. As far as national level preparations are concerned, we received national reports from 20 LLDCs. The national reports are a significant input into global preparations. OHRLLS in collaboration with partners is organizing thematic events on key issues in the LLDCs. The Ministerial Meeting of LLDCs on Trade and Transport that was held in Kazakhstan in May last year kicked off the preparatory process. Further thematic preconference events that have been organized addressed energy, aviation, foreign direct investment, climate change, transit and border cooperation, ICT connectivity and science, technology and innovation for structural transformation. Additional preconference thematic events are in the pipeline and concerns trade facilitation; trade and transport corridors and consultative preconference event on LLDC priorities with the World Bank.

As dialogue, exchange, inclusiveness are key here, OHRLLS organized a dedicated retreat at headquarters bringing together LLDCs, transit countries, development partners and international organizations. This retreat had one objective: exchange views and consult on the elements of the outcome document of the Midterm Review. OHRLLS in cooperation with the Regional Commissions implements a project on “Strengthening the capacity of LLDCs under the Belt and Road Initiative to design and implement policies that promote transport connectivity for the achievement of the SDGs”. The project funded by the Government of China provided the resources that OHRLLS used to contribute to the organization of this regional review meeting.

I express my appreciation to the Government of China. And once more I thank my colleague, Alicia Barcena, for hosting us all! Ladies and gentlemen, Your active participation, your support will no doubt ensure that the outcome of this meeting will be one of action driven and pragmatic recommendations so that we come through on the promises the VPoA and Agenda 2030 make to leave no one behind.

Muchas gracias!nd gentlemen

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Latin America and Caribbean Regional Meeting to Review Vienna Programme of Action Begins in Santiago

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:52:00 +0000

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Group photo following the opening session. Photo: UNECLAC

UNECLAC

SANTIAGO, 11 June 2019 – Midway through the ten-year programme of action for the world’s thirty-two landlocked developing countries, officials from landlocked and transit countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region are meeting to take stock of their collective progress in implementing the Vienna Programme of Action.

The two-day meeting is bringing together senior government officials from landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), transit countries, development partners as well as representatives from the United Nations to share best practices and lessons learned over the last five years.

The meeting is seen as an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned on a host of issues including: improving connectivity through policy coordination and harmonization, improving transport connectivity, sustainable energy, regional integration, increasing trade potential and promoting trade facilitation as well as progress on structural economic transformation and industrialization.

The meeting is expected to produce an outcome, in the form of a Chair’s Summary, which will lay out concrete deliverables.

The regional meeting is the third and final meeting before the Midterm Review of the Vienna Programme of Action which will take place in December 2019 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Full press release by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean: Link

Further information about the meeting: http://www.lldc2conference.org/latin-america-regional-midterm-review/

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Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - LLDCs

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Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs for the Decade 2014-2024

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

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Closing Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

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Opening Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

11 June 2019 Santiago, Chile

Latin America and Caribbean Regional Meeting to Review Vienna Programme of Action Begins in Santiago

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24 February 2021
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25 September 2019
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12 July 2019
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17 June 2019
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12 June 2019
Santiago, Chile

12 June 2019
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11 June 2019
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