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

A Guide to Least Developed Country Graduation (2022)

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 18:21:00 +0000

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Graduation Booklet (2022)

NEW: 2022 Graduation Booklet is published!

Graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category is a key milestone in the sustainable development progress of a country and requires support from all its stakeholders.

This publication gives a succinct but comprehensive overview of the graduation process for LDCs, including graduation criteria and steps. It also provides additional sources of information and support.

It is being translated into French, please stay tuned!

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Facing Multiple Crises, Africa’s Most Vulnerable Nations Call on International Community for Greater Support

HSASS — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:07:00 +0000

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COVID-19 testing, Madagascar

World Bank / Henitsoa Rafalia

26 February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, trade barriers and debt distress are some of the major challenges debated at a high-level meeting of ministers from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of Africa and Haiti this week.

Over the past five days, leaders of African nations and Haiti, development partners, civil society, private sector and representatives of the United Nations deliberated over progress by Africa’s least developed countries (LDCs) in achieving sustainable development, and what new policies and support measures are required to build a resilient future.

“The LDC members’ GDP shrank by 1.3 per cent in 2020, thereby increasing the number of poor households and worsening inequality between and within countries, with disproportionate effects on women,” said Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, opening the meeting. "The Pandemic has exposed our limitations in the fields of science, technology and innovations, which has laid bare the digital and technological divide between nations.”

Across the LDCs, the pandemic is projected to force an additional 32 million people into poverty. For Africa’s LDCs, the pandemic has jeopardized hard-won development gains. In the three years prior to the pandemic, African LDCs achieved steady real average GDP growth of 3.9 per cent – slightly above the global average of 3.4 per cent. However, as a result of the pandemic, projections indicate real GDP growth of African LDCs to contract by 1.5 per cent in 2020.

Besides impacts on economies, previous gains made in gender equality, poverty reduction and reducing inequalities are at risk, putting additional pressure on already vulnerable nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

A declaration agreed at the conclusion of the week, recognised that “a successful, renewed and strengthened global partnership that effectively addresses the special needs of African LDCs will contribute to the cause of peace, prosperity and sustainable development for all.” Furthermore, the declaration affirmed the commitment by African LDCs to strengthen healthcare systems, bolster research and development, empower women and provide a rapidly growing youth population with greater prospects for a decent life. They also called for the immediate establishment of a global stimulus package to address the impacts of COVID-19 and on development partners to support them in achieving global development goals.

“My take-away from the past five days is there is a tremendous sense of hope expressed by leaders from Africa and Haiti, and the inspiring youth representatives, of the sheer determination to forge ahead towards a more resilient and prosperous future,” said the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing Sates Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu.
The conclusion of the Africa Regional Review meeting, hosted by the Government of Malawi, kicks off a series of meetings and events leading to the the landmark Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) taking place in Doha, Qatar in early 2022.
The conference will set the development agenda for the LDCs for the coming decade and occur as they redouble their efforts to achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“We are very confident this conference will enormously contribute to meeting the needs of these countries and supporting their journey towards achieving their development goals over the next ten years,” said Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar and host of the LDC5 Conference.

The coming months will see a similar regional review meeting for LDCs in the Asia and Pacific region and the commencement of inter-governmental negotiations on the next programme of action for the LDCs which is expected to be adopted in Doha next year.

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As a Global Crisis Continues, Africa’s Most Vulnerable Nations Set Development Priorities for an Equitable and Resilient Future

HSASS — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:08:40 +0000

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COVID-19 testing, Madagascar

World Bank / Henitsoa Rafalia

Press Release

As multiple crises swirl, from COVID-19 to climate change and debt, Africa’s 33 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are gathering to assess the state of their development goals and agree how best to get back on track.

Hosted by the Government of Malawi from 22 to 26 February, LDC ministers will meet virtually and discuss common priorities to feed into the landmark Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in early 2022, at which the next decade's development agenda for LDCs will be set.

“The least developed countries may be among the weakest and poorest of the global family, but we represent a vast reservoir of untapped potential.” said H.E. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi. “Ahead of us, is a critical opportunity to reshape the development landscape to one that is equitable and leaves no one behind. As we pave the way towards the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the Africa Regional Review meeting is the moment to voice our collective vision for the conference and agree our common priorities for a resilient and prosperous future.”

The meeting brings together LDCs from Africa and Haiti, development partner countries, international financial institutions, the UN and civil society for five days of meetings and thematic discussions. Topics under discussion will range from overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and tackling the climate crisis to strengthening trade and building more peaceful and inclusive societies which includes the full participation of women and youth.

Global turmoil wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic forms the backdrop to this meeting, which was originally intended to take place in person in March of 2020.

The pandemic has been particularly challenging for LDCs and their economies. Commodity prices have fallen dramatically and disruptions are widespread in manufacturing value chains. International tourism, a major lifeline, has come to a standstill. The result has been a sharp reduction in GDP growth, placing economies and livelihoods on the brink of ruin. Together with widening deficits, unsustainable debt, and a drop in Foreign Direct Investment and remittances, the impacts of COVID-19 have led to an increase in poverty and will jeopardize hard won development gains for years to come.

The UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu said: “We may be in the midst of a global health and economic crisis, but Africa’s LDCs have long been on the frontlines of the fight against poverty and other global crises. The international community needs to live up to its promise to support LDCs in achieving global goals and to make sure that the next development agenda for LDCs is truly transformational.

Before COVID-19, African LDCs and Haiti had been making progress in implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action from 2011, though from very low baselines and with large variations across the 34 countries. Both man-made and natural crises remain prevalent and risk derailing progress. High and recently increasing poverty rates, inequality, civil strife and political instability are widespread.

Without strong and purposeful governance that aspires towards structural transformation and sustainable development, economic and social outcomes in these LDCs will remain weak.

/Ends.

A virtual briefing for the media was held on 17 February 2021 by the Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, and the United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu.

Notes:

The Africa Regional Review meeting is co-organised by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States and the Economic Commission for Africa. It is hosted by the Government of Malawi.
The outcome of the Africa Regional Review meeting will be a ministerial declaration negotiated by the African LDCs and Haiti. The outcome is expected to outline the expected components of a renewed partnership or sustainable development between the LDCs and their development partners and will be endorsed at the 53rd ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which is scheduled for 17-23 March 2021. Furthermore, the meeting outcome will inform the Preparatory Committee Meetings for the LDC5 Conference to be held in New York on 24-28 May 2021 and 26-30 July2021
The Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 23 to 27 January 2022. The conference will assess progress made towards the Istanbul Programme of Action by the LDCs and their development partners as well as mobilising additional international support for the LDCs. The conference is also expected to agree on a renewed partnership for development between the LDCs and their development partners and relevant stakeholders including the private sector and civil society.
The 33 Least Developed Countries in Africa are: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.

For the purposes of this regional review, Haiti will be included in the meeting.

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Young People’s Potential, the Key to Africa’s Sustainable Development

HSASS — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:58:00 +0000

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Youth Envoy discusses youth participation in the implementation of the SDGs with Zambian young leaders

Jason J Mulikita, UN Youth Envoy

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. Such a high number of young people is an opportunity for the continent’s growth – but only if these new generations are fully empowered to realise their best potential. It is especially important that young people are included in decision making and given appropriate opportunities for work and to innovate.

Involving young people in politics and society is not merely a question of inclusion, but one that is vital for economic growth, innovation, peace and security.

The Africa Regional Review – the regional preparatory meeting for LDC5 held virtually in Malawi this week – has ensured a seat at the table for young people.

Young speakers from civil society are speaking alongisde ministers and other leaders, and the agenda features a dedicated event on young people’s role in achieving sustainable development.

Crucially the outcome document of the Review will also include dedicated recommendations and priorities from young people.

“It is important that youth is involved in decision making. It is important that we as young people are recognised as equal partners and as right holders – Not only as victims”, said Nickson Kasolene, the youth and civil society representative of the Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO).

Having a young population brings many opportunities for economic growth and innovation, if these opportunities can be recognised and utilised.

“Engage youth, create a space for them and give them a seat at the table,” Nickson told us in an interview. "Don’t just offer this seat passively, but empower young people to actually use it. Young people have potential and young people have collective power, with the guidance of the government they can use that power.”

In many countries outside of Africa, countries with ageing populations are facing high healthcare costs and a shortage of skilled labour. In Africa, young people face underemployment and lack of opportunities – or, without access to the internet, the lack of information about any opportunities.

Young people are contributing daily to the benefit of their communities and nations across Africa. From providing support to the elderly, to advocating for justice and equality, young people have proven their centrality to building and sustaining healthy communities.

Nickson, who is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, notes that young people have the possibility to drive peace in areas that are already affected by conflict: “Young people are so strong and think, ‘if we decide to do something we will action immediately’”.

What motivates Nickson in engaging fellow young people is what he refers to as “the duty of development” to achieve better living conditions.

He concludes, “Being involved makes you feel concerned about the problems in the community – and pushes you to have a positive social impact.”

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Africa Regional Review Meeting

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:21:00 +0000

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Statement on the Ministerial Roundtable for National Energy Planning and Implementation for Fostering Energy Transition

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 20:20:00 +0000

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

19 January 2021
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to join your important discussion.

As we all know it is the small island developing states, the least developed countries and the landlocked developing countries are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The irony is of course that they have least contributed to greenhouse gas concentrations.

And notwithstanding their many challenges, they are also at the forefront of climate action.

This was again demonstrated during the Secretary-General’s Summit on Climate Change .

The SIDS and the LDCs made commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

UN-OHRLLS together with UNDP and UN Energy support the implementation of these initiatives.

Some of you have heard me say this before but I cannot stress enough how acceleration of the SDG 7 achievement in alignment with SDG 13 on climate change and the Paris Agreement is a top priority for my office.

UN-OHRLLS is committed to mobilize resources and build partnerships to give a helping hand to energy transition in the most vulnerable countries.

Allow me to share one example.

In 2019, together with the Government of Malawi and the Rocky Mountain Institute, OHRLLS launched a study which shows how through whole-system energy investment planning countries such as Malawi can achieve SDG through the use of abundant renewable resources.

The study identifies least-cost pathways for developing this infrastructure. It shows how US$3 billion of investment, from a range of sources, can make this possible.

We now work with the UN Office in Malawi to support the government to implement the recommendations of this study.

The effort was well received, and we are now looking to scale up this study to cover the LDC group as a whole.

Our aim is to develop broad policy recommendations and advocacy tools so that other countries can benefit from the experiences and approaches adopted in Malawi.

Quite importantly, all this will feed into the thematic preparations for the upcoming LDC5 Conference in Qatar, Doha in January 2022.

The Conference is a strategic opportunity to place sustainable energy as a thematic priority for a new 10-year programme for the LDCs.

I can already share with you that the private sector track of the LDC5 Conference will have dedicated sessions on Energy and Climate Change.

The goal is to generate new partnerships to support energy transition and climate action in the LDCs.

If we want to be successful, we must engage with all stakeholders in this important process.

You state that a global energy transition is underway.

Unfortunately, the most vulnerable countries to date rarely benefit from the ongoing large-scale investments. Progress remains largely concentrated in the more advanced developing and middle-income countries.

So, we really must do more because there is a tremendous growth potential in the energy sector in the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. Their endowments with natural resources such as solar, hydro, geothermal and wind are tremendous.

What is now required is a radical change of pace, massive investments in the energy sector and capacity building over the next few years.

Let me add that in the context of COVID recovery, there is great opportunity for governments to center recovery plans on energy transition. We all know how energy transition is a conduit for poverty alleviation, increasing resilience of healthcare systems including in fighting this and future pandemics and to build back better.

It is now that countries need strong support from the international community.

We must be there to improve access to finance, build capacity and assist developers in the preparation of bankable renewable energy projects.

Urgent action is also required to strengthen or develop enabling environments and institutional frameworks.

I think these are all actions that can help to further expand and deepen initiatives such as IRENA’s SIDS Lighthouse Initiative.

IRENA is indeed a key partner in enhancing support to the most vulnerable countries.

Building on our strong collaboration, IRENA and UN-OHRLLS signed a Memorandum of Understanding on areas of cooperation focusing on energy connectivity, supporting NDCs, just transition and harnessing energy’s interlinkages with other SDGs over the next few years.

For example, IRENA and OHRLLS partner to prepare a report to be launched this year on Scaling Up Renewables in LLDCs.

As I mentioned earlier, we reach out to stakeholders from the international community and the public and private sector to contribute to the LDC5 conference in January 2022 and to make concrete announcements on energy and climate change.

UN-OHRLLS together with our partners, are committed to make the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS an integral part of the global energy transition that is underway.

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Statement on Asia-Pacific LDCs' Graduation, Trade and Pandemic

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 19:51:00 +0000

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

27 January 2021
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I would like to thank ESCAP for organizing this webinar meeting.

Graduation and the issues and challenges surrounding it have long been at the core of the work of the United Nations system and of the work we do at OHRLLS.

Graduation from the LDC category is more than a symbolic step in a country’s development journey.

The label, if I may say so, sends a strong signal about strength and stability in socio-economic progress, encourages investors, and encourages the business community.

In turn, that means greatly enhanced potential for trading, investment and commercial activities.

I stress that we talk potential because , let us be clear, the overall set of development challenges that a country faces as an LDC do not disappear overnight with graduation.

Take, for example, a shared threat cutting across all graduating LDCs. That is the threat of their extreme vulnerability to climate change and related hazards.

Let us also not forget that graduation means the end of access to LDC-specific international support measures. It also implies loss of flexibility in the implementation of various international agreements, including TRIPS.

Ever since the advent of the global COVID pandemic, we can see that graduation faces additional challenges given the intertwined health, economic and financial consequences of COVID-19.

The pandemic spreads at a rapid pace through weak and vulnerable health system. The new and emerging variants and mutations pose additional and not yet really known threats.

The protracted economic recession triggered by the pandemic will result in massive economic downturns and, let us not overlook this, societal disruptions all threatening hard won gains and stability.

The impact is likely to be the hardest on micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), on the informal sector and the labour markets of graduating LDCs. Yet, this often is the engine room for growth in LDCs!

The pandemic’s impacts on exports of goods and services coupled with growing costs of imports are likely to result in growing trade deficits of LDCs exceeding those of the pre-COVID levels.

Export items graduating LDCs rely on- like RMGs, fuels and tourism services - will be hit hard.

The small island LDCs are projected to be hardest hit by the severe downturn in world tourism. Yet, tourism is their GDP driver !

What is already clear is that this puts into question the achievement of SDG target 17.11- which is “doubling the LDCs’ share of exports by 2020 compared to 2011”.

Add to this that remittances, another major source of income for some graduating countries, are also under stress. This will further worsen the current account balance of countries.

More than ever timely, adequate and appropriate external support must kick in if we do not want to lose the hard won gains countries achieved in the past on their trajectory to a sustainable and inclusive development for their peoples.

However, we are concerned that all categories of external flows of funding are either waning or at best stagnant.

In short, the multifaceted challenges graduated and graduating LDCs are confronted with , demand NOW and not tomorrow bold and decisive action.

What is at stake is to ensure that the encouraging development trends of graduating countries remain sustained and can reach a higher trajectory.

I believe there is a mix of measures we could consider taking.

First : policies and measures must be taken to recover from the massive impacts of COVID-19. Reinforcing the public health infrastructure ecosystem is needed more than ever. The Secretary-General has already appealed to make vaccination as a global public good.

Graduating countries and other LDCs need immediate access to appropriate and affordable vaccines and therapeutic medicines as well as equipment.

A virus does not know borders and we know that it is only if we globally can achieve immunity, and not just in some parts of the globe, can we overcome the dramatic challenges this pandemic poses to all.

Secondly: We need to work on and invest in comprehensive transition strategies, developed through consultative processes, to ensure what I call smooth transitions.

This requires ex-ante impact assessments and vulnerability analysis. Appropriate policies and measures can then be put in place for sectors that are highly sensitive to preference erosion.

Thirdly: Graduating countries need to engage with their key development partners to negotiate extension of select LDC-preferential treatments for a period of time consistent with development needs and priorities.

In this regard, OHRLLS leads an Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation. The aim is to strengthen and better coordinate UN system-wide support to graduating countries.

Fourth: trade is and will continue to remain a key driver of development for graduating and graduated countries.

The Group of LDCs have already placed their proposals for the extension of LDC-specific special and preferential treatments. This includes a provision for a transition period under TRIPS Article 66.1 for a certain number of years after graduation.

This proposal warrants a review and favorable consideration by the international community, especially in the current context of the impacts of COVID-19.

Fifth: COVID-19 once again exposes the digital divide in LDCs. It is with urgency that we must build the infrastructure for a digital economy and e-commerce but also distance learning, health services and so much more.

Sixth: the pandemic has taught us once more the deep lesson of the history of our shared humanity that there is no certainty or predictability about future shocks and hazards.

Yet, the pandemic has also brought home once more that the LDCs are highly exposed to shocks and hazards while suffering from poor resilience systems.

Investing in building sustainable and comprehensive resilience systems in LDCs is not a luxury but a must.

Finally, allow me to alert you to a shared opportunity we have to put this into action.

We have embarked on the preparation of the Fifth UN Conference on LDCs to be held in Doha, Qatar from 23-27 January 2022.

Graduation will be a key priority in the deliberations and negotiations of the outcome of the LDC5.

In preparation of the LDC5, OHRLLS, jointly with Bangladesh and ESCAP, is holding the Asia-Pacific Regional Review meeting in Dhaka tentatively from 22-26 April 2021. The primary focus is on how to make graduation sustainable.

The outcome of Dhaka meeting, which is a Ministerial Declaration, will be an important building block for the next Programme of Action for LDCs.

So, I invite you all to actively participate in this meeting and contribute to its outcome.

Thank you.

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LDC5 Preparations Move up a Gear

HSASS — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 20:46:00 +0000

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The driver of this taxi-moto pauses on a country road in Athiémé, Benin

World Bank

The most ambitious agenda possible for the world’s most vulnerable states will be agreed at the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar in January 2022.

Known as LDC5, the meeting will be a major landmark in the efforts of LDCs and their partners to overcome core challenges, including the COVID crisis.

Decisions made by world leaders at LDC5 will have the potential to transform the lives of no less than a billion of the world’s most vulnerable people.

High Stakes

With the COVID crisis still in full flame, climate change untamed and a new economic and debt crisis rolling around the world, the stakes for LDC5 could not be higher. And so with a year to go, the preparatory process is already well underway.

The groundwork for LDC5 began in 2019, with each LDC conducting reviews of their development gains. For more information on national preparations see here. In 2020, OHRLLS co-hosted a series of global conversations relevant to LDCs on topics such as the future of work and post-pandemic recovery planning.

This spring, two regional review meetings will take place in collaboration with the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The first meeting for African LDCs and Haiti is co-hosted by the Government of the Republic of Malawi and takes place from 22-26 February.

Africa Regional Review

With 33 of the 46 LDCs in Africa, the Africa Regional Review will analyse progress made over the last decade and identify the main issues preventing further sustainable development.

To tackle these issues, the meeting will also discuss how to strengthen support provided to the LDCs by the international community to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The preparation process is based on a bottom-up approach that ensures the needs of LDCs are clarified and heard. Inputs and ideas will also be heard from other groups including the private sector, academia, youth, civil society and parliamentarians.

African Challenges

The Least Developed Countries of Africa face multiple challenges. Weak economies and low exports compound other challenges like conflict, climate change and COVID-19.

Both man-made and natural crises remain prevalent and risk derailing progress. High and recently increasing poverty rates, inequality, civil strife and political instability are widespread.

A high rate of urbanisation among African LDCs makes cities and urban centres increasingly vulnerable to the impact of disasters. Without strong and purposeful governance that aspires towards structural transformation and sustainable development, economic and social outcomes in these LDCs will remain weak.

This is why the stakes are so high for LDC5.

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United Nations Support to the Least Developed Countries

HSASS — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:14:00 +0000

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Expansion of the infrastructure in Zambia

Marcel Crozet / ILO

This report was prepared by UN-OHRLLS per its mandate to serve as a focal point for the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) and to mobilize and coordinate the active involvement of the UN system (as requested in UN General Assembly 73/242).

The report discusses how UN system entities and other related organizations support the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and provides an overview of how they have supported the LDCs in the context of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA). The report builds on best practices undertaken by the UN system to support the efforts made by the LDCs in implementing the IPoA and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It also highlights challenges faced by the UN system on the ground, and action needed to strengthen its support in LDCs, benefiting also from
perspectives shared by UN Resident Coordinators on how the UN system could best support the LDCs to advance the SDGs.

Furthermore, the report provides recommendations on how to strengthen the effectiveness of the UN system in promoting sustainable development in the LDCs through examples that have had a positive and transformative impact on the ground.

Full Report

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Lessons Learned - Implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 / Preliminary Report

HSASS — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:23:22 +0000

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Nebiba Mohammed, 28, works at the Shints textile factory, one of several textile manufacturing plants in Ethiopia's recently opened Bole Lemi industrial park, some 45 minutes from the Addis Ababa city center.

Stephan Gladieu / World Bank (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

As the decade of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) draws to a close and in preparation for the Fifth United Nations Conference of the LDCs, the Office of the High Representative of the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), called upon all LDC member states to submit national reports on the progress of implementation of the IPoA. A total of 28 national reports were received by OHRLLS.

In line with the aim of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), this report aims to undertake a full assessment of the implementation of the program of action by LDCs and their development partners. The report shares best practices and lessons learned, whilst highlighting the challenges that hindered the LDCs from meeting the objectives set out in the IPoA, as well as necessary actions and initiatives to overcome them.

The report draws upon the extensive National Reports and several relevant supporting publications to capture the overall progress of the LDCs in the implementation of the IPoA. Given the level of detail in each national report, this report synthesises the reoccurring themes across the 3 regions (Asian and Pacific, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean), highlighting key country experiences to illustrate the lessons learned to achieve the IPoA objectives during the decade of implementation.

Full Report

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

A Guide to Least Developed Country Graduation (2022)

graduation-booklet-2022_en.jpg

Facing Multiple Crises, Africa’s Most Vulnerable Nations Call on International Community for Greater Support

49834249446_d4a4c2d380_k.jpg

As a Global Crisis Continues, Africa’s Most Vulnerable Nations Set Development Priorities for an Equitable and Resilient Future

49833709508_f2d4d967f3_k1.jpg

Young People’s Potential, the Key to Africa’s Sustainable Development

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Africa Regional Review Meeting

Statement on the Ministerial Roundtable for National Energy Planning and Implementation for Fostering Energy Transition

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

19 January 2021 New York, USA

Statement on Asia-Pacific LDCs' Graduation, Trade and Pandemic

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

27 January 2021 New York, USA

LDC5 Preparations Move up a Gear

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United Nations Support to the Least Developed Countries

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Lessons Learned - Implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 / Preliminary Report

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19 January 2021
New York, USA

27 January 2021
New York, USA