Doha: UN officials and participants in the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) underlined the significance of the conference in mobilising a political drive to address the challenges facing the least developed countries and hold partnerships that reflect positively on their reality, as well as making global commitments to implement the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031.
In press statements, the officials called for improving education and developing skills in order to create change and progress in the least developed countries that leads to the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
President of Malawi and Chair of the LDC Group H E Lazarus Chakwera said LDC5 aims at discussing means to address the most pressing challenges of the least developed countries, pointing to a decline in the economic and developmental aspects, and the duty of the international community to achieve justice and equality rather than complaining.
He noted the need for a new era of solidarity and cooperation, based on the principles of mutual respect and common human responsibility. “In order to achieve this goal, decisive and bold decisions must be taken, whether at the national or global level, and the power of innovation, technology and knowledge must be harnessed to create new opportunities and solutions for our peoples,” he said.
Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani said LDC5 is in line with Qatar’s keenness to support the least developed countries, in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership.
She noted that the conference constitutes a crucial opportunity to build a political momentum, hold partnerships, and make global commitments to implement the Doha Program of Action which was unanimously adopted last year.
She noted that the discussions which took place during the opening session and the following plenary session could play a critical role in supporting recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Sheikha Alya said that the COVID-19 pandemic hindered progress towards achieving the agenda for 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, led to the loss of many lives, and negatively affected many sectors such as health, education, food security, economic growth and employment; indicating that LDC5 is the first major international conference to be held in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Sheikha Alya noted the importance of achieving the goals and commitments of the Doha Program of Action, and the need for various stakeholders, including member states, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, youth and parliamentarians, to participate in the implementation process of the Doha Program of Action.
The UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Rabab Fatima said that the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), currently in session in Doha, compliment the efforts that began three years ago; noting that the conference was scheduled to be held last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite its postponement, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031.
“We came to Doha with the approved document, which is a very ambitious road map for the least developed countries, and it will proceed in parallel with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The document was negotiated in the midst of our confrontation with the Coronavirus pandemic, therefore it includes commitments, goals and responses related to dealing with the repercussions of the pandemic,” she said.
Fatima indicated that the document includes many goals for the benefit of the least developed countries, and it is an ambitious document that those countries seek to achieve. “They are not here for charitable work, rather they have the potential, and we can help them achieve the transformation towards progress and development,” she said.
She underlined that the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries will set very high standards in ensuring the inclusive participation of all major stakeholders; stressing the United Nations’ commitment to the Doha Program of Action as a main mechanism in implementing plans, programs, activities and events.
Fatima praised the efforts of the State of Qatar, its hosting of the conference, and its support to ensure this active participation.
Vice Chair and President of Microsoft Corporation Brad Smith noted the significance of harnessing the power of innovation technology and knowledge in accelerating progress of the least developed countries; noting that the private sector is taking part in the conference because it sees an opportunity to help through investment to contribute to accelerating the pace of progress in the least developed countries.
“We live in a world where the most precious natural resources are people. If we look around the world, we will see many countries, especially in the developed North, where the population is shrinking instead of growing, and even when the population as a whole is growing, the people who are able to work do not keep pace with growth. However, if we look at the least developed countries, we see enormous talents and young people who, if given the opportunity to invest in themselves with greater skills, will have the opportunity not only to contribute to the economic growth of their countries, but to the growth of the global economy as a whole,” Smith said.
He pointed to a new opportunity to connect people with each other around the world, as wireless technology on Earth and in outer space reduces the cost of this connection. He noted that this progress is seen in recent years and will accelerate further in the remainder of this decade.
