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LDC5 Opens in New York!

Two years after the world began its epic struggle against COVID-19, the member states of the United Nations today adopted a historic new compact to support the countries whose vulnerabilities it most exposed. 

The Doha Programme of Action aims to ensure that the most vulnerable states are firmly placed back at the top of the international agenda and commits the world to a new generation of renewed and strengthened commitments between the Least Developed Countries and their development partners, as well as the private sector and civil society. 

LDC5 opened today in New York but will continue next March in Doha. 

The split format was deemed necessary to ensure a safe and in-person gathering in Doha but also in recognition of the fact that the Least Developed Countries cannot wait another year for the package of international support measures contained within the DPoA. 

The Doha Programme of Action

 The Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031 (DPoA) manifests a new generation of renewed and strengthened commitments between the least developed countries and their development partners, including the private sector, civil society, and governments at all levels.

The final text of the DPoA was adopted during the first part of the LDC5 conference on March 17, 2022.

The second part of the conference will take place in Doha from 5 to 9 March 2023. There, world leaders will gather with civil society, the private sector, young people and more to build the plans and partnerships to deliver on the promise and ambition of the DPoA over the following decade.

The split format was deemed necessary to ensure a safe and in-person gathering in Doha but also in recognition of the fact that the Least Developed Countries cannot wait another year for the package of international support measures contained within the DPoA.

Full implementation of the DPoA will help the LDCs to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as the resulting negative socio-economic impacts, return to a pathway to achieve the SDGs, address climate change challenges, and makes strides towards sustainable and irreversible graduation.

The full text of the Doha Programme of Action is available 

Why is LDC5 being held in two parts?

The General Assembly  for LDC5 in February of 2022, after the omicron variant of COVID-19 forced postponement in January. In addition, the Assembly also decided to hold it in two parts: 

1. The first part to be held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 17 March 2022 at which adoption of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) would be considered. 

2. And the second part will take place in Doha from 5 to 9 March 2023, and at which world leaders will gather with civil society, the private sector, young people and more to build new plans and partnerships for the delivery of the DPoA over the following decade. 

The split format was deemed necessary to ensure a safe and in-person gathering in Doha but also in recognition of the fact that the Least Developed Countries cannot wait another year for the package of international support measures contained within the DPoA. 

The conference had previously been postponed twice because of the persisting unpredictable nature of the pandemic. 

The General Assembly also reiterated its appreciation to the Government of Qatar for its generous offer to host the Fifth United Nations Conference on LDCs in Doha to be held at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government. 

 Already in delivery mode

The whole UN system is committed to implementing the Doha Programme of Action - and many have already started.

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the organising office of LDC5 within the United Nations, has begun work on some key projects identified in the Programme of Action. 

Graduation Support Facility, called iGRAD, will provide advisory services to help countries prepare for smooth graduation and support their efforts into sustainable development. 

This week with our friends at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) we launched the Action Framework of the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition.

This alliance aims to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally with a focus on hardest-to-connect communities – especially in LDCs. Pledges have already been made that will help close the digital divide, delivering for the people of the LDCs and the DPoA.See more information on Partner2Connect. 

Urging member states and other parts of the United Nations system to begin their implementation of the DPoA immediately, Acting High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Heidi Schroderus-Fox, said: 

“By signing this new promise today, we say to the world that solidarity cannot be a zero-sum game. It is now more urgent than ever to work towards a new multilateralism to deliver a more secure, prosperous, equal, and healthy planet.” 

The Secretary-General addresses LDC5 (extract)

Today, we face the highest number of violent conflicts since 1945.

And Least Developed Countries represent the lion’s share of these hotspots. Peace and security cannot take hold in an absence of development.

Nor can development take hold in an absence of peace and security.

Or in countries where historical injustices, inequalities and systematic oppression have locked generations of people in cycles of disadvantage and poverty.

Or where basic services like health, education, security and justice are lacking.

But the problems that affect development do not just result from conflict within developing countries.

For example, the effects of the war in Ukraine are reverberating across regions and around the world, threatening to exacerbate economic and social vulnerabilities in developing countries, particularly LDCs.

Food prices have reached a 14-year high.

Oil prices have surged to their highest since 2008, and fertilizer prices have escalated.

For countries already struggling to recover, this is a recipe for human and economic disaster. 

My proposed New Agenda for Peace calls on the global community to work as one – in solidarity, as a human family – to address the roots of violent conflicts by investing in development.

This includes a New Social Contract within all societies.

From universal health coverage, social protection and safety nets – accessible to all.

To education and training for all people so they can envision – and build – better, more prosperous futures.

And we need to build national institutions and justice systems that are inclusive and resilient to corruption and abuse of power – anchored in human rights and the rule of law.

Least Developed Countries can count on the total commitment of the entire UN system.

From day one, the collaboration and spirit of solidarity that resulted in this Programme has been deeply inspiring.

We are proud to be on this journey with all of you as we put the needs of the Least Developed Countries where they belong.

First in our plans.

First in our investments.

And always first in our actions.