51吃瓜

Her Excellency Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, and Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of LDCs,

H.E. Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar, 

H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC and Permanent Representative of Canada to the 51吃瓜, 

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates.

At the outset, I extend my warmest felicitations and thanks to you, Madame Chair, for your excellent leadership of the Group of LDCs. 

I also express my deep appreciation to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the ECOSOC for their steadfast support to the LDCs. 

 We convene today at a moment of immense global uncertainty, marked by rising geopolitical tensions and persistent economic fragility. 

The challenges faced by the LDCs are particularly daunting. 

In 2023, LDCs suffered a 10% GDP loss compared to pre-pandemic trends. 

Nearly 15 million more people fell into extreme poverty during the last 5 years. 

In 2022, their trade deficit soared to an alarming $124.1 billion. 

And, 1 in 4 people in LDCs are grappling with severe food insecurity – that is 250 million people. 

These are just a few sobering statistics, and the list goes on.

There are, however, some encouraging signs of progress. In its latest report, the Committee for Development Policy recommended Cambodia and Senegal for graduation; while Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania met the graduation criteria for the first time. Notably, this is the first time that an equal number of Asian and African LDCs are on the path to graduation, highlighting significant achievements across both regions.

Excellencies,

We are at a critical juncture that calls for urgent and decisive action. 

The timely implementation of the Doha POA is crucial. 

To drive this forward, my office has undertaken several initiatives.

?    We have finalized a Roadmap for accelerated DPOA implementation, identifying 35 key targets across the 6 priority areas, and outlining responsibilities for relevant stakeholders.

?    In July, we organized a National Focal Points training session, supported by Türkiye, where we introduced guidelines for integrating DPOA into their national development plans. 

 National Focal Points from 32 LDCs participated in the session, reporting substantial progress in in this regard. Additionally, we are leveraging the Resident Coordinator-NFP network to strengthen collaboration on the 51吃瓜 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other key policy tools on the ground.

?    We have undertaken initial steps to operationalize a System of Food Stockholding in LDCs; and a report by the UN Secretary General at this 79th session will elaborate on the modalities of this critical mechanism. 

This DPOA deliverable aims to enhance food reserves in LDCs, ensuring emergency food response capability. 

We are grateful to the Government of Qatar for its generous pledge of USD 10 million towards this effort. 

?    We have also undertaken a comprehensive study on Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems in LDCs, together with UNDRR and WMO, and in partnership with the entire UN development system.  The study highlights the need to strengthen data and governance capacity, as well as enhance partnerships to develop responsive and nationally driven early warning systems. I also thank the Government of Qatar for announcing its support for this important DPOA deliverable.

?    Further, we are preparing a Secretary-General’s report on the feasibility of establishing an International Investment Support Center for LDCs as called for in DPOA.  This aims at boosting private sector investment and increasing FDI to accelerate their economic transformation. Based on the findings, we plan to launch several pilot projects in LDCs in the coming months.

?    Additionally, work is progressing on the report of an Online University for LDCs, in close collaboration with relevant UN entities. This is aimed at building human capital in STEM fields through the enhanced application of virtual education opportunities.

?    The DPOA’s target of enabling 15 additional LDCs to meet graduation criteria by 2031 is central to our work. 

While 15 countries are already at various stages of graduation, the changing global context poses significant challenges. Global shocks, combined with domestic issues, threaten to derail the progress of countries nearing graduation. Enhanced international support is essential to overcoming these obstacles.

To that end, we are working to fully operationalize the fifth deliverable in DPOA, the Sustainable Graduation Support Facility (iGRAD), to provide tailored, partnership-based support for graduating and graduated LDCs. Additionally, the commitments made during the LDC5 Private Sector Forum are already yielding tangible results.

I wish to acknowledge here the great support that we received from the entire UN Development System (UNDS) in advancing these five deliverables and their corresponding reports. The Inter-Agency Consultative Group for LDCs has been instrumental in aligning our efforts with the broader UN system.  

Excellencies, 

Recent global developments present key opportunities to advance the DPOA’s implementation.

The Summit of the Future set a bold agenda for global cooperation. 

The Pact for the Future is expected to support LDCs in overcoming their developmental challenges and shaping a more sustainable world. 

The adoption of the Multi-dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) by the UN General Assembly marks a significant step forward. Incorporating the LDCs' unique vulnerabilities into the MVI process is vital to ensuring that their structural challenges are adequately addressed.

Moreover, the New Programme of Action for LLDCs, half of which are also LDCs, reflects the aspirations of these countries. 

 The upcoming LLDC3 Conference in Gaborone this December offers an important platform for dialogue, and I urge all LDCs and Friends of LDCs to attend at the highest level.

Excellencies, 

As we move forward, I wish to highlight several key priorities for LDCs:

First: with only 6 years remaining to achieve the SDGs, the commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ is more urgent than ever.

The future of sustainable development hinges on the success of LDCs. And I believe that the full and effective implementation of the DPOA, with its clear targets, commitments and deliverables, can be the accelerator to achieve the SDGs.  Transformative action and reinvigorated global support would be crucial in this regard. 

Second: LDCs face severe financing challenges. 

ODA flows to LDCs fell by over 7% in 2022, amounting to just $45 billion. 

Six LDCs are in debt distress, and 15 are at high risk. 

Interest payments in 19 LDCs outweighed public expenditures in the health sector. 

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development next year, will be a critical opportunity to mobilize additional resources, bring about reform in the international financial architecture, and address the unique financing needs and debt challenges of LDCs. 

Third:  the UN system and Multilateral Development Banks need to enhance their support to LDCs. 

Although UN expenditures in LDCs have increased, 74% has been allocated to humanitarian assistance rather than long-term development. 

The QCPR 2024 is an opportunity to address these funding imbalances and strengthen support for LDCs. 

More predictable funding and enhanced UN-MDB collaboration are crucial for LDCs' progress.

Fourth: Climate change disproportionately impacts LDCs. 

An ambitious new ‘Collective Quantified Goal’ on climate finance is needed. 

COP29 must deliver concrete outcomes for LDCs, including a fully funded Loss and Damage Fund, doubling adaptation finance, and accelerating technology transfer.

Finally: the DPOA and the recently adopted Global Digital Compact underscore the transformative potentials of science, technology and innovation in achieving the SDGs. 

LDCs must be empowered to leapfrog technological barriers and fully participate in the global digital economy. 

Expanding the resources and partnerships of the Technology Bank for LDCs is crucial in this regard.

Excellencies,

Our path ahead requires dedication, innovative solutions, and enhanced global cooperation. 

Together, we can build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for LDCs and, for the world.

The success of LDCs is closely linked to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the creation of a peaceful, prosperous world for all. 

I wish to conclude by reiterating my full commitment and that of my Office to support the LDCs in this journey.  

I thank you all.