51吃瓜

H.E. Mr. Alexander Marschik, Permanent Representative of Austria to the 51吃瓜 and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends,
H.E. Mr. Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the 51吃瓜 and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends,
H.E. Ms. Gladys Mokhawa, Permanent Representative of Botswana to the 51吃瓜, LLDC Chair, and host of the LLDC3 Conference,

Excellencies, 

I commend you, Co-Chairs, for convening this timely and important meeting of the Group of Friends of Landlocked Developing Countries. 

I further thank the Permanent Mission of Austria for generously hosting us at this breakfast meeting.

I thank Ambassador Marschik and Ambassador Enkhbold for their outstanding role in facilitating an ambitious and forward-looking Programme of Action that we can be proud of. 

I thank Ambassador Mokhawa for the outstanding leadership accorded to the LLDC Group and the excellent efforts in hosting LLDC3.
Your dedication to the priorities and development needs of LLDCs is critical to building momentum as we approach the Third 51吃瓜 Conference on LLDCs, which is now just 39 days away.

Today, I am here to underscore the importance of this upcoming conference, to advocate for the participation of your countries at the highest possible level, and to convey our unwavering commitment to making it a resounding success.

Excellencies,

I am happy to report that the preparations for the Conference are nearing conclusion. 

We have been working closely with Botswana as the host country, UN partners, and key stakeholders to ensure its success. 

Registration opened on 4 October and will close on 20 November. 
Inscription for Members States in the general debate opened on Monday 28 October. 

The Conference app with events, speakers and venue details will be available in App stores in the coming weeks.
My Office has already undertaken a mapping of the GPoA with the SDGs and is undertaking another for the Pact for the Future. 

We are also preparing a Roadmap and Results Framework alongside a National Mainstreaming Guideline and Toolkit.

On that note, let me reiterate that the Conference also involves dedicated tracks for the private sector, CSOs, youth, parliamentarians, women leaders, South-South cooperation and connectivity. 

Many of these will culminate in dedicated calls to action, specific deliverables and commitments of support to the LLDCs. 

The Conference will also include more than 80 side events and exhibitions. 

I am very grateful for the contributions of the Group of Friends to the Trust Fund for LLDC3 which facilitates participation at LLDC3. 

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As you will have seen in my letters, we are supporting 7 participants from each LLDC including 1 CSO, 1 youth representative, 1 parliamentarian, NFPs, and the Permanent Representatives and experts of LLDCs from New York.

We have also been able to support the participation of certain transit developing countries and LDCs. Fostering partnerships with these countries is critical to the success of LLDC3. 

I am still looking to support the participation of the Resident Coordinators. They will play a crucial role in mainstreaming and implementing the new Programme of Action. 

Excellencies,

The Secretary-General, DSG, P-ECOSOC, and PGA have confirmed their participation, sending a strong message of commitment and support to the LLDCs. 

The Secretary-General is convening a meeting of the heads of UN agencies at the Conference to galvanize the UN system in support of LLDCs in the next decade.
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We are anticipating the participation of as many as 20 heads of UN agencies and more at the deputy level. 

To match these substantive efforts, we must now ensure that the full commitment of the international community is demonstrated by strong participation in an expression of solidarity with the LLDCs. 

High-level representation will underscore global commitment and unlock the partnerships for addressing the persistent challenges that LLDCs face. 

I strongly encourage each of you to advocate within your capitals for the involvement of your heads of state, government officials, and senior policymakers in this conference. 

Their participation will not only bring visibility to the issues at hand but will also reinforce the collective strength and unity behind LLDCs on the international stage.

As the Group of Friends, I count on you above all to make your strongest final efforts to ensuring the effective participation of your states at the Conference.
Excellencies,

Let me conclude be underscoring that the steadfast commitment of the Group of Friends for the LLDCs will continue to be vital. 

You have shown this in your efforts towards the substantial preparations for LLDC3, including the negotiation of the new Programme of Action for the LLDCs. 

I will ask that the Group of Friends continues to remain fully engaged in the follow-up and implementation of the GPoA. And I emphasize that I hope to work closely with you in the months after the Conference and in the years to come to give shape to that vision.

This conference is our opportunity to harness the power of partnership and solidarity. It is through our collective resolve and the active engagement of each LLDC that we can foster a future of shared prosperity.

I look forward to welcoming you all in Gaborone, Botswana, next month.

I thank you.