51吃瓜

Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies, 
Distinguished Colleagues,

I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening today’s meeting.  As we start the new year, it is important that we take stock of our progress and plan for the year ahead. 

 Let me start, Mr. Chairman, by extending my deep appreciation to you, and your excellent team, for your outstanding leadership in steering this group. 

Excellencies,

In 2024, we made significant progress in advancing the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action-the DPOA. 

My Office developed a comprehensive roadmap and guidelines to accelerate the DPOA’s implementation, providing actionable strategies for the 44 LDCs, development partners, the UN system, and other stakeholders. 

We launched the guidelines and toolkit for the implementation of the DPOA by the LDC National Focal Points (NFPs), at a capacity-building workshop in Istanbul, bringing together both the NFPs and Resident Coordinators.   The workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on the practical application of these tools to support the integration of the DPOA into national frameworks.

Our efforts to operationalize key DPOA deliverables have continued throughout the year. In 2024, we submitted the Secretary-General's reports on the International Investment Support Center, the Food Stockholding Mechanism, and Enhanced Resilience-Building Mechanisms. This year, we will submit the report on the LDCs Online University, further advancing the implementation of these critical initiatives.

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The Food Stockholding Mechanism aims to strengthen food security in LDCs by ensuring the availability of affordable food supplies during crisis. A feasibility study is currently underway, and a Task Force is being established to guide its development. 

Similarly, the Resilience Building Mechanism, developed in collaboration with UNDRR and WMO, focuses on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems in LDCs. A comprehensive report assessing the status of these systems has been prepared to inform the next steps in strengthening resilience. 

I am pleased to share that the Government of Qatar has pledged USD 21 million commitment in support of the operationalization of these two key DPOA deliverables.  I take this opportunity to once again express my deep appreciation to the Government of Qatar and Ambassador Alya Al Thani for their generous support, helping transform these critical DPOA commitments into reality. 

We have intensified efforts to fully operationalize iGRAD- the Sustainable Graduation Support Facility - another flagship deliverable of the DPOA, in close collaboration with the Committee for Development Policy of UN-DESA. 
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The Facility aims to support countries on graduation track, to ensure smooth, irreversible, and incentives-driven transitions. 
Since the LDC5 Conference in 2023, two countries - Bhutan and S?o Tomé and Príncipe - have successfully graduated from the LDC category, reducing the number of LDCs from 46 to 44. Currently, 14 countries are at various stages of graduation, marking a historic milestone where, for the first time, an equal number of African and Asian LDCs are on the graduation track.

My Office is planning to convene a global meeting on graduation later this year, to discuss graduation challenges and ways to overcome those, as envisioned in the DPOA.

Additionally, I am pleased to share that we have recently secured funding from the UN Peace and Development Fund to support three graduating countries from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific in navigating the post-graduation phase. The project will focus on strengthening institutional capacities, fostering economic resilience, and enhancing access to tailored financing solutions to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition. [Cambodia, Senegal and Solomon Islands]

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Excellencies, 

Looking ahead, my Office is preparing for the Third LDC Future Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, from 1 to 3 April 2025, with funding from Finland. The theme "Enhancing LDCs Resilience to shocks", underscores the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities through strengthened policies and partnerships.
 
In conjunction with that event, we will convene a one-day National Focal Points meeting on 31 March to review progress on integrating the DPOA at the national level. This will build upon the DPOA Roadmap training held in Istanbul last July. 

Excellencies,

The FFD4 offers a crucial opportunity for LDCs. I thank and commend you, Mr. Chairman, and Amb. Chola, Permanent Representative of Zambia for your tireless efforts in safeguarding LDC interests in the process. The zero draft of the FfD4 outcome document reflects key LDC priorities, including two crucial DPOA deliverables: the International Investment Support Center, and the Online University. These deliverables are vital to achieving the DPOA’s objectives and the SDGs. My Office stands ready to support the Co-Chairs and the group in ensuring the successful conclusion of the negotiations.

Allow me now to turn to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries - LLDC3 - scheduled to be held from 4 to 8 August in Turkmenistan. This conference holds significant relevance for LDCs, as half of the LLDCs are also LDCs.

The Conference offers a crucial opportunity to address their unique challenges, especially in the areas of trade, connectivity and structural transformation.

The new POA for LLDCs outlines several key deliverables that will significantly benefit LLDCs, including LDC-LLDCs. These include the establishment of an Infrastructure Investment Financing Facility and regional agricultural hubs, which will be crucial for addressing the significant infrastructure gaps in LLDCs. Additionally, the conference aims to promote enhanced financial and technical support to strengthen LLDCs' capacities to achieve the 2030 Agenda. 

Excellencies, 

I would like to briefly touch upon a pressing concern that demands our attention - and that is the recent pause in US foreign aid, and the likely impact that may have on LDCs.

For LDCs, which already contend with resource constraints and compounding crises, the consequences could be serious. This could impact critical sectors, including health, agriculture, food security, disaster prevention, climate action, energy, and conflict resolution.

It would be important for LDCs to monitor the developments and continue to remain engaged with all partners to mitigate the situation; and to keep the LDCs’ concerns high on the UN’s agenda as developments unfold.  

We are also assessing the impact and stand ready to support your efforts. 

[Excellencies] Let me conclude by assuring you that we shall keep you posted on further developments and progress made on our efforts to implement the DPOA. 

I count on your continued engagement and support as we advance our shared goal to ensure the full and effective implementation.  

Let me rest it here.

I thank you.