Recovering from COVID-19 in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs: ECOSOC special event

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Vendredi, 23 April 2021 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are at a critical juncture on their path to sustainable development and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

They have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, not only its immediate health and social impacts, but also its indirect consequences through economic downturn and disruptions in trade and production. These nations are experiencing a dramatic setback in their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These most vulnerable member states, who already faced major sustainable development challenges before the pandemic, urgently need international solidarity through integrated and multidimensional policies and measures.

To propose and discuss such measures, OHRLLS and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) are organising a virtual special high-level event on 23 April, 2021, in two parts from 10am to 12pm and 3:00pm to 5:00pm (EDT).

Objectives

The one-day special high-level event aims to bring to the attention of the international community the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the most vulnerable states as well as to call for urgent decisive actions to secure their sustainable and resilient recovery.

Format

The special meeting will consist of a brief opening session followed by moderated interactive panel discussions. The panel discussions will comprise of short presentations by a distinguished group of panelists followed by an interactive dialogue among all meeting participants, including representatives of the Member States and other stakeholders.

The meeting will consist of a morning session on Small Island Developing States and an afternoon session on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries.

The morning session will be run under the theme: 'Understanding the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – Impact of COVID-19 and road to recovery,' while the afternoon session will focus on 'Financing a resilient recovery from cascading effects of COVID-19 in LDCs and LLDCs.'

Senior policy makers from home capitals are encouraged to attend.

Outcome

The outcome of the meeting will be a President’s summary to be circulated to Member States and elsewhere. Crucially, the summary will contribute to the inter-governmental preparatory committee meetings of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) as well as forthcoming major United Nations events on SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs to increase the priority given to these countries and mobilise actions to support their recovery efforts.

The concept note is available here.