Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries

Facing Multiple Crises, Africa’s Most Vulnerable Nations Call on International Community for Greater Support

HSASS — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:07:00 +0000

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COVID-19 testing, Madagascar

World Bank / Henitsoa Rafalia

26 February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, trade barriers and debt distress are some of the major challenges debated at a high-level meeting of ministers from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of Africa and Haiti this week.

Over the past five days, leaders of African nations and Haiti, development partners, civil society, private sector and representatives of the United Nations deliberated over progress by Africa’s least developed countries (LDCs) in achieving sustainable development, and what new policies and support measures are required to build a resilient future.

“The LDC members’ GDP shrank by 1.3 per cent in 2020, thereby increasing the number of poor households and worsening inequality between and within countries, with disproportionate effects on women,” said Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, opening the meeting. "The Pandemic has exposed our limitations in the fields of science, technology and innovations, which has laid bare the digital and technological divide between nations.”

Across the LDCs, the pandemic is projected to force an additional 32 million people into poverty. For Africa’s LDCs, the pandemic has jeopardized hard-won development gains. In the three years prior to the pandemic, African LDCs achieved steady real average GDP growth of 3.9 per cent – slightly above the global average of 3.4 per cent. However, as a result of the pandemic, projections indicate real GDP growth of African LDCs to contract by 1.5 per cent in 2020.

Besides impacts on economies, previous gains made in gender equality, poverty reduction and reducing inequalities are at risk, putting additional pressure on already vulnerable nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

A declaration agreed at the conclusion of the week, recognised that “a successful, renewed and strengthened global partnership that effectively addresses the special needs of African LDCs will contribute to the cause of peace, prosperity and sustainable development for all.” Furthermore, the declaration affirmed the commitment by African LDCs to strengthen healthcare systems, bolster research and development, empower women and provide a rapidly growing youth population with greater prospects for a decent life. They also called for the immediate establishment of a global stimulus package to address the impacts of COVID-19 and on development partners to support them in achieving global development goals.

“My take-away from the past five days is there is a tremendous sense of hope expressed by leaders from Africa and Haiti, and the inspiring youth representatives, of the sheer determination to forge ahead towards a more resilient and prosperous future,” said the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing Sates Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu.
The conclusion of the Africa Regional Review meeting, hosted by the Government of Malawi, kicks off a series of meetings and events leading to the the landmark Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) taking place in Doha, Qatar in early 2022.
The conference will set the development agenda for the LDCs for the coming decade and occur as they redouble their efforts to achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“We are very confident this conference will enormously contribute to meeting the needs of these countries and supporting their journey towards achieving their development goals over the next ten years,” said Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar and host of the LDC5 Conference.

The coming months will see a similar regional review meeting for LDCs in the Asia and Pacific region and the commencement of inter-governmental negotiations on the next programme of action for the LDCs which is expected to be adopted in Doha next year.

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Young People’s Potential, the Key to Africa’s Sustainable Development

HSASS — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:58:00 +0000

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Youth Envoy discusses youth participation in the implementation of the SDGs with Zambian young leaders

Jason J Mulikita, UN Youth Envoy

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. Such a high number of young people is an opportunity for the continent’s growth – but only if these new generations are fully empowered to realise their best potential. It is especially important that young people are included in decision making and given appropriate opportunities for work and to innovate.

Involving young people in politics and society is not merely a question of inclusion, but one that is vital for economic growth, innovation, peace and security.

The Africa Regional Review – the regional preparatory meeting for LDC5 held virtually in Malawi this week – has ensured a seat at the table for young people.

Young speakers from civil society are speaking alongisde ministers and other leaders, and the agenda features a dedicated event on young people’s role in achieving sustainable development.

Crucially the outcome document of the Review will also include dedicated recommendations and priorities from young people.

“It is important that youth is involved in decision making. It is important that we as young people are recognised as equal partners and as right holders – Not only as victims”, said Nickson Kasolene, the youth and civil society representative of the Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO).

Having a young population brings many opportunities for economic growth and innovation, if these opportunities can be recognised and utilised.

“Engage youth, create a space for them and give them a seat at the table,” Nickson told us in an interview. "Don’t just offer this seat passively, but empower young people to actually use it. Young people have potential and young people have collective power, with the guidance of the government they can use that power.”

In many countries outside of Africa, countries with ageing populations are facing high healthcare costs and a shortage of skilled labour. In Africa, young people face underemployment and lack of opportunities – or, without access to the internet, the lack of information about any opportunities.

Young people are contributing daily to the benefit of their communities and nations across Africa. From providing support to the elderly, to advocating for justice and equality, young people have proven their centrality to building and sustaining healthy communities.

Nickson, who is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, notes that young people have the possibility to drive peace in areas that are already affected by conflict: “Young people are so strong and think, ‘if we decide to do something we will action immediately’”.

What motivates Nickson in engaging fellow young people is what he refers to as “the duty of development” to achieve better living conditions.

He concludes, “Being involved makes you feel concerned about the problems in the community – and pushes you to have a positive social impact.”

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LDC5 Preparations Move up a Gear

HSASS — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 20:46:00 +0000

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The driver of this taxi-moto pauses on a country road in Athiémé, Benin

World Bank

The most ambitious agenda possible for the world’s most vulnerable states will be agreed at the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar in January 2022.

Known as LDC5, the meeting will be a major landmark in the efforts of LDCs and their partners to overcome core challenges, including the COVID crisis.

Decisions made by world leaders at LDC5 will have the potential to transform the lives of no less than a billion of the world’s most vulnerable people.

High Stakes

With the COVID crisis still in full flame, climate change untamed and a new economic and debt crisis rolling around the world, the stakes for LDC5 could not be higher. And so with a year to go, the preparatory process is already well underway.

The groundwork for LDC5 began in 2019, with each LDC conducting reviews of their development gains. For more information on national preparations see here. In 2020, OHRLLS co-hosted a series of global conversations relevant to LDCs on topics such as the future of work and post-pandemic recovery planning.

This spring, two regional review meetings will take place in collaboration with the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The first meeting for African LDCs and Haiti is co-hosted by the Government of the Republic of Malawi and takes place from 22-26 February.

Africa Regional Review

With 33 of the 46 LDCs in Africa, the Africa Regional Review will analyse progress made over the last decade and identify the main issues preventing further sustainable development.

To tackle these issues, the meeting will also discuss how to strengthen support provided to the LDCs by the international community to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The preparation process is based on a bottom-up approach that ensures the needs of LDCs are clarified and heard. Inputs and ideas will also be heard from other groups including the private sector, academia, youth, civil society and parliamentarians.

African Challenges

The Least Developed Countries of Africa face multiple challenges. Weak economies and low exports compound other challenges like conflict, climate change and COVID-19.

Before COVID-19, African LDCs and Haiti had been making progress in implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action from 2011, though from very low baselines and with large variations across the 34 countries.

Both man-made and natural crises remain prevalent and risk derailing progress. High and recently increasing poverty rates, inequality, civil strife and political instability are widespread.

A high rate of urbanisation among African LDCs makes cities and urban centres increasingly vulnerable to the impact of disasters. Without strong and purposeful governance that aspires towards structural transformation and sustainable development, economic and social outcomes in these LDCs will remain weak.

This is why the stakes are so high for LDC5.

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