The Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5): From Potential To Prosperity concluded Thursday at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) with member states and organisations pledging assistance of $1.4bn for poor states across the world.
While supporting biodiversity improvement, addressing malnutrition and building resilience, the assistance will be disbursed as grants, investments, loans, aid, development projects and technical support.
LDC5 host Qatar announced a financial package of $60mn of which $10 mn will be spent to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and $50 mn to help build resilience in the LDCs. Germany pledged €200 mn in new money in 2023 for financing the LDCs while Canada announced $59 mn to deliver vitamin supplements in 15 LDCs and ecosystem conservation in Burkina Faso. The EU Commission announced cooperation agreements advancing sustainable investments in Africa totalling more than €130 mn of investment. Finland announced an annual event called the United Nations LDC Future Forum in Helsinki, with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) to ensure that the latest thinking and research is being put to work to ensure progress in the most vulnerable states. The Green Climate Fund announced a new project to give $80 mn in equity to offer green guarantees to businesses in LDCs and bring down the cost of capital. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), announced a new €10 mn Tourism for Development Fund for LDCs, supported by TUI Care Foundation, that will invest by 2030 to support sustainable tourism in LDCs as a key driver of development. The government of Kazakhstan pledged $50,000 to continue their work supporting the most vulnerable member states of the UN. Saudi Arabia announced a major new loan package of $800mn for LDCs, according to AFP.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi presided over the closing session. Al-Muraikhi said Qatar harnessed all its capabilities in preparing for the conference and was keen to hold many regional and thematic meetings and to participate actively in all activities.
“We stand today at the end of five days of rich deliberations and fruitful activities, including plenary sessions, round tables, and multiple side meetings, which highlighted the convergence and consensus on how to address the various challenges facing the least developed countries,” he said adding that the outcomes of the conference and what has been accomplished during these days will be an opportunity to achieve the desired change.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohamed said the conference achieved a considerable amount. She called for the international community’s support and commitment for LDCs. “LDCs cannot wait. They need commitment now. We go forward with renewed hope and determination, and commit to a decade of delivery for the LDCs,” she said.
“We have adopted a safe, secure and irreversible path towards graduation from the poverty bracket to middle income status,” said Dr Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi and current Chair of the Group of LDCs.
“The commitments made this week are a true embodiment of global solidarity and partnership and will pave the way for a new era of international cooperation,” said Secretary General of the Conference and UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States Rabab Fatima.
HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani and several other dignitaries attended the closing session.
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LDC5 adopts
‘Doha Declaration’

The Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) concluded its work yesterday evening at the Qatar National Convention Center, with the adoption of the “Doha Declaration”, which reinforces the international community’s commitment to the Doha Program of Action (2022-2031) towards the 46 least developed countries (LDCs).