New York - Information Office - September 23
The permanent mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, in partnership with the Republic of Malawi and the Office of the United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, hosted a high-level luncheon on the adoption of Action Program for the Least Developed countries, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The luncheon was attended by HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Dr. Lazarus Shakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and Chairman of the Group of Least Developed Countries, HE President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, HE Dr. Moikitsi Majuro, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and HE Mr. Kosia Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Her Excellency Jessica Alobo, Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Her Excellency Amina Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Her Excellency Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
The luncheon was also attended by the foreign ministers of: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central Africa, Guyana, Comoros, Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Yemen. The luncheon was attended by the Finance Ministers of Liberia and Rwanda, a number of officials from countries supporting the least developed countries such as the United States, Britain, Canada and Turkey, and a number of senior officials of the United Nations and representatives of the private sector.
His Excellency Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said in his speech that the least developed countries are making unremitting efforts to overcome the enormous burdens that the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, and other unprecedented challenges placed on their shoulders.
He stressed that the LDCs have taken important steps forward, with the unanimous adoption of the Doha Action Program for the LDCs, during the first part of the Fifth United Nations Conference held in March 2022.
His Excellency expressed Qatar's satisfaction with the positive momentum that characterized the first part of the conference, stressing the priority given to issues related to the least developed countries and their high position on the global agenda.
He explained that the new phase, which began with the adoption of the Doha Action Program for the least developed countries, confirms that "our collective success in this endeavour lies in the effectiveness of the full implementation of this program by all partners and stakeholders.”
He expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration to host the second part of the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha during the period from 5-9 March 2023. He noted that this conference will constitute a unique opportunity to demonstrate commitment to cooperation and multilateral action, support the least developed countries and help them address emerging and continuing challenges in addition to building more prosperous and inclusive societies and economies.
His Excellency emphasized what was indicated by the Doha Action Program, which attached importance to the issue of strengthening global and comprehensive partnerships that effectively meet the special needs of the least developed countries, thus contributing to supporting prosperity, partnership and sustainable development for all.
He also stressed the State of Qatar's determination to continue its contributions as a true strategic partner in responding to needs and challenges. “We are pleased that preparations are continuing effectively for the second part of the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries,” said His Excellency.
In his video message to the attendees, His Excellency Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, stressed that "the Doha Program represents an ambitious effort to eradicate poverty and ensure that no one is left behind."
He expressed his aspiration for the Fifth United Nations Conference of the Least Developed Countries in Doha, and said that it comes at a time of great global challenge. “We must spare no effort to support the least developed countries in a number of ways, to reduce inequality and poverty and achieve the 2030 Agenda and goals for sustainable development.”
His Excellency stressed the importance of investing in solutions that focus on people's lives; from health and education to decent work, gender equality and social protection. He also urged continued pressure for a global financial system that works for all countries and provides access to financing and debt relief.
He called on the Secretary-General to help the least developed countries adapt to a green future, start the transition to renewable energy, and work to end the conflicts and geopolitical divisions that endanger people's lives and impede recovery, development and prosperity. He stressed the need to work together to advance the real development and recovery that works for all peoples and all countries
The attendees stressed the importance and necessity of implementing the Doha Declaration, amongst which comes the elimination of the Corona pandemic, strengthening of resilience against future shocks, the elimination of extreme poverty, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The participants also reviewed the other goals of investing in people, eradicating poverty and building capacities so that no one is left behind, harnessing the power of science, technology and innovation to combat multidimensional vulnerabilities and achieving sustainable development goals, supporting structural transformation as an engine for prosperity, and promoting international trade for the least developed countries, in addition to enhancing regional integration, and addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
The high-level luncheon aimed at emphasizing the importance of the Fifth Conference of the Least Developed Countries to be held in Doha from (5-9) March 2023, and the attendees sought to work to revitalize global solidarity and partnerships for the implementation of the Doha Work Program and to benefit from the momentum for the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries.