Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries concludes with transformative commitments

DOHA, Qatar-After a weeklong conference, member states have committed to bold measures aimed at fulfilling the Doha Programme of Action, a ten-year plan to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the world's 46 most vulnerable countries, writes Matiisetso Mosala.

These commitments mark a transformative turning point for the world's poorest countries, whose development has been hindered by crises including COVID-19, climate change, and deepening inequalities.

At the conference, member states made nine commitments, including improving biodiversity, tackling malnutrition, and building resilience in the least developed countries (LDCs).

Among these commitments, Qatar announced a financial package of $60 million, Germany dedicated €200 million in new financing for LDCs, and Canada committed $59 million to deliver Vitamin supplements in 15 LDCs and ecosystem conservation in Burkina Faso.

Other commitments included cooperation agreements advancing sustainable investments in Africa announced by the EU Commission, an annual event called the United Nations LDC Future Forum in Helsinki announced by Finland and a new project to give $80 million in equity to offer green guarantees to businesses in LDCs and bring down the cost of capital announced by the Green Climate Fund.

Additionally, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation announced a new €10 million 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.

In her closing remarks, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stated that achieving the SDGs in the LDCs is a litmus test for achieving the 2030 Agenda writ large, including ensuring that no one - and no LDC - is left behind.

She emphasized that the Doha Programme of Action must be seen as a vehicle for SDG acceleration and that the conference aimed to drive transformational change to positively affect the 1.2 billion people who live in the LDCs.

Rabab Fatima, Secretary General of the Conference and UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, stated that the commitments made during the conference are a true embodiment of global solidarity and partnership and will pave the way for a new era of international cooperation.

She added that these commitments will result in more LDCs achieving the goal of graduation and a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Corporate leaders, civil society, youth, and other partners shared plans, innovations, and recommendations in several areas, including enhancing the participation of LDCs in international trade and regional integration, addressing climate change, strengthening global partnerships, supporting graduation, and leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation.

Discussions at LDC5 focused on delivering the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022–2031, which aims to manifest a new generation of renewed and strengthened commitments between the LDCs and their partners, including the private sector, civil society, and governments.

The UN believes that the agreements reached during the conference will help the LDCs to address the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, return to a pathway to achieve the SDGs, address climate change, and make strides towards sustainable and irreversible development.

Nine of the following commitments were made by member states at the end of the conference. These commitments range from improving biodiversity and tackling malnutrition to resilience building in the LDCs:

1. Qatar announced a financial package of $60 million: $10m to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and $50 million to help build resilience in the LDCs. 

1. Germany dedicated €200 million in new money in 2023 for financing for least developed countries.

1. Canada announced $59 million to deliver Vitamin supplements in 15 LDCs and ecosystem conservation in Burkina Faso.  

1. The EU Commission announced cooperation agreements advancing sustainable investments in Africa totalling more than €130 million of investment.

1. Finland announced an annual event called the United Nations LDC Future Forum in Helsinki, with the Office of the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States – OHRLLS –, to ensure the latest thinking and research is being put to work to ensure progress on the most vulnerable states.

1. The Green Climate Fund announced a new project to give $80 million in equity to offer green guarantees to business in LDCs and bring down the cost of capital.

1. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation, announced a new €10 million 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.

1. The government of Kazakhstan pledged $50,000 to continue their work supporting the most vulnerable member states of the United Nations.

1. The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced a major new loan package for the Least Developed Countries.

LDC5 was attended by 5,000 participants, including 47 Heads of State or Government and 130 Ministers and Vice-Ministers.