缅北禁地

Zambia’s economic progress meant that in 2021 it became eligible for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category – but the pandemic’s effects on supply chains, tourism, retail, and manufacturing also caused the country’s first recession since 1998.

Bhutan’s scheduled graduation in December 2023 is due to unprecedented progress in lowering poverty rates and increasing the average Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but its economy still struggles with inefficiency, a weak supply chain, youth unemployment and rising public debt.

And while the “Juba Agreement for Peace” of 2020 had a considerable positive effect on Sudan’s development, the country is still enduring inter-tribal conflict and acute food insecurity.

These were just three stories of progress and struggle shared at a recent meeting of OHRLLS’ National Focal Points (NFPs) from Least Developed Countries - a global network of representatives nominated by each government, designed to ensure the work on LDCs is informed by ground-level experience and expertise. This year’s meeting – the first since the adoption of the new Doha Programme of Action - was held in Kigali, Rwanda.

OHRLLS monitors sustainable development progress in the LDCs. Working hand-in-hand with the National Focal Points, the office supports and encourages the integration of the Doha Programme of Action into national development strategies.

“Domestication is key to realise the goals of the Doha Programme of Action. Rwanda has been doing this through the ” said Chantal Tuyishimire, National Focal Point of Rwanda.

The climate emergency, COVID-19 pandemic, and the consequences on food prices of the war in Ukraine are affecting each of the world’s Least Developed Countries. Specific national development plans are necessary to respond to these compounding crises and restore the progress made.

“Realising the new [Doha Programme of Action] means not just looking at and analysing general data,” said Mr Jacques Michel Marc Anglade, National Focal Point of Haiti, “but focusing on the real challenges, the real problems and the constraints that hinder LDCs – honestly and frankly.”

The retreat provided an opportunity for National Focal Points to share experiences and best practices in realising previous programmes of action through national development plans.

Ms Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Acting-High-Representative for Least Developed Countries said, “as we head back to our countries, this meeting was an opportunity to reflect on past successes and lessons learned as we mainstream the Doha Programme of Action in national development plans.”