缅北禁地

Report on the 26th session of the Committee for Development Policy (4-8 March 2024) The present report contains the main findings and recommendations of the Committee for Development Policy at its twenty-sixth session. As its contribution to the theme of the 2024 session of the Economic and Social Council, the Committee addressed the challenges and opportunities of innovation ecosystems for development, structural change and equity. It also undertook the triennial review of the least developed countries; the monitoring of countries that are graduating or have graduated from the list of least developed countries; a discussion of graduation in the global context; and other activities related to the least developed countries in support of a smooth transition from the least developed country category. The Committee analysed the challenges and opportunities of innovation ecosystems for development, structural change and equity. Innovation can be a powerful driver of sustainable development, yet that potential remains vastly underrealized, particularly in developing countries but also for public interest purposes across the world. The current global crises and shifts in the global economy and innovation landscape are reshaping challenges and opportunities for harnessing technology for sustainable development. That requires a reassessment of science, technology and innovation policy frameworks by national Governments and global institutions to create an effective national and global innovation system fit for the twenty-first century. Intellectual property rights are one of the key policy levers in a functioning innovation ecosystem to advance development, structural change and equity, and build resilience to crises. Developing countries require policy frameworks for innovation tailored to their specific priorities and could make more effective use of the existing policy space to pursue priorities for development, equity and productive capacity. The global system in place to support innovation for development needs to be reassessed to be made fit for purpose to ensure innovation for global and regional public goods and for countries to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. The Committee conducted its triennial review of the list of least developed countries. It recommended Cambodia, Djibouti and Senegal for graduation and found that those countries require a five-year preparatory period. It deferred its decision on a possible recommendation for graduation of the Comoros and Myanmar to the 2027 triennial review. In that review, it will also consider whether Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, which met the graduation criteria for the first time in 2024, can be recommended for graduation. In its enhanced monitoring of countries that are graduating or have graduated from the least developed country category, the Committee reviewed the development progress of three recently graduated countries and six graduating countries. Expressing concern over the limited national capacity of those countries to address various challenges, including those stemming from rising food and fuel prices, less affordable finance, geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity prices, high transportation costs and more frequent and severe disasters, the Committee underscored the importance of addressing those issues with continued support from trading and development partners, as well as United Nations entities. The Committee found that Angola no longer met the criteria for graduation and concluded that the graduation process would recommence when Angola met the criteria for graduation again at a future triennial review.