Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - Vienna Programme of Action

Bridging half trillion-dollar funding gap is key to connectivity for Landlocked Developing Countries

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 12:09:00 +0000

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USG Rabab Fatima addresses the ministerial conference in Awaza, Turkmenistan

OHRLLS

Border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of those developing countries without direct access to the sea, and only increased cooperation, digitalisation and investment can build their resilience against future crises.

So concluded transport ministers from Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) who gathered this week in Awaza, Turkmenistan, for a two-day conference on how to close the estimated $500bn finance gap that prevents them from building the sustainable transport infrastructure they need.

In reference to COVID-19, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an opening message to the conference, “the ensuing economic slowdown has curtailed the ability of governments to finance long-term infrastructure projects. We must work together to get transport back on track.”

It is often the case that the LLDCs – those countries that rely on transport more than any other group – tend to have poorly developed transit networks. This seeming contradiction is at the heart of their development challenge. With trade costs that are up to 50% higher than those of coastal developing countries, the finance to invest in sustainable transport can be hard to find.

The Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Mr Rashid Meredov, said, “Only through solidarity and mutual understanding and cooperation between our countries will we accomplish the connectivity needed to put us back on track towards the achievement of the priorities of the Vienna Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Over half a billion people live in the 32 landlocked developing countries and they were hit hard and in unique ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. When international borders closed, their structural and geographical vulnerabilities were laid bare. PPE, ventilators, and other response tools became extremely difficult to import, hampering response efforts. And exports decreased, resulting in a sharp decline in income.

Climate change, too, affects the LLDCs in particular ways: more disasters, higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, melting permafrost and desertification all represent major threats to transport infrastructure and services.

The High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms Rabab Fatima, whose office organised the conference with the Government of Turkmenistan, said, “The COVID economy, with its high inflation and global supply chain issues, have made it even more difficult for LLDCs to invest in transport connectivity. The only solution is a new, super-charged and creative drive for financing and partnerships for sustainable transport infrastructure in LLDCs.”

Ministers at the conference called for:

Greater collaboration on capacity building, data use, road safety, formulating bankable infrastructure projects, and the greater use of information and communication technologies in transport and transit systems.
The international community to urgently mobilize investments, technologies, and capacity-building for sustainable transport and for the use of pandemic recovery funds to be disbursed in favour of development of physical infrastructure for sustainable transport in LLDCs and transit countries.
Leveraging investment and financing for LLDCs’ transport infrastructure from all available sources, especially from development partners, international and regional financing institutions, and the private sector.
Increased investment and partnerships in climate resilient infrastructure and to increase the sustainability and resilience of transport systems in LLDCs and transit countries.

Under the theme, “Ashgabat Process: Financing for Better Connectivity”, the meeting brought together ministers of transport from Landlocked Developing Countries to tackle the challenge of getting their transport infrastructures up to speed. To reach global average railway and paved road density, more than 46,000 kilometres of railways and nearly 200,000 kilometres of paved roads need to be constructed.

The Conference is part of the preparatory process of Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs in 2024 and its outcome will contribute towards the thematic preparations for that meeting.

Ends.

For more information contact Conor O’Loughlin, Head of Advocacy & Outreach, UN-OHRLLS, conor.oloughlin@un.org

Notes to Editors:

The Vienna Programme of Action is a global compact to address the specific challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries and contribute to the eradication of poverty through improving six priority areas: efficient access to the sea; lower transport costs; infrastructure development and maintenance; simplifying rules and regulations; better use of data; and increased global trade.
The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) supports groups of vulnerable countries in the United Nations System. It is led by Under Secretary-General and High Representative Rabab Fatima.

Front Page Article:

Statement on the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 21:30:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

21 December 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I would like to join others in congratulating you on your assumption of the chairmanship of the Board of Governors. I also thank the Chair for giving me the opportunity to join this meeting as an observer and to update the Board on the activities undertaken by OHRLLS in support of the LLDCs.

I also thank the International Think Tank for the continued close and growing collaboration with OHRLLS.

It may be useful to share with all of you a brief summary on UN-OHRLLS.

OHRLLS , through the High Representative, reports directly to The �山��Secretary General.

What do we do ?

A key task is to assist the Secretary-General in ensuring the full mobilization and coordination of all parts of the United Nations system for the LLDCs, LDCs and SIDS benefit.

We are there to facilitate what we call the coordinated implementation of and coherence in the follow-up and monitoring of the programmes of Action for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.

This we are to undertake at the country, regional and global levels.

A key role of OHRLLS is to advocate for, to be a voice for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS and assist in mobilizing international support.

In short, we are your dedicated focal point.

Excellencies,

The last Board meeting of the Think Tank that I attended took place in June 2018.

Since, the �山��General Assembly convened the Midterm review of the Vienna Programme of Action in December 2019.

The midterm review showed that LLDCs continue to make efforts to address their development challenges. Yet, the LLDCs remain behind in achieving the SDGs and the goals of the VPoA.

The progress we could see is encouraging.

But what is of concern is that the LLDCs continue to lag behind the averages of all the developing countries and certainly global averages on many socioeconomic development indicators.

The review showed that economic growth actually declined since the adoption of the VPoA in 2014.

One third of the LLDCs population still live in extreme poverty.

Very little progress has been achieved in structural economic transformation.

The LLDCs’ share of manufacturing value added in GDP remained at about 10 percent in 2019.

The share of merchandise exports remained below 1 per cent.

LLDCs continue to face major constraints that include infrastructural gaps and the relatively high cost of ICT services, and generally high trade costs.

These structural challenges, including LLDCs’ dependency on their transit neighbors for trade, their high dependency on export of commodities, the weak public health services, and limited financial resources are considerable hurdles.

Of course given this picture, COVID-19 has now had significant impact on the LLDCs’ development including their ability to fight COVID-19.

Just take the closing of borders and the imposition of border restrictions by neighboring transit countries in their efforts to curtail the spread of the virus and you have extremely concerning negative impacts on LLDCs’ trade.

The transport and logistics industries which play such crucial role for the economies of many of the LLDCs and are the backbone of trade are greatly impacted.

LLDCs also face quite major losses of foreign exchange earnings due to the decline in commodity prices.

So, while the situation was already complex prior to the pandemic, we now see risks of serious reversals in development gains that LLDCs have made over the years.

It is NOW that we must pay special attention to LLDCs and support them in their fight against COVID-19 and in their efforts to build back better.

More than ever, OHRLLS continues to advocate for enhanced support to LLDCs.

Excellencies,

The International Think Tank for LLDCs is there to be a center of excellence for LLDCs.

It is to use top-quality research that translates into policy formulation and ultimately into action. The Think Tank’s role is therefore critical in the implementation of the VPoA and Agenda 2030.

It is there to advocate for the LLDCs, to find solutions and provide policy recommendation to help the LLDCs build back better post COVID-19.

OHRLLS and the Think Tank thus have a shared objective of assisting LLDCs in remedying to their specific development constraints and challenges.

Ever since 2014, we have collaborated on numerous activities and events.

We collaborated in organizing specific events to raise awareness of the work of the Think Tank and to advocate for accession to the Multilateral Agreement on Establishment of the Think Tank.

But much more remains to be done to increase the visibility of the Think Tank.

The Think Tank and OHRLLS signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2020.(as earlier mentioned by the Amb. Odbayar)

It is my sincere hope that this will further strengthen our collaboration and enhance the visibility of the Think Tank.

We now have a framework to facilitate joint research and analytical work to better inform the formulation and monitoring of policies aimed at accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the VPoA.

We have a framework to organize joint events and capacity building support and to promote the exchange of best practices on thematic areas relevant to the VPoA.

Indeed, we must enhance cooperation at a time when there is an urgent need to build back better given the impacts of COVID-19 in LLDCs.

I am happy to report that since the signing of the Memorandum, we have jointly worked on a report on the Impact of COVID-19 and Responses in LLDCs.

We want to scale-up joint initiatives and explore new opportunities to collaborate for the effective realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and the VPoA objectives by LLDCs.

So as to enhance collaborative efforts and to also assist in increasing the visibility of the Think Tank, OHRLLS invited the Think Tank to be part of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group on LLDCs.

This Group has a wide membership of over 50 Agencies, including key �山��Agencies, regional organization, development banks, as well as other key international organizations including the World Trade Organizations and the World Bank Group.

I hope for a very active participation of the International Think Tank in the Inter-Agency Consultative Group. It is an opportunity to broaden its network and collaboration with other organizations working on LLDCs issues.

Excellencies,

The pandemic has brought most economies to their knees.

As the saying goes, any threat also harbors opportunities. The opportunities are ours to seize.

I see the opportunity to rebuild better in a post-pandemic future.

Yes we can and yes we must.

We can build socio-economic resilience through increasing the trade potential of LLDCs; enhance investment in transport infrastructure and increased connectivity; increase digital technology and enhanced regional integration, we must work for better cooperation between LLDCs and transit countries; we must enhance food security; build climate resilience; and importantly, we must increase efforts to address COVID-19.

So, we look forward to working with the Think Tank on some of these areas.

At the beginning of this year which, I am sure, we all are happy to leave behind!

The Group of LLDCs requested the United Nations to develop a visionary Roadmap to accelerate the implementation of the VPoA.

Guided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, OHRLLS led the coordination and development of the Roadmap.

More than 40 �山��system entities and other international and regional organizations, and first and foremost the Member States of the Group of the LLDCs provided their inputs to the Roadmap.

The Roadmap provides a framework for accelerated action in key areas that require dedicated and urgent focus including COVID-19.

The LLDCs Foreign Affairs Ministers adopted the Roadmap during their Annual meeting held in the margins of the 75th Session of the �山��General Assembly.

We now must make every effort to ensure that the Roadmap is fully implemented !

OHRLLS will lead the regular reviews of the Roadmap and its implementation as well as the reporting. I thank the Think Tank for providing inputs to the Roadmap.

Beyond that, OHRLLS recently launched the #MostVulnerable91 campaign.

We argue that the scale of COVID-19 related funding spent so far by international partners to support the 91 most vulnerable countries, including the LLDCs is considerable but remains comparatively when looking at overall global spending.

More support is needed and OHRLLS has stepped up its efforts to advocate for enhanced support.

Excellencies,

Allow me to now brief you on some of our key activities planned for 2021.

OHRLLs in collaboration with the Government of Kazakhstan plans to hold a Ministerial Meeting on Trade for LLDCs in the margins of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in June 2021.

OHRLLs is working with the Government of Turkmenistan to organize a Ministerial Transport Conference for LLDCs at a date still to be determined.

We also work with ESCAP, ECE, ECA, ECLAC and UN-DESA to organize a training for LLDC policy makers on how to promote transport infrastructure connectivity and development/maintenance of climate resilient transport infrastructure.

On the advocacy front, we plan to organize side events during such major international meetings as the second �山��Global Sustainable Transport Conference, High-level Political Forum, the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development follow-up, WTO Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking event 23-25 March 2021 and the UNCTAD-15 Conference.

Excellencies,

in closing, I assure you that you have OHRLLS continued support for the work of the Think Tank.

I very much look forward to our strengthened collaboration so together we can enhance our support to the LLDCs.

OHRLLS will also continue our joint efforts with the Think Tank to advocate for the full ratification of the Multilateral Agreement on the Establishment of the Think Tank and the much needed enhanced support to the Think Tank.

I thank you.

Front Page Article:

Enhancing the role of the private sector in implementing the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Thursday, 03 December 2020 - 11:00am to 12:45pm

BACKGROUND

The Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (VPoA) highlights that renewed and strengthened partnerships with the private sector is critical to the successful implementation of the VPoA. The role of the private sector is highlighted in almost all the priority areas of the VPoA including: improving transit facilitation and establishing efficient transit transport regimes; infrastructure development and maintenance; trade facilitation reforms, structural economic transformation and in the overall implementation of the VPoA.

OBJECTIVES

The event will highlight how the ICC and the Alliance are working with the private sector to promote the implementation of the VPoA and the 2030 Agenda and in addressing the impact of COVID-19. Particular focus will be on mobilization of private sector support in trade facilitation and interventions to strengthen private sector implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action through supply chain resilience and capacity building for Small and Medium Enterprises. Specific case examples of effective practices will be shared and possible areas of partnerships will be identified.

PARTICIPATION

The briefing will be attended by ambassadors and experts from LLDCs.

FORMAT

The meeting will be virtual and will be held for one and half hours back to back with the LLDC Ambassadorial meeting. The event will feature presentations by the ICC and the Alliance and will be followed by an interactive dialogue with members of the LLDC Group.

ORGANISERS

The briefing is organized by Chair of LLDCs, Kazakhstan and UN-OHRLLS in close in collaboration with International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

The briefing is intended to strengthen the relationship between LLDC member states and the International Chamber of Commerce and its subsidiary and affiliate entities, including the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation. Following the briefing, member-states are invited to undertake bilateral discussions with ICC and the Alliance to identify concrete interventions and advocacy activities which enhance private sector implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action.

DOCUMENTS

Background Materials

Statements

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Landlocked Developing Countries

Vienna Programme of Action

Private Sector

Categories:

Events

LLDCs

Briefing on the Secretary-General's Report on Development Progress in Landlocked and Least Developing Countries

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 20:52:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 October 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my privilege to introduce two reports to you.

They are the Secretary-General’s 2020 Reports on:

the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries and
the report on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries.

I will start with the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries.

This report had been prepared in the run-up to the Fifth �山��Conference on the LDCs.

The report, together with the online Statistical Annex, documents progress towards implementation of the IPoA.

It draws lessons learned from the experience of the LDCs, the experience of development partners, and draws on inputs from across the �山��system.

The report highlights successes for the LDCs in areas such as access to electricity, ICT, and safe water and sanitation. The report provides several key indicators on poverty, health and gender equality.

What stands out is an unprecedented progress towards graduation, with 12 LDCs at various stages in the process.

On the other hand, the objectives of achieving structural transformation and building productive capacity, and of combating poverty through high rates of economic growth and decent jobs powered by export growth, have not been realized.

Declining commodity prices, especially since 2013, have diminished the value of exports and foreign currency earnings.

This has contributed to exacerbating debt burdens. Natural hazards, especially climate-related phenomena such as hurricanes, cyclones, flooding, drought and landslides, have caused devastating loss and damage to lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.

Many countries remain excluded from the increasing digitally driven economy, given limited universal and sustained access to both electricity and high-speed internet.

Since the report was published, the COVID-19 pandemic literally rages.

The LDCs have been disproportionally affected. Their decline in global demand and prices is dramatic and notably for key LDC exports.

Tourism has taken beyond a severe hit.

Closures continues to trigger rising unemployment, especially in the informal sector. Remittances have severely dropped off.

The loss of livelihoods is projected to drive millions back into extreme poverty.

Food and nutrition insecurity are on the rise, and at-risk groups are increasingly vulnerable.

The debt situation is becoming increasingly dire for many.

The impacts of the pandemic will be far-reaching and felt for years to come.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequalities and how they keep growing within countries, between countries, regions and at the global level.

The LDCs’ structural vulnerabilities are visible to all of us and there is absolute urgency to build resilience and redouble efforts towards achieving the SDGs. It is not tomorrow’s, it is now.

This brings me to the need for the new Programme of Action for the LDCs.

Such a programme will be adopted by Member States in Doha.

The programme must provide an overarching framework for addressing recovery efforts, building back better, building back inclusively and driving efforts towards the Decade for Action in the LDCs.

We are relaunching the LDC5 preparatory process with renewed resolve and determination.

The General Assembly has agreed on the new dates and schedule for the preparatory meetings and conference.

The conference is set for 23-27 January 2022, in Doha, Qatar, with the two Preparatory Committee meetings slotted for May and July of 2021 in New York.

I would like to thank the host country Qatar for its generous support to the Conference. I thank also the other contributors to the process, including Turkey and Finland, and invite others to join these efforts.

The �山��system is also stepping up.

Last year’s UNIDO LDC Ministerial provided valuable inputs.

Just a few days ago, the Human Rights Council considered this year’s Report on the Right to Development which is dedicated to the LDC5 process.

The upcoming WTO Ministerial and UNCTAD XV Conferences will include important inputs to LDC5.

The ILO is preparing a special report. There are many other initiatives too numerous to list.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In closing, I would like to assure you of OHRLLS’ and my own full and unwavering support to the LDCs through this crisis and beyond.

We must not leave the peoples of the LDCs and we must craft a robust and ambitious new Programme of Action.

I invite all Member States and stakeholders to join and work together this critical endeavour.

I now turn to the Secretary-General’s Report on the LLDCs.

Mr. Chairman,

I now turn to document A/75/285, the Report of the Secretary General on the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the decade 2014-2024.

The report reviews progress in the implementation of the priorities of the programme.

The report provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on LLDCs and suggests recommendations for accelerating progress.

The LLDCs continued to exhibit mixed progress in their socioeconomic development.

The LLDCs and transit countries have continued to make efforts to implement regional, and sub regional initiatives to support transit.

All the 26 LLDCs that are WTO Members have ratified the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation.

Regarding the key goal of transport corridors, some transport corridors such as CAREC corridors in Asia, parts of Northern Corridor in Africa, and Santa Cruz-Tambo Quemado-Arica in Latin America have achieved the VPoA goal of reducing travel time along corridors to 300-400 kilometers every 24 hours.

The COVID-19 pandemic however threatens this progress.

We see continued border restrictions aimed at combatting the spread of the virus. The pandemic has far reaching impacts on the movement of people and goods in transit and on vital access to seaports. It cuts essential lifelines for LLDCs.

LLDCs continue in their efforts to expand road and rail networks, construct and/or modernize their airports.

A key challenge are missing links, operational limitations and limited funding.

On energy, the average proportion of population with access to electricity in LLDCs increased from 56.3% in 2017 to 58.7% in 2018. LLDCs continue to lag behind the world average of 89.6%.

The percentage of individuals using internet in LLDCs was estimated to be 25.3% in 2018, while the world average of 51.4%.

The often-prohibitive cost for broadband continues to be a challenge for LLDCs. We all have seen and actually lived how digital connectivity has become crucial during this time as it enables the delivery of essential services while complying to social distancing protocols

LLDCs continue to be marginalized from global trade.

Their share of global merchandise exports was estimated to be about 1% in 2019. Exports remain highly concentrated in primary commodities. LLDCs’ participation in global exports of commercial services also remains negligible. It is estimated at 0.7% in 2018.

Addressing high trade cost faced by LLDCs remains crucial.

Sadly, the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement continues to lag.

The LLDCs’ rate of implementation of the Agreement is estimated to be approximately 35%. The introduction of border measures aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 threatens this very limited progress.

The interest in regional integration and cooperation among LLDCs and their neighbors is growing. On average, an LLDC is party to four regional trade agreements.

Very little progress has been made on structural economic transformation envisaged by the programme.

The share of manufacturing value added in GDP remained between 10.2% and 10.4% between 2016 and 2019.

ODA to LLDCs decreased from $29.2 billion in 2017 to $28 billion, in 2018 constant prices.

FDI flows to LLDCs also declined between 2018 and 2019.

I must add that these averages hide that both ODA and FDI continue to be concentrated in a few LLDCs. Furthermore, FDI is mainly directed to the extractive industry.

As we know, the ongoing COVID pandemic has caused a dramatic decline in global demand.

There is drastic decline in commodity prices.

It has greatly impacted LLDCs’ foreign currency earnings.

Their debt vulnerability has grown by multiples.

So, what is being done by OHRLLS and the �山��system.

Several activities were undertaken by OHRLLS and other �山��agencies to facilitate the implementation of the VPoA.

OHRLLS through its Inter-Agency Consultative Group for LLDCs, and in consultation with the relevant �山��system and other international and regional organizations, developed a Roadmap for the Accelerated Implementation of the VPoA.

The roadmap provides a detailed mapping of concrete activities and deliverables. The roadmap was adopted by LLDCs’ Foreign Affairs Ministers last month.

Mr. Chairman,

I believe none of us had any idea on how 2020 would unfold.

As we note in the report, the pandemic now poses the risk of serious reversals in development gains that LLDCs have made over the years.

It also notes that climate change crisis, desertification and other disasters continue to be a threat to the LLDCs’ development endeavors.

In closing, and in line with the report findings, I must stress that the LLDCs require continued and enhanced investment and technical assistance to further accelerate the implementation of all the priorities of the VPoA.

There must be greater cooperation between the LLDCs and transit countries and deepened regional integration.

The report calls on multilateral and regional development banks to support LLDCs to make investments and catalyze private finance for addressing the gaps in LLDCs in areas such as transport infrastructure, renewable energy, ICT and climate action.

The report encourages the creditors to take bolder actions to support LLDCs with debt relief in order to free up liquidity and invest more in their health systems and economic recovery.

The report emphasizes that the implementation of the VPoA needs to be anchored in strong efforts to address the impact of COVID-19 and transformative recovery aimed at reducing risk to future crises.

In sum, what is at stake is the right to development of the peoples of the LLDCs and our responsibility of not leaving them behind.

I thank you.

Front Page Article:

Secretary-General's Reports on Development Progress in Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:43:00 +0000

Thursday, 08 October 2020 - 3:00pm to 6:00pm

On 8 October, the Second Committee took up Item 23: Groups of countries in special situations:

Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries and;
Follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

USG 'Utoikamanu introduced the Secretary-General's reports on both these items in her statement.

Istanbul Programme of Action

On the Istanbul Programme of Action, notable progress has been made on access to electricity, ICT, and safe water and sanitation, as well as several key indicators on poverty, health and gender equality. However, the IPoA ambitions of achieving structural transformation and building productive capacity, and of combating poverty through high rates of economic growth and decent jobs powered by export growth, have not been realized. The impact of COVID-19 has also had a severe impact on LDCs, the extent of which has yet to be assessed. Meanwhile, the preparatory process for LDC5, which had been on standby due to the pandemic, is being relaunched with renewed momentum, on the road to new dates for LDC5 in January 2022, in Qatar. The report is available here.

Vienna Programme of Action

On the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA), until the end of 2019, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) had exhibited mixed progress towards their socioeconomic development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Progress has been realized on some indicators including poverty and selected health and gender equality indicators. Food insecurity and employment exhibited a declining trend. Progress achieved in the implementation of VPoA priorities still falls short of achieving the targets set. LLDCs still fall below the world averages on trade, ICT, energy, transport infrastructure development and structural economic transformation. ODA and FDI flows to LLDCs continue to decline. The emergence and spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has an unprecedented impact on LLDCs and the implementation of the priority areas of the VPoA. The relevant �山��system entities and other international and regional organizations developed a Roadmap for the Accelerated Implementation of the VPoA in the remaining five years. The Roadmap provides a detailed mapping of concrete activities and deliverables. The report is available here.

Photo: Customers practising social-distancing outside a shop in Kampala, Uganda. The coronavirus pandemic threatens to reverse development progress around the world. Jacqueline Banya / ILO-Kampala

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Least Developed Countries

Landlocked Developing Countries

Istanbul Programme of Action

Vienna Programme of Action

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Landlocked Ministers at General Assembly Call for Enhanced Support to Respond to COVID-19

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 19:02:00 +0000

zimbabwe_kb_mpofu_ilo.jpg

A Zimbabwean detergent manufacturing company has started making hand sanitising gel to protect against COVID-19.

KB Mpofu / ILO

NEW YORK 24 September 2020 – Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) met virtually on the margins of the �山��General Assembly on September 23 and expressed concern about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their countries.

Meeting under the theme, “Partnering for accelerated implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achieving sustainable development in LLDCs in the era of COVID-19,” they also pointed out major challenges yet to be addressed in their development progress.

The Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA) is an ambitious plan agreed in 2014 to help LLDCs increase connectivity, expand trade and structural transformation, and enhance competitiveness in pursuit of development goals. However, during a review at the end of 2019, it was found that LLDCs are off track to achieve the programme’s goals by the ten-year deadline in 2024.

Ministers also stressed that the implementation of the VPoA needs to be anchored in efforts to combat COVID-19 and called on all concerned parties to support them through the pandemic and beyond. Their key allies in this response include their neighbours, on whom access to sea ports is dependent; the private sector; and the international system itself.

�山��Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres spoke at the meeting and reminded ministers to

“keep our focus on stopping the pandemic. The availability of future vaccines to all developing countries, including the Landlocked Developing Countries, is fundamental to any sustainable global recovery.”

At the meeting, ministers adopted a Declaration that addresses the structural challenges hampering development progress in LLDCs.

The Declaration calls for more investment in transport and energy infrastructure and digital connectivity, amongst other priority areas. It also requests further support to accelerate the implementation of the VPoA.

To renew efforts to meet the 2024 target, minister adopted an ambitious new plan, called the Roadmap for Accelerated Implementation of the VPoA, which identifies seven thematic priority action areas of critical importance to the sustainable development of the LLDCs. These are (1) Transit, trade and transport facilitation; (2) Energy and ITC; (3) Structural economic transformation; (4) Cooperation between LLDCs and transit countries; (5) Means of implementation and international support; (6) COVID-19; and (7) International Coordination.

H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Global Chair of the Group of LLDCs, said of the Roadmap, that

“it will help to join efforts of the �山��agencies and international organizations, transit countries, development partners, private sector and other interested stakeholders. We need to … ensure better practical results on the ground in the remaining five years.”

Ministers, senior government officials and experts from LLDCs, transit developing countries and development partners as well as heads of United Nations system and international organizations attended the meeting. President of the 75th Session of the �山��General Assembly, H.E. Volkan Bozkir was also in attendance.

Finally, ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations on its seventy-fifth anniversary and agreed their commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism.

United Nations High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, said

“Strengthening regional cooperation between LLDCs and transit countries, in particular on transit and transport along important corridors and promoting public and private partnerships is now more critical than ever.”

She concluded, “We all must come together and strengthen multilateral capacity to provide dedicated support to what is the most vulnerable group of countries and people.”

For further information on this meeting, please go here

Front Page Article:

Statement on the Progress on Implementing the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs and Impact of COVID-19

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 13:51:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

23 September 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, thank you Your Excellency Tleuberdi, for inviting me to this meeting.

I also wish to express appreciation for Kazakhstan’s leadership and commitment to the work of the Group of LLDCs.

The theme of

“Partnering for accelerated implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achieving sustainable development in LLDCs in the era of COVID-19” is timely and relevant.

Few us reckoned last year with how 2020 would unfold.

The midterm review held in December 2019 had already called for accelerated implementation of the VPoA in its remaining 5 years.

With the manifold, many not yet even known and still continuing COVID-19 pandemic impacts, we must more than ever come together to find innovative strategies to achieve this mandate and the SDGs in LLDCs.

Excellencies,

LLDCs make efforts to address their development challenges but they remain behind in achieving the SDGs and the objectives of the Vienna Programme of Action.

Progress has been realized in some SDGs and VPoA targets.

Overall, LLDCs lag behind the averages of all the developing countries and of the world on many socioeconomic development indicators.

LLDC average growth in real per capita GDP declined from 2.3% in 2018 to 1.4% in 2019.

The unemployment rate stood at an average 4.5% in 2019. Youth and women are disproportionally affected.

Food insecurity indicators continue to exhibit deteriorating trends.

Between 2015 to 2018, we saw a quite modest decline of about 3 percentage points in the population living below the international poverty line of US$1.90.

Such health-related indicators as maternal, under-five and infant mortality, to HIV incidence, and vaccinations also recorded a modest progress. Now, COVID-19 threatens to reverse this very limited progress.

We all know of the high vulnerability of LLDCs to the negative impacts of climate change, especially drought, desertification, land degradation and the melting of glaciers.

This continues to be of serious concern. Land covered by forests has declined from 17.2% in 2015 to 16.8% in 2020.

LLDCs and their transit neighbors continue to make efforts to implement the much needed regional and sub-regional initiatives to facilitate transit.

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to also reverse progress in this area.

Countries continue to impose border restrictions in their efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

LLDCs’ share of global merchandise trade remained low at about 1 percent in 2019. Their exports continue to be concentrated on very limited products with 26 of the LLDCs dependent on primary commodities for more than 60% of their exports.

The impact of COVID-19 on the commodities markets and thus the commodity dependent countries accelerates the looming LLDCs debt crisis. Thirteen LLDCs are already classified as Highly Indebted Poor Countries. In some countries, the level of external debt exceeds gross national income.

Very little progress has been achieved in the much needed structural economic transformation.

LLDC’s share of manufacturing value added in GDP stagnated at about 10 percent in 2019. The share of services value added in GDP declined from 47.3% in 2017 to 46.6% in 2019.

This limited diversification of economic activity leaves LLDCs more vulnerable than ever to new shocks and disruptions including from COVID-19.

Many times we have recalled that we must address the high trade costs faced by LLDCs.

It is indeed encouraging that all LLDCs that are WTO members have ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Implementation, however, remains low at about 35%.

This limited and slow progress is now threatened by the introduction of measures aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Enhanced support is needed to build the capacity of the LLDCs and transit developing countries to implement initiatives aimed at facilitating trade.

Achieving an enabling environment for private sector development remains a challenge in many LLDCs. Almost a third of LLDCs ranked in the bottom quarter of ease of doing business according to the 2020 edition of the World Bank’s Doing business.

On infrastructure development, LLDCs have made progress in expanding their road and rail networks. This is of course costly, it takes time and challenges include missing links, operational limitations and limited funding.

Regarding energy, in 2018, the average proportion of population with access to electricity in LLDCs increased from 56.3% in 2017 to 58.7% .

Yet, LLDCs still lag behind the world average of 89.6% and there is still a wide rural-urban gap.

On ICT, the proportion of individuals using internet was estimated to be 25.3% in 2018 which is way below the world average of 51.4%.

The high costs for broadband continue to be a challenge.

Digital connectivity has proven to be indispensable during this time of COVID-19 and therefore investments and support are urgently needed to reduce the digital divide.

To sum it up, it is NOW that the LLDCs need enhanced support to achieve the VPoA objectives and the SDGs.

It is thus of great concern that ODA to LLDCs continues to decline.

In 2018, ODA to LLDCs decreased from $29.2 billion in 2017 to $28 billion, in 2018. Also, ODA remains concentrated in a few LLDCs.

FDI flows also declined and are concentrated on few LLDCs and their extractive sectors.

Excellencies,

It is NOW that faster and enhanced multilateral effort and greater cooperation at regional and sub-regional levels are needed.

To play their part, 40 �山��system agencies and relevant international and regional organizations contributed to the development of the Roadmap for Accelerated Implementation of the VPoA at the request of the Chair of LLDCs.

This is a sign of the strong and lasting commitment of the �山��system and other international and regional organizations to support the implementation of the VPoA and help address the challenges of LLDCs.

OHRLLS not only facilitated the development of the Roadmap but continues to provide substantive support, including advocacy, for enhanced support to LLDCs.

We stepped up all these efforts in light of the devastating impact of COVID-19.

OHRLLS organized several events. The topics pertained to :

addressing sovereign debt distress;

Food Security;

universal Access to Resilient Connectivity.

OHRLLS in collaboration with WCO issued a joint statement calling for trade and transit facilitation to and from LLDCS during the Pandemic.

OHRLLS, UNCTAD, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC and UNESCAP issued a joint call for Smooth Transit and Transport Facilitation to and from LLDCs.

OHRLLS also published a report on effective Transit Transport Corridor Development and Management: Report on Best Practices.

The role of LLDCs is fundamental to achieving full implementation and the VPOA. Once more, I call on the LLDCs to redouble domestic efforts to implement the VPoA including by mainstreaming its priorities into national development strategies and sectoral plans.

The support of �山��Resident Coordinators is fundamental in this regard.

Excellencies,

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the great divide of our times, inequality and so many other vulnerabilities. It has deepened existing vulnerabilities.

The LLDCs are no exception to this.

The LLDCs need faster, deeper and greater cooperation at all levels to address COVID-19 and mitigate its impact.

There is need for LLDCs and transit countries to enhance cross-border collaboration.

They must ensure coordinated interventions between national border agencies.

Facilitating the smooth movement of goods and keeping borders open for trade is fundamental.

In this regard it is important for Governments and organizations in the regions to collaborate to keep cross-border transport corridors and regional transport networks open while protecting public health.

Governments around the globe must go beyond just minimizing disruptions to international transport. We must view the crisis as an opportunity to reorient international freight transport operations towards a more sustainable path.

Strengthening regional cooperation between LLDCs and transit countries, in particular on transit and transport along important corridors and promoting public and private partnerships is now more critical than ever.

We all must come together and strengthen multilateral capacity to provide dedicated support to what is the most vulnerable group of countries and people.

Once again , I assure you that OHRLLS will continue to advocate for enhanced support to the LLDCs especially during these challenging times. We are in this together and it is indeed only together that we can lay the foundations for the future people want.

I thank you.

Front Page Article:

2019 Annual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:22:00 +0000

Wednesday, 25 September 2019 - 3:00pm to 6:00pm

BACKGROUND

The Ministerial Meeting preceeded the comprehensive high-level Midterm Review of the Vienna Programme of Action held on 5 and 6 December 2019, thus it provided an opportunity for LLDCs, transit countries and their development partners to exchange views on how the implementation of the VPoA can be accelerated. Although there has been some positive progress since 2014, many LLDCs still lag in various indicators. The meeting reviewed the progress made so far and how lessons from the first five years of implementation of the VPoA can be applied to the remaining five years.

The meeting was also held during the 74th session of the �山��General Assembly and alongside the high-level General Debate including the Climate Summit, �山��High-level Political Forum, and Financing for Development. The meeting therefore provided collective views on issues discussed during the high-level General Debate.

MEETING DOCUMENTS

Background Materials

Opening

H.E. Mr. Antonio Rivas Palacios

General Debate

Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu

Statements by Ministers and Representatives of LLDCs, development partners, international and regional organizations:

tags:

Landlocked Developing Countries

Midterm Review of the Vienna Programme of Action

Vienna Programme of Action

Annual Ministerial Meeting

Categories:

Events

LLDCs

Opening Remarks at the Virtual Webinar: Breaking Geographical Barriers - Leveraging the Role of Multilateralism to Achieve VPoA and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in LLDCs

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:40:00 +0000

Opening Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

28 July 2020
New York, USA

Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Head of Organizations,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

We enter the last decade of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We enter the last five years of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing countries.

Above all we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation.

The world goes through a pandemic affecting the lives and livelihoods of billions of people.

No country or individual is spared from the global impacts of COVID-19.

It is its impact which greatly differs across countries and within countries.

The LLDCs are amongst the hardest hit due to their vulnerabilities.

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies,

The �山��General Assembly held the midterm review of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs in December 2019.

The midterm review revealed that while LLDCs continue to make efforts to address their development challenges, they are far behind in achieving the SDGs and the objectives of the Vienna Programme of Action.

The midterm review revealed that one third of the population of LLDCs continues to live in extreme poverty. The prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity continues to persist.

The average human development index lags behind the world average.

Economic growth has declined, inequalities have risen since the adoption of the Vienna Programme of Action.

The share of merchandise exports declined to less than 1 percent.

Still, there was dynamic and we saw the glass as half full.

Then came COVID 19 and now the risk for a glass becoming half empty.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities, deepened existing vulnerabilities. LLDCs rely on transit countries and many transit countries closed their borders in their fight to contain the spread of COVID-19.

LLDC exports are commodity based and the global demand for commodities declined drastically.

The very geography of LLDCs makes them reliant on other countries.

They require greater cooperation at sub-regional, regional and global level for their development.

International solidarity and cooperation are key for these countries’ peace and security and their inclusive and sustainable development.

An equitable multilateral trading system truly is the lifeblood for the LLDCs sustainable future through integration into the global economy.

Just as solidarity expressed through the multi- lateral system helped rebuild the world after the World War 2, the Multi- lateral system has over decades now delivered major economic and social progress including for the LLDCs.

Openness, cooperation and partnership between countries are critical to this success.

Today’s global economy is more interconnected than ever, connected at vastly greater speeds than ever and we are faced with more complex than ever multiple global challenges.

Inequality, climate change and pandemics know no borders.

A strong and well-functioning multilateral system that can deliver for people is more than ever needed.

At a time where more rather than less international cooperation is needed, multilateralism has come under great stress.

Protection is on the rise. This makes us all vulnerable and even more so those already in highly vulnerable life situations.

Of course, the whole of human history has been one of change and it is only befitting that we ask the question what kind of multi- lateralism today’s and tomorrow’s challenges need. In that it is vital that we listen to, that we hear the voices of the most vulnerable.

This webinar gives us the opportunity to exchange, to listen to each other, to hear each other.

The findings of our webinar will also feed into to the upcoming Annual Ministerial Meeting of LLDCs to be held in the margins of the High-level week of the �山��General Assembly.

So, let us not just overcome geographical barriers but also all those other barriers too often preventing us from listening to each other.

I look forward to our exchanges.

Thank you.

Front Page Article:

Breaking Geographical Barriers: Leveraging the Role of Multilateralism to Achieve VPoA and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in LLDCs

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 16:43:00 +0000

Tuesday, 28 July 2020 - 8:30am to 10:00am

The webinar will provide an opportunity to contribute to the global conversation on “creating the future we want by 2045” and to leverage multilateralism in accelerating the VPoA and SDGs in LLDCs.

BACKGROUND

This year, the United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, �山��Secretary-General António Guterres announced that the �山��is hosting the world’s largest global conversation on creating the future we want by 2045, when the �山��celebrates its centennial. The Theme for the year is “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism”. The �山��had invited all the stakeholders to share their thoughts on the current state of the world and is asking us all how we can work together to improve our world so that everyone, everywhere, can live their best lives. The Landlocked Developing countries (LLDCs) voice in this global conversation is important to ensure that they are not left behind, including in the implementation of the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030 and during the period beyond 2030.

Lack of territorial access to the sea, isolation and remoteness from world markets and high transport and transit costs impose constraints on the overall socio-economic development and trade competitiveness of the 32 LLDCs. The international community adopted in 2014 the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA) for LLDCs for the Decade 2014-2024 to address these challenges. The VPoA, which is also an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Development, offers a holistic approach to improving the integration of LLDCs into the global economy through the following six priority areas: Fundamental Transit Policy Issues; Infrastructure Development and Maintenance; International Trade and Trade Facilitation; Regional Integration and Cooperation, Structural Economic Transformation, and Means of Implementation. The full and effective implementation of the VPoA is critical for LLDCs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Whilst some progress has been made to implement the VPoA, there are challenges that need to be addressed to accelerate the implementation of the VPoA in order to meaningfully improve the welfare of the lives of over 500 million people living in the LLDCs. The COVID-19 pandemic could also reverse progress so far achieved by LLDCs in the implementation of the VPoA and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The pandemic has worsened existing vulnerabilities as LLDCs face a decline in investment, trade, remittances, growing debt burdens, and severely reduced fiscal space. Enhanced international cooperation is fundamental in dealing with the pandemic and addressing its devastating aftermath.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a platform for LLDCs and relevant stakeholders to engage and contribute to the global conversation on “creating the future we want by 2045”.
To identify megatrends and major challenges before humanity in the coming decades,
To discuss concrete and effective ways to leverage multilateralism to accelerating the achievement of the VPoA goals and the SDGs in LLDCs.
To highlight how multilateralism can be re-invigorated to better address global, regional and national challenges faced by the most vulnerable and amplify their voices and underline the role and contribution of the United Nations in this regard.

FORMAT

The webinar will feature:

Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States;
H.E. Mr. Kairat Umarov, PR of Kazakhstan and Chair of Group of LLDCs;
Mr Fabrizio Hochschild-Drummond, Special Adviser to the Secretary General on the Commemoration of the United Nations 75th Anniversary;
Honorable Dr. Unity Dow, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Botswana (TBC);
H.E. Mr. Antonio Rivas Palacios, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay (TBC);
Mr. Yonov Frederick Agah, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization;
Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director, UNITAR and
Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact(TBC)

EXPECTED OUTCOME

An official summary will be issued as an outcome of this meeting.

ORGANISERS

Co-organized by: Chair of the Group of the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Office of the High Representative of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Islands Developing States (OHRLLS)

TARGET AUDIENCE

Member States; relevant �山��system entities, relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations; academia, and private sector.

REGISTER

https://bit.ly/3eTa9ZG

DOCUMENTS

Upcoming

Photo: Tondikorey, a small village located directly on the shores of the river Niger, Niger. OCHA/Ivo Brandau

tags:

Landlocked Developing Countries

Vienna Programme of Action

Categories:

Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - Vienna Programme of Action

Bridging half trillion-dollar funding gap is key to connectivity for Landlocked Developing Countries

usgaddressesconf.jpg

Statement on the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

21 December 2020 New York, USA

Enhancing the role of the private sector in implementing the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES

PARTICIPATION

FORMAT

ORGANISERS

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

DOCUMENTS

Briefing on the Secretary-General's Report on Development Progress in Landlocked and Least Developing Countries

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 October 2020 New York, USA

Secretary-General's Reports on Development Progress in Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries

Istanbul Programme of Action

Vienna Programme of Action

Landlocked Ministers at General Assembly Call for Enhanced Support to Respond to COVID-19

zimbabwe_kb_mpofu_ilo.jpg

Statement on the Progress on Implementing the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs and Impact of COVID-19

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

23 September 2020 New York, USA

2019 Annual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries

BACKGROUND

MEETING DOCUMENTS

Opening Remarks at the Virtual Webinar: Breaking Geographical Barriers - Leveraging the Role of Multilateralism to Achieve VPoA and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in LLDCs

Opening Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

28 July 2020 New York, USA

Breaking Geographical Barriers: Leveraging the Role of Multilateralism to Achieve VPoA and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in LLDCs

BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES

FORMAT

EXPECTED OUTCOME

ORGANISERS

TARGET AUDIENCE

REGISTER

DOCUMENTS

21 December 2020
New York, USA

8 October 2020
New York, USA

23 September 2020
New York, USA

28 July 2020
New York, USA