2 days ago
Qatar affirms unwavering commitment to support LDCs
QNA
Seville
Qatar has affirmed that it will spare no effort in fulfilling its duty to support the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through enhanced international cooperation, based on its policy of partnership and collaboration.
This came in Qatar's statement delivered by Minister of State for International Cooperation HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad at the High-Level Meeting for the Least Developed Countries, held on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing For Development (FFD4), attended by Prime Minister of Nepal and Chair of the LDC Group K.P. Sharma, and UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States Rabab Fatima.
The Minister of State for International Cooperation said that Qatar is proud to co-lead the Group of Friends of the LDCs alongside Turkiye and Belgium.
She noted that the group works to advance international and regional efforts aimed at supporting the LDCs in implementing the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, and in addressing the development challenges they face through the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, in coordination with the LDC Group, development partners, and the United Nations.
She pointed out that the international community has reaffirmed its commitment to continue implementing the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs, as stated in the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, known as the Seville Commitment.
The document called on member states, the United Nations and relevant international organisations, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and development partners to continue supporting LDCs in achieving sustainable development.
This includes implementing the Doha Programme of Action, integrating LDCs into the global trading system, enhancing their infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure, removing barriers to market access, supporting the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism and the UN Technology Bank for LDCs, facilitating access to finance, and fulfilling commitments related to Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Al Misnad added that Qatar is proud of its leading role in implementing the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs, in partnership with the UN Office of the High Representative for the LDCs and other specialised agencies, stressing that Qatar pledged, during the Fifth United Nations Conference on the LDCs hosted in Doha in March 2023, under the guidance of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to provide a financial contribution totaling $60 million to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, its intended outcomes, and capacity-building for resilience.
She explained that preparations are currently underway to hold a high-level meeting in Doha at the end of this year on promoting sustainable graduation for countries exiting the LDC category, benefiting from partner support and best practices, adding that Qatar will host the high-level midterm review meeting of the Doha Programme of Action to assess progress, address challenges, and work toward full implementation of the programme through 2031.
