Doha: The State of Qatar 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.
According to Qatar News Agency, this commitment was articulated in Qatar's statement delivered by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad at the High-Level Meeting for the Least Developed Countries. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing For Development (FFD4) and was attended by HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Nepal and Chair of the LDC Group K.P. Sharma, and HE UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States Rabab Fatima.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation stated that Qatar is proud to co-lead the Group of Friends of the LDCs alongside the Republic of Turkiye and the Kingdom of Belgium. Her Excellency highlighted that the group works to enhance international and regional efforts aimed at supporting the LDCs in implementing the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, alongside addressing the development challenges they face through the Doha Programme of Action, in coordination with the LDC Group, development partners, and the United Nations.
Her Excellency also noted that the international community has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs, as indicated in the Seville Commitment outcome document from the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. The document urged member states, the United Nations, relevant international organizations, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and development partners to continue supporting LDCs in achieving sustainable development.
This includes efforts towards integrating LDCs into the global trading system, enhancing their infrastructure, particularly 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).
Her Excellency emphasized Qatar's 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 specialized agencies. Qatar pledged, during the Fifth United Nations Conference on the LDCs hosted in Doha in March 2023, to provide a financial contribution totaling USD 60 million to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, its intended outcomes, and capacity-building for resilience.
Her Excellency further explained that preparations are underway to hold a high-level meeting in Doha at the end of this year focused on promoting sustainable graduation for countries exiting the LDC category. This meeting will benefit from partner support and best practices. Additionally, 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.