Ambassadorial Retreat of LDCs and friends of LDCs
Tarrytown Estate, 21 and 22 October 2021
The draft outcome document of the LDC5 Conference (REV.1) features a number of concrete deliverables for LDCs, with the aim to ensure dedicated support to LDCs in order to overcome their specific challenges and obstacles to development, especially through enhancing resilience to various types of shocks. Such deliverables have been suggested in the areas of early warning systems, agriculture, education, social protection, and graduation support among others. A specific focus has been put on enhancing financial resources available to LDCs, including through private investment, blended finance and debt relief.
OHRLLS is organizing a retreat of Ambassadors of LDCs and Friends of LDCs, with a view to explore the potential deliverables for the LDC5 Conference in greater depth.
Representatives of relevant UN agencies and experts will be invited to attend the retreat and present to member states the proposals for the deliverables that are currently in the draft outcome document and under discussion. These include an online university, an International Investment Support Center, resilience building mechanism, enhanced aid for trade and blended finance going to LDCs, and enhanced support for graduating countries including through a Sustainable Graduation Support Facility. Presenters will also be available for discussions relating to their feasibility, and potential implementation.
The event will include a working dinner on Thursday, 21 October, and a full day of working sessions on Friday, 22 October, including presentations on specific topics followed by an interactive dialogue among all meeting participants. For further information, please contact OHRLLS.
Documentation
Background documents
OECD-UNCDF (2020): Blended Finance in the Least Developed Countries
OECD (2021): Aid for trade. Key Facts
Presentations and Statements
Thursday October 21st
8:30-21:00 Welcome Session
Speakers:
- Mr E. Courtenay Rattray, High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS and Secretary-General of LDC5 [Statement]
- H.E. Mr Perks Ligoya, Permanent Representative of Malawi, Chair of the LDCs Group [Statement]
- H.E. Ms Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, Co-Chair of LDC5 PrepCom [Statement]
- H.E. Mr Robert Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada, Co-Chair of LDC5 PrepCom
- Ms Usha Rao-Monari, UNDP Associate Administrator [Statement]
Friday October 22nd
9:00 – 9:50 SESSION 1: Education for STEM Graduates
Moderator: Mr Abdul Alim, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, OHRLLS
Presentations:
- Mr Thomas Stelzer, Dean and Executive Secretary, International Anti-Corruption Academy
- Professor Asha Kanwar, President of Commonwealth of Learning
Interactive Discussion
9:50 – 11:50 SESSION 2: Finance Support
Moderator: Mr E. Courtenay Rattray, High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS and SecretaryGeneral of LDC5
2.A: Supporting Access to Different Sources of Finance
Presentations:
- Mr Oliver Schwank, Senior Economist, Office for Financing for Sustainable Development, DESA [Presentation]
- Mr Thomas Beloe, SDG Finance Advisor, Finance Sector Hub, UNDP
2.B: Blended Finance for LDCs
Presentations:
- Ms Preeti Sinha, Executive Secretary, UNCDF [Presentation]
- Ms Laura Gabriela Jaitman, Special Representative to the UN, World Bank [Presentation]
12:10-13:30 Session 3: Building Resilience and Sustainable Progress
Moderator: Ms. Margherita Musollino, Senior Programme Management Officer, OHRLLS
3.A: Resilience Building Mechanism
Presentations:
- Mr Lesley Ndlovu, CEO, African Risk Capacity Insurance Limited [Presentation]
- Ms Diane Quarless, Chief, Caribbean Office, ECLAC [Presentation]
3.B: Sustainable Graduation Support Facility
Presentations:
- Ms Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director, OHRLLS
- Mr Roland Mollerus, Secretary of the CDP, DESA [Presentation]
13:30-14:30 Lunch
Keynote statement:
- Ms Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
14:30 – 16:45 SESSION 4: Trade and Investment
Moderator: Ms Susanna Wolf, Head of LDC Unit, OHRLLS
4.A: International Investment Support Center/Investment promotion mechanism
Presentations:
- Mr James Zhan, Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise, UNCTAD [Presentation]
- Mr Patrizio Civili, Special Adivsor to the Director General, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Ms Alessandra Mistura, Manager of ISP/LDCs, IDLO [Presentation]
4.B: Enhanced Aid for Trade
Presentation:
- Mr Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director, EIF [Presentation]
- Mr Olivier Cattaneo, Head, Policy Analysis and Strategy Unit, OECD [Presentation]
4.C: Investment in Sustainable Energy
Presentation:
- Dr. Gabriela Elizondo Azuela, Head of Energy Sector Management Assistant Programme (ESMAP), the World Bank [Presentation]
Discussant:
- Mr Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Director and Executive Coordinator, Nature, Climate and Energy, UNDP
16:30-17:00 Closing Session
Moderator: Ms Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director, OHRLLS
Speakers:
- Mr E. Courtenay Rattray, High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS and Secretary-General of LDC5 [Statement]
- H.E. Ms Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, LDC5 Host Country
- H.E. Ms Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, Co-Chair of LDC5 PrepCom
- H.E. Mr Robert Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada, Co-Chair of LDC5 PrepCom
- H.E. Mr Perks Ligoya, Permanent Representative of Malawi, Chair of the LDCs Group