Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries: Human Rights related Challenges and Opportunities - Human Rights Council 51 Side Event

15 September 2022, 14:00 – 15:00, Room XXV, in a hybrid format, Palais des Nations, Geneva

This side event aims to highlight the importance of mainstreaming human rights and realization of the right to development in the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries, adopted on 17 March 2022, during the first part of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The side event will discuss how the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action can contribute to the enjoyment of human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development, in the least developed countries, leaving no one behind, and in this regard identify recommended actions which could be presented during the Doha Conference.
The side event will also provide an opportunity to promote high-level attendance in the second part of the UN LDC Conference, scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar on 5-9 March 2023, which will identify actions and partnerships at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government, to deliver on this important agenda.

Online participation here: https://ungeneva-vc.webex.com/ungeneva-vc/j.php?MTID=m40b624f2380b9ad52e5a7fd7fee4bfe4

Background
On 17 March 2022, the first part of the Fifth United Nations Conference for Least Developed Countries (UN LDC 5) met in New York and adopted the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) for Least Developed Countries. The second part will be in Doha from 5-9 March 2023, where world leaders will gather with civil society, the private sector, young people and more to build new plans and partnerships for the delivery of the DPoA over the following decade.

Objectives
This side event aims to highlight the importance of mainstreaming human rights and the realization of the right to development in the implementation of the DPoA for Least Developed Countries.
The side event will also discuss how the implementation of the DPoA can contribute to the enjoyment of human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development, in the least developed countries, leaving no one behind, and in this regard identify recommended actions which could be presented during the Doha Conference in 2023.

Expected outcomes: 
• States and other stakeholders will learn from shared experiences in implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action and in planning for the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action in a manner that contributes to the enjoyment of human rights.
• Participants will hear about key challenges for the enjoyment of human rights in the Least Developed Countries in relation to their development needs.
• Participants will be informed about opportunities to attend the Doha Conference for Least Developed Countries in March 2023, including the possibility of holding side events.
• A set of recommended actions will be identified that will be presented during the Doha Conference and to human rights mechanisms.

Agenda

Moderator
Mr. Ayuush Bat-Erdene, Chief, Right to Development Section, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Panelists
Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director, Office of the High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS (pre-recorded statement)
H.E. Ms. Hend Abdalrahman Al-Muftah, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
Mr. Pacharo Kayira, Chargé d'affaires a.i., Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
Mr. Rolf Traeger, Chief of UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Section
Mr. Mihir Kanade, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development
Ms. Maria Mercedes Rossi, Representative of Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII to the United Nations in Geneva

Documents:

Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries GA resolution A/RES/76/258
2020 joint report of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Right to Development, focusing on Least Developed Countries A/HRC/45/21