Rolling out the Doha Programme of Action: Roundtable Discussion between Resident Coordinators and Member States

The UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) and the UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), will hold an informal virtual roundtable discussion between Resident Coordinators from four Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Member States,  ahead of the 2022 Operational Activities Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The Resident Coordinators will discuss how their network (pdf) is engaging the UN system at country and regional levels to support tailored responses to LDCs, which are particularly affected by global crises including the COVID-19 pandemic.

These crises are exacerbating already existing economic and social vulnerabilities – and the meeting will also address the next steps needed in support of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs for the Decade 2022-2031.

The Doha Programme of Action

The Doha Programme of Action represents a new generation of renewed and strengthened commitments between the LDCs and their development partners, including private sector, civil society, and governments at all levels. The Programme of Action, adopted on 17 March 2022 and endorsed by the General Assembly on 1 April 2022, includes six key focus areas:

1. Investing in people: eradicating poverty and building capacity to leave no one behind;
2. Leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation to fight against multidimensional vulnerabilities and to achieve the SDGs;
3. Supporting structural transformation as a driver of prosperity;
4. Enhancing international trade of least developed countries and regional integration;
5. Addressing climate change, environmental degradation, recovering from COVID-19 pandemic, and building resilience against future shocks for risk-informed sustainable development;
6. Mobilizing international solidarity, reinvigorated partnerships and innovative tools and instruments: a march towards graduation from LDC status.

Together these six focus areas will play a significant role in accelerating economic progress and building momentum for the Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, and leaving no one behind. 

LDC5

The second part of the Fifth UN Conference, taking place from 5 to 9 March 2023, in Doha, Qatar, offers an important opportunity to build momentum in implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, showcase early progress made in all of its six focus areas, and mobilize resources for accelerated SDG implementation by LDCs.  

Member States have called upon the UN development system to actively support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams have been requested to assist with the mainstreaming of the Doha Programme into national development planning, to raise awareness and mobilize participation, and to support follow-up and monitoring.

Resident Coordinators will share experiences from country level on how they are ensuring tailored alignment of planning, programming, and policy & financing support to the national priorities and needs of the LDCs they serve, including implementation of both the previous Istanbul Programme of Action, and the new Doha Programme.

Discussion will centre on the following guiding questions:

• In what ways has the reinvigorated RC System strengthened the ability of the UN development system to respond to the specific needs of Least Developed Countries since its inception in 2019, including through new generation of analysis and programming tools (CCA and Cooperation Framework) aligned to national priorities and needs and accessing relevant integrated and multidimensional policy support?
• How are RCs helping deepen partnerships with their host government and other stakeholders/ partners at country level?
• How will the Doha Programme of Action be taken up by the UN Country Teams in their work, and support to government in implementing the 2030 Agenda?
• How best can Member States – both host governments and development partners – best support the RC and UN Country Team in their efforts to implement the Doha Programme and maximise achievement of the SDGs for Least Developed Countries?

For more information, please contact:

Rita Ruohonen, Economic Affairs Officer, OHRLLS