Sustainable Development Goals

The purpose of this occasional policy papers series, published by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), is to analyse policy issues relating to the development of the least developed countries (LDCs), stimulate discussions and promote international cooperation. In keeping with this objective, the authors are encouraged to express their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its member States.

One year after the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA), progress towards its implementation has continued but there is the need to further accelerate actions in order to meet the agreed targets. Thus, while Chapter 1 focuses on the progress and challenges in implementing the IPoA, Chapter 2 explores financing options for LDCs in order to accelerate progress.

This document sets out a comprehensive set of recommendations that have been, or could be, made by the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Group to the UN Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (OWG-SDGs), as well as a detailed justification for recommendations of greatest relevance and importance to LDCs.

The comprehensive high-level mid-term review of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), held from 27-29 May, 2016 in Antalya, Turkey, is an opportunity to review the progress achieved by the LDCs’ in meeting their development priorities. It is also a moment to identify new drivers for progress and to align all efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Achieving the 2030 Agenda will be a challenge for all countries. It is however particularly salient for the 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) where levels of deprivation are acute, infrastructure is inadequate, economies are vulnerable and capital is in short supply.Yet these are the countries we need to reach first if we are to meet the aspiration to “leave no one behind”.