Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
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High-level opening of the Civil Society Forum at the LDC5 Conference in Doha, Qatar
4 March 2023
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by extending my sincere thanks to the Government and people of Qatar for hosting the 5th Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
This historic event offers the world the opportunity to galvanise momentum to act in solidarity with those most vulnerable.
Indeed, strengthening the bonds between Civil Society Organisations and the United Nations is imperative.
It is absolutely imperative.
Between people’s realities on the ground, and the transformation of those realities through bold decision-making.
When I use, and I use every chance to point out that governments do not have a monopoly on wisdom.
We need your wisdom. We need your knowledge. We need your experience.
As we meet these days, LDCs are at a crossroads on their paths toward sustainable development. Just like any other country.
From a tortuous post-COVID recovery to the war in Ukraine and its global consequences, through an inflation now in double digits across the world – epic challenges, compounded by the climate crisis, warn us that the worst is still to come.
But as expressed by former Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, “saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty and advancing economic growth – these are one and the same fight.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Between 2000 and 2019, the economies of LDCs grew at an average rate of 4.7% per year, a rate much higher than the global average.
This growth played an important role in improving access to health and services and reducing poverty overall.
Sadly, the pandemic has reversed decades of development, and some LDCs are now experiencing the first economic contractions in three decades.
Worse, between 2011 and 2019, the combined debt of LDCs tripled from $10 billion to $33 billion USD per year.
A debt projected to rise by another $50 billion due to the unaccounted effects of the pandemic.
On a human scale, that means 32 million more people pushed into poverty across the world’s LDCs, with women and children bearing the heaviest brunt of misery.
Earlier this week I was in Geneva for the opening of the session of the Human Rights Council, and I was reminded, to quote the words of the High Commissioner, that:
“No social phenomenon is quite as comprehensive in its assault on human rights as poverty.”
Today, a financial chasm separates LDCs from the ambition of the sustainable development goals.
As we speak, LDCs receive 80 billion USD in development assistance.
A fraction of the sum they need – which totals up to 350 billion USD.
Redressing this gap is possible.
But we have to make a choice to invest in our sustainable development goals.
A conscious choice. The smart choice. The ethical choice.
This is not philanthropy.
This is about doing the right thing.
This is about creating a world where every single person can live his or her life to its fullest potential.
To achieve this, we must work together. Across borders. Across sectors.
Having in mind the old Arabic proverb:
الصديق وقت الضيق
Which translates in English as “friend in need, friend indeed”
Yes, it is the time of need – and the time when we must change our course.
The Doha Programme of Action provides a comprehensive framework designed to address the challenges faced by LDCs and support these nations in achieving sustainable development.
That is a blueprint for turning our potential into prosperity.
A game plan for harnessing the wealth that we do have.
Dear colleagues, dear friends,
Let us create a better future, for all to live free from want.
Let us commit ourselves to working hand in hand, to supporting the transformation of LDCs, and to achieving sustainable development.
Because, as Nelson Mandela once said, “overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental right, the right to dignity and a decent life”.
Thank you very much.
