Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
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Opening of 5th Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar
5 March 2023
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank the Government and people of Qatar for their generosity to host this fifth Conference on LDCs in Doha.
I am grateful to have been invited to speak at the opening of this momentous event.
Close to two thousand years ago, the Greek historian Plutarch said: “An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all communities.”
It is true of our global community, too.
This conference comes at a time when radical action to transform the economies of LDCs has never been more urgent.
As we meet today, Least Developed Countries have arrived at a crossroads on the path towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and its targets.
It is deeply concerning to see that, according to the latest data, and in spite of all the vast efforts, one in three people in LDCs are living in extreme poverty.
Adding fuel to the fire: the lingering long-term effects of the pandemic, a tsunami of debt, exposure to disasters, and deepening inequalities.
In many LDCs, women, girls, minorities and other groups at risk still face large barriers in education, employment, and healthcare.
And a shocking figure: even before the arrival of the pandemic, more than half of LDCs were in active conflict situations.
Conflicts that will only be exacerbated by the disastrous impacts of climate change.
And by something equally ominous: that, by the end of this decade, the demand for water is expected to exceed supply by 40 per cent.
Evidently, much remains to be done by 2030.
However, Excellencies,
I am confident that we all want to deliver on our promise of achieving the 2030 Agenda and transforming the economies of LDCs.
So, let us take this time to decide on additional international support measures to advance the progress of LDCs.
This will allow us to agree on renewed genuine partnerships between LDCs and development partners.
Partnerships with a view to overcoming structural challenges, eradicating poverty, achieving development goals, and enabling more and more states to graduate from the LDC category.
For that to happen, it is imperative that countries feel real ownership of the Doha Programme of Action.
A programme of investing in people, of strengthening resilience and building international solidarity.
Development partners should ensure that promises to assist LDCs to overcome their vulnerabilities are fulfilled.
It was forty-two years ago that the New Programme of Action was adopted by the international community in Paris – with the goal of radically changing the socio-economic situation of LDCs.
Four decades and many lost opportunities later, we must hold ourselves finally accountable to the pledges we made.
Excellencies,
As we renew the global commitment to supporting the poorest and most exposed of Member States, we have a profound choice to make.
Will we deliver for our constituents? Will we adapt our action to their needs and change the potential most of us are having into joint prosperity?
Will we finally understand that, as the saying goes, we as a global community are only as strong as our weakest link?
If we bolster true partnerships, and harness technology, and innovation – our goals can still be within reach by 2030.
But, to achieve that, all our decisions should be impactful and all our actions transformative.
Starting from what the international finance institutions should focus on, to how we measure wealth and sustainable development.
From reliance on science in decision-making to mobilize solidarity at all levels.
From improving the standards of governance to a new understanding of global common goods.
This progress will not be easy, but I sincerely hope and see no better option for humanity.
My team and I stand ready to assist the LDCs on their historic path.
I wish you all the best in your deliberations.
I thank you.
