DEE-MAXWELL SAAH KEMAYAH, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of Liberia, recalled that since the inception of the Doha Programme of Action, the development aspirations of least developed countries continue to be stifled amidst multifaceted challenges. The pathway to prosperity and development must begin with scaled-up ODA, as well as access to development finance to boost the attainment of the six key focus areas. On the national level, Liberia has continued to make strides towards national development and prosperity, launching a five-year flagship national development plan, known as the “Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development”. His Government continues to commit resources in critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture and infrastructure; however, the need for development partners to coordinate resources in these critical areas cannot be overemphasized.Turning to finance, he stressed that least developed countries continue to need enormous support to reduce poverty, create jobs, combat hunger and ensure quality education. He noted the nature of the global financial system weighs down least developed countries with an unsustainable external debt burden, agreeing with Secretary-General António Guterres’s charge that it represents an unfair debt architecture — as those States are charged more money to borrow on markets, and downgraded when they even think of restructuring their debt or applying for relief. He called for adoption of a global mechanism to monitor illicit financial flows and a United Nations international convention on tax matters to eliminate of profit-shifting and base erosion, tax evasion, capital gains tax and other abuses. He expressed hope that at end of the Conference, the Programme of Action will lead to increased exports for those countries through improved access to foreign markets in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade facilitation agreement. His Government is canvasing for duty-free and quota-free market access to ensure the least developed countries’ integration in regional and global value chains. Similarly, modalities are needed for transfer of technology transfer and access to global ecommerce platforms. Least developed countries suffer disproportionately from climate change, he stressed, with deaths due to crises predicted to continue rising. KAUSEA NATANO, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, noted the geographical isolation of his country from the international market creates a barrier for trading and service delivery. Emerging technology and the rapid growth of information and communications technology (ICT) have brought about efficiency and new opportunities, while increased Internet coverage for the outer islands will improve service quality and reduce service delivery and business costs. Addressing climate change, Tuvalu is developing a long-term adaptation plan envisaged to: accommodate its population safely beyond worse-case sea-level rise beyond 2100; offer solutions to pre-existing development and resource-constraint issues; and offer hope for the future of the island State. In addition, together with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Tuvalu established the Commission of Small Island States that focuses on promoting international law principles that hold States responsible for climate change impacts affecting the marine environment. The Rising Nations Initiative is another effort aimed at pressing forward efforts towards protecting the statehood of Pacific atoll countries, preserving their sovereignty and safeguarding the rights and heritage of affected populations. ÉDOUARD NGIRENTE, Prime Minister of Rwanda, cited the underutilized or misused potential of least developed countries. Since 1971, more countries have regressed into that category than have graduated out of it. Lessons to be learned on the factors of regression include weak governance, conflict, shocks of various types, including health and climate sectors, unfair international trade practices and biased global financial architecture. However, there are also cases of countries that have graduated recently, as well as projections for the next couple of years. The least developed countries cannot afford to be in that category forever, and no Government or populations should accept continued suffering due to poverty, deprivation or vulnerabilities — not even achieving the minimum standard of living that a human being would hope for. RODRIGO MALMIERCA DÍAZ, Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said it is totally unacceptable that least developed States, which are among the most vulnerable, continue to have the most limited productive capacity, insufficient fiscal space and face a widening macroeconomic imbalance and rising levels of external debt. Half of those States underwent continuous food emergencies for at least 13 consecutive years over a period of 42 years from 1981 to 2022. It is inconceivable that, although they account for less than 4 per cent of greenhouse-gas emissions, they are at the forefront of the climate crisis: over the last 50 years, 69 per cent of deaths from climate-related disasters occurred in least developed countries. “We are facing an inequality crisis” he stressed, in which 46 countries comprising 14 per cent of the world’s population, risk being left behind, while, in the last 10 years, the richest 1 per cent of humanity has cornered more than half of all new global wealth. “This is simply unacceptable,” he stressed. He went on to underscore that, for countries in the Pacific region, climate change is the greatest security threat today, recalling that Vanuatu was recently hit by two severe tropical cyclones within three days. The Doha Programme of Action prioritizes climate change and seeks to build resilience against future environmental shocks, but funding gaps must be closed. “Time is not on our side,” he observed, urging that financial resources be scaled-up to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation. Additionally, climate finance must be increased, particularly for least developed and other vulnerable countries, as this will provide such States space to invest in health, education and social-protection schemes. Adding that several Pacific small island developing States that are also least developed countries are close to or have met the criteria for graduation, he underlined the need to ensure that post-graduation development maintains momentum. Highlighting the specific nature of his country’s needs, he turned towards the United Nations platform to redesign the formula of assistance that is accurate and effective. He described climate change as “the single biggest threat to sustainable development”, noting that least developed countries bear the disproportionate brunt of its impact. The world is witnessing the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, flash floods and other extreme weather events, which are increasingly threatening Bhutan’s vital infrastructure and livelihoods. Every second day, there are news reports of floods and landslides in the region, he warned, stressing that Bhutan does not have the means to adapt to such disasters. He underscored that the focus of least developed countries should be in capitalizing on the potential of science, technology and innovation. EDUARDO ENRIQUE REINA, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras, noted that climate change and the pandemic have prevented least developed countries from developing. He recalled the coup d’état that occurred in Honduras in 2009 and hampered his country’s ability to advance and emerge from this unfortunate list of least developed States. Honduras’ economy shrank to such an extent that its public dept grew from billion in 2009 to billion in 2021. “This is impossible to repay,” he declared, noting that no country has the ability to develop with 75 per cent poverty, 40 per cent extreme poverty and regrettable social indicators. The economic system is unjust and limits his country’s ability to develop, he stressed, describing underprivileged States as victims, permanently seeking a way out of this unjust system. Emphasizing that the current system of myriad of injustices is unsustainable, he noted that it is impossible for Honduras to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals under conditions of poverty that have been imposed upon it. His country is making countless efforts in logistics, development and preventing exploitation of its natural resources, he underscored. Honduras is not responsible for the pollution which has resulted in climate change, he said, adding that most underprivileged countries are victims of complex systems that is no longer serving humanity. Statements TANZILA NARBAEVA, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, noting that the biggest challenge that least developed countries face is poverty, reported that her Government has set a goal of reducing poverty by half in the coming years. To do so, it is providing targeted assistance to families in need, those with disabilities, women and youth through specific social-protection measures, along with supporting agriculture and enhancing training for unemployed persons. As a result, 1 million people were able to emerge from poverty in 2022. She went on to stress the need to increase investment in manufacturing in least developed countries and to provide practical assistance in bringing goods produced in such countries to external markets. She also spotlighted the complex socioeconomic situation in neighbouring Afghanistan, stating that, the more isolated that country becomes, the worse its crisis will be. Achieving sustainable development will require reinvigorated global partnerships, based on effective means of implementation in several priority areas, he said, emphasizing that vaccine inequity must be addressed through adequate access to quality vaccines for least developed countries. Moreover, the international community must address the increasingly unsustainable debt burden of many least developed countries. It is a matter of great concern that six of these countries are classified as in debt distress, while 17 are at high risk of debt distress. He further stressed the need to reform the unequal international financial architecture, designed to address these countries’ special needs and vulnerabilities. CHOGUEL KOKALLA MAÏGA, Prime Minister of Mali, expressed hope that the Doha Programme of Action will not face a fate similar to those of the previous four conferences on least developed countries. Most such countries are stagnating for reasons including imbalance and inequity in the global economic system. Noting that there are 33 African countries — including his own — in this category, he underscored that this conference should not result in simply a “catalogue of good intentions”. Least developed countries do not need assistance that leaves them in continuous need; rather, they require robust partnerships, solidarity and justice in international trade and global economic governance. This will help improve human development, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create conditions conducive for shared well-being. He went on to stress that, if the international community truly wishes to address the vulnerabilities preventing countries from attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, “we must change the paradigm” of the struggle against climate change, and additionally, establish robust, adapted tools for post-pandemic recovery. Underlining the urgency of the fight against terrorism, he stressed that addressing this challenge should be at the core of collective action. For its part, Mali has undertaken significant efforts to eliminate terrorism, insecurity and illicit trafficking. These efforts are part of structural change, and the Government is also working to combat poverty, support economic growth and implement national development strategies. He added that Mali’s current priorities are restoring State authority across the country, improving the lives of its citizens and organizing transparent elections. MOHSEN MANSOURI, Vice-President for Executive Affairs of Iran, said equality among all nations regardless of their development level can lead to a better future for all. As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the structural weaknesses of developing States during a global crisis, he urged developed countries to fulfil their historical, moral and political commitments without politicization, providing official development assistance (ODA) among other priorities. The United Nations system, World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) should increase their support to help least developed countries graduate from the category. He noted that Iran, due to its geographical position, can help landlocked least developed countries in creating transit corridors to help facilitate trade and access global markets. He cited decisive steps taken to help Afghanistan access global waters, noting Iran has hosted millions of Afghan citizens for the last four decades despite a lack of meaningful international community assistance. SALEUMXAY KOMMASITH, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, warned that least developed countries have been severely affected by the unprecedented impacts of the pandemic, as well as financial difficulties, food and energy crises and armed conflicts, which have further exacerbated their already existing structural vulnerabilities. Against this backdrop, the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action marks an important milestone for the international community to help least developed countries achieve rapid recovery from the pandemic, build resilience against future shocks, eradicate extreme poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed, however, that while the Government works towards recovery, Houthi militias are looting State resources to wage war on Yemeni citizens, pushing them into poverty by imposing protection levies in areas under Houthi control. Further, Houthi militias have targeted vital economic facilities and infrastructure with ballistic missiles and drones, along with halting the export of crude oil. The State depends on such oil to provide salaries to almost 1 million civil servants and fund services, such as electricity, water, health and education. The loss of such revenue, therefore, will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, poverty and food insecurity; slow trade; impede the import of basic goods; and contribute to currency depreciation and inflation. Against that backdrop, he called on the international community to support the Government in addressing the economic consequences and alleviating the suffering caused by this war. Only four countries have been able to graduate from the least developed countries category since 2011, she observed, noting that the African continent faces persistent inequality and a high degree of insecurity. Given this reality, eradicating poverty is the most pressing challenge for least developed countries today. She underscored that inequalities do not correct themselves — on the contrary, they are perpetuated over generations. Therefore, efforts to address extreme poverty and promote socioeconomic development and safeguard the interests of future generations should vigorously address the reduction of these inequalities. She called for further commitment of all parties to allocate more resources and fully leverage the potential of science and technology for sustainable development. Highlighting numerous challenges related to climate change facing least developed countries, she pointed to the establishment of the international investment support centre. The pandemic has reminded the international community of the inequality resulting from the lack of shared knowledge and the urgent need for strong international solidarity. She also drew attention to the growing security threat in Western Africa which undermines Togo´s development ambition. SIAOSI ‘OFAKIVAHAFOLAU SOVALENI, Prime Minister of Tonga, noting that “we are at a turning point on our planet”, urged the Member States that adopted the Doha Programme of Action to achieve the goals and targets endorsed therein. Asking those present to reflect on whether commitments have been delivered and whether more can be done to lift least developed countries out of poverty, he said that this is the moment for least developed States to take ownership and show leadership in moving the promise of sustainable, inclusive development and security from words to deeds. Further, he called on development partners and other relevant stakeholders to continue delivering on their commitments. MIAN MUHAMMAD SHEHBAZ SHARIF, Prime Minister of Pakistan, stressed that, despite progress in some areas, implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action remains widely insufficient. Over the past decade, only four countries were able to graduate from least developed country status. Least developed countries have been victims of the pandemic of inequality: in access to vaccines, technology, finance and opportunities, he said. And they continue to be disproportionally affected by the climate crisis, with cascading effects of different shocks. These multiple crises have taken a heavy toll on the least developed countries. Their gross domestic product (GDP) growth has plummeted; international trade has shrunk; poverty and food insecurity have risen; and inequality has been exacerbated. Developing countries like Pakistan have also experienced a severe setback to their developmental goals. Her newly elected Government has incorporated a proactive policy stance for graduation from the least developed countries category into the country’s long-term development plan as the primary premise for the effective response to propel the country into middle-income status, she said. Lesotho has huge potential for increasing productivity and enhancing economic growth through prioritized development of such sectors as natural resources, tourism, agriculture, technology, infrastructure and hydropower. Given the major task ahead to ensure that the necessary international support and partnerships are in place for countries to achieve the Doha Programme of Action goals and targets, she therefore urged donor countries to honour their ODA commitments. Recalling that the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated an already fragile situation by causing severe impacts on societies and economies, reversing years of hard-won progress, she called for support to keep least developed countries on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is equally important to note that debt burdens and increasing debt servicing costs are becoming more challenging, placing those States at a higher risk of debt distress — requiring urgent debt relief, restructuring and debt cancelation. RANIA EL MASHAAT, Minister for International Cooperation of Egypt, called on the international community to unite in facing economic, social and environmental challenges and to build on regional and international partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially for least developed countries. Noting that 71 per cent of such countries are in Africa, she said they face many development challenges relating to food security and malnutrition. To address these and other challenges, Egypt will enhance cooperation with African States through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) programme to increase financing for certain projects, including the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project and the Cairo-Cape Town Highway. In addition to regional efforts, she also detailed relevant national initiatives, including measures to eradicate poverty, promote rural development, invest in human resources, support green transformation and develop the health and education sectors. He noted that Rwanda has made more progress over the last 25 years than ever before, recording over 80 per cent growth, and more than tripling income per capita — although it is still low. The State has invested heavily in health, education and the well-being of its people, reducing maternal and childbirth mortality and increasing life expectancy at birth, and hopes to reach the middle-income living standard bracket towards the end of the decade. Therefore, adoption of the Doha Programme of Action is a giant step in the right direction, but not sufficient on its own. Citing potential return on investing in people, fair global trade and regional integration, and sustainable urbanization, he voiced for the possibility of graduating many more countries — if not all of them. HOJAMYRAT GELDIMYRADOV, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, highlighted challenges to economic development stemming from the pandemic and other risks which are affecting investment relations among countries. The pandemic and other political and economic events have affected all States and have had a negative impact on international links, including transportation. He emphasized that the transportation issue should be at the heart of the United Nations agenda as a separate area of activity. Turkmenistan initiated the first global conference of sustainable transportation and was at the source of key General Assembly resolutions on sustainable transportation, adopted in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2021. FAID MUJLI, Vice-President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, welcomed the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action as an important achievement and vision to address the issues faced by least developed countries, including the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Urging that priority be given to States facing conflict, he said that his country is “undergoing exceptional circumstances” as a result of the coup and wars waged by terrorist Houthi militias, trained and funded by the Iranian regime. While humanitarian suffering and economic deterioration have continued in Yemen since the Houthi coup in 2014, the Government has been working to promote resilience, early recovery and reconstruction in partnership with Saudi Arabia. Calling for due attention to be paid to impediments including unilateral coercive measures which infringe on international law and the Charter of the United Nations, he stressed that those measures deny nations their inherent human rights and prevent Governments from pursuing sustainable economic growth. Noting that least developed countries enjoy special capacities in human and natural resources, including use of local technologies and internal capacities which offer the path to progress, he offered to share Iran’s successful experience. In that domain, the international community must renew its commitment to multilateralism and depoliticization of technological issues. Rejecting the baseless and irresponsible statements by the representative of Yemen — an unfortunate attempt to divert and delay the attention of the Conference — he nonetheless wished that country prosperity and a lack of intervention by foreigners. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, President of Nigeria, stated that the possibility of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals remains bleak, especially for least developed countries — often faced with developmental challenges not always of their making, posing huge obstacles and requiring urgent and robust assistance. Nigeria believes the Doha Programme of Action presents a viable framework for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and urges developed countries, civil society actors, the private sector and business community and others to partner with those States to advance their capacity to reach the 2030 Agenda goals. He recalled that the pandemic taught the international community that “we must all work together”, including with budgetary provisions for vaccines for poor and rich alike, working pharmaceutical companies to produce test kits, vaccines and treatments. MAMADOU TANGARA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Gambia, detailed national successes in accessing energy, developing infrastructure and tourism and promoting science, technology and innovation. Further, following its emergence in 2016 from cycles of poor governance, the Gambia has strengthened democratic governance and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Despite these successes, however, the Gambia — like other least developed countries — still faces significant challenges including the pandemic, the impact of the war in Europe, limited access to external markets, inability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and high energy costs. He stated, therefore, that the Gambia’s main priority in implementing the Doha Programme of Action will be overcoming these issues to realize its potential for development and growth. To that end, he detailed the Government’s green-focused national development plan, the core pillar of which is private-sector development that leverages the Gambia’s comparative advantages — such as its proximity to African and European Union markets. LOTAY TSHERING, Prime Minister of Bhutan, noted that this year, his country is gearing up to graduate from the least developed country category, in which it was officially included 52 years ago. Guided by the overarching development philosophy of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan pursued balanced growth that encapsulated not just economic progress, but carefully considered conservation of the country’s environmental and traditional values. Turning to the COVID-19 pandemic, he drew attention to Bhutan’s transformation initiatives which represent the ultimate runway that will propel the country to sustainably graduate from the least developed country category and secure lasting progress and economic stability. As a small landlocked economy with a limited resource base of a few vulnerable sectors such as agriculture and hydropower, Bhutan’s landlocked status will continue to remain a challenge in accessing international markets and participation in global trade and investment opportunities. NARAYAN KAJI SHRESTHA, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, aligning himself with the Group of Least Developed Countries and the statement to be delivered by the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, pointed out that only six States have graduated from the least developed category since its creation in 1971. Progress has been “agonizingly slow”, he emphasized, and such countries cannot wait another half century just to leave this status. He therefore called on development partners to effectively implement the Doha Programme of Action in tandem with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For its part, Nepal is committed to graduating by 2026, despite profound economic setbacks resulting from the pandemic, earthquakes and climate change. His country has also initiated the “Liberia Economic Recovery Plan” to protect economic recovery, by minimizing revenue collapse arising from the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic — and has further established policy frameworks and interventions to address the impacts of climate change and protect the environment, including the National Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy, the completion of the revised nationally determined contributions, and the formulation of the first and second National Biodiversity and Strategy Action Plans. His Government will continue to forge partnerships with international, multilateral, bilateral and local stakeholders to encourage new economic engagement, strengthen regional and global health, promote food security and advance peace and security. He noted the Programme of Action provides the platform for strengthening partnerships, supporting achievement of full potential in raising the standard of living of the more than 1.1 billion women, men, youth and children, who live in those 46 States. … He noted that gross national income does not fully reflect the reality of problems and challenges that Tuvalu faces, such as aid fragmentation. The accessibility of Tuvalu to international funds and donor-funded programmes are to be properly analysed to capture the true picture of the current aid situation in the country. Given Tuvalu’s many development challenges, graduating from least developed country status will put further burden on its development efforts and can hinder achievement of its national development goals, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. He strongly advocated for adding more indexes that can capture vulnerabilities of small island developing States — as they constantly face cyclones, droughts and outbreaks of diseases, all of which are not fully captured in economic vulnerability index indicators. The key concern for Tuvalu is that graduation will withdraw least-developed-country-specific international support, which includes modalities and access to certain concessional finance instruments and preferential market access for exports and allocation of aid and climate finance. Spotlighting Nepal’s transformation from autocracy to democracy — institutionalized in its Constitution promulgated in 2015 — he stressed that political gains cannot be consolidated without providing economic dividends to the people. He went on to call for continued support for graduating and graduated least developed countries so that graduation is irreversible. To accelerate the structural transformation of such countries, he called on development partners to fulfil their ODA commitments. Turning to climate change, he welcomed the decision at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference to establish a loss and damage fund, stressing that the same must have sufficient resources. He added that meeting the 0 billion climate-finance promise stands as a “test case” for the future, also calling for comprehensive debt relief for debt-distressed least developed countries. VICTOIRE TOMEGAH DOGBÉ, Prime Minister of Togo, stressed that the Doha Programme of Action will only be meaningful if it contributes in the long term to tangibly reduce the major gap separating least developed from developed countries. Highlighting the importance of structural transformation and developed international trade, she called for support for least developed countries to help them better adapt to climate change and environmental degradation. Moreover, the Doha Programme of Action aspires to mobilize international solidarity with the revitalization of global partnerships and innovative tools. However, she cautioned, the will of least developed countries will not be enough for the full implementation of these actions. Least developed countries possess natural and human resources to promote their economic growth, global well-being and prosperity. To this end, the international community has formulated a vision with the aim of supporting sustainable development of these countries by prioritizing the development of their productive capacities. He went on to underscore the role of least developed countries in strengthening global transportation cooperation. Turkmenistan’s economic efforts are focused on economic integration, he said, noting that his country is cooperating with numerous States around the world on a bilateral basis. In this context, he drew attention to the energy connection among Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan which will create opportunities for other countries in the region to access reliable sources of energy to meet their needs. This conference will have a decisive impact on developing common decisions and actions to improve the lives of populations of least developed countries, he said. NTHOMENG MAJARA, Prime Minister of Lesotho, said least developed countries face skyrocketing inflation, economic stagnation, worsening poverty and escalating climate catastrophes — painting a bleak future for those countries and risking the loss of a decade’s hard-won gains. Lesotho has, however, embarked on efforts to work towards meeting graduation criteria. The gross national income per capita for 2021 was ,270, a 4.96 per cent increase from 2020 — above the graduation threshold of ,242, but far below the income-only graduation threshold. The country’s gross national income per capita is lower than the average for least developed countries. To improve the level of income in Lesotho and achieve sustainable economic growth, the Government is working to boost private-sector-led employment creation. She cited poor performance in the agricultural sector resulting in food insecurity. Although some of the priority areas of the Istanbul Programme of Action were not met in the last decade, notable advances have been made in several key areas such as access to ICT, sustainable energy, health, education, gender and governance. Note: A complete summary of today’s plenary meetings of the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries will be made available after their conclusion. He stressed the need to confront the unsustainable debt burden in many least developed countries and take urgent and necessary measures to reduce the debt situation if they are to return to normalcy. Immediate actions, such as debt relief and restructuring, reallocation of unutilized special drawing rights and a of new allocation of such rights are necessary. It is further imperative for developed countries to meet their ODA commitments. Those States must fulfil their historic commitment to allocate between 0.15 per cent and 0.20 per cent of their GDP to ODA for the least developed countries. The process of graduation to a higher stage must be re-evaluated to ensure the sustainability of the progress achieved in each case. It is unreasonable for those countries, once graduated, to stop receiving specific treatment when their vulnerability is evident. Graduated countries would not face this reality if developed countries fulfilled their commitment to contribute 0.7 per cent of their GDP to ODA — still a mere pipe dream today. Speaking in his national capacity, he called for an end to unilateral coercive measures, including the illegal blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States for six decades. He recalled that in 2000, his country set its goal for graduation from the least developed countries category by 2020. Since then, it has been pursuing this ultimate objective through integrating least developed countries programmes of action into its national socioeconomic development strategy. As a result of two consecutive reviews in 2018 and 2021, his country was recommended for graduation despite the setback caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 that undermined its progress. Given the negative impact posed by the pandemic, he said that his county has extended its transitional period to 2026. To this end, it has been working closely with the United Nations country team to formulate the Smooth Transition Strategy that lays out policies and priority actions critical to its sustainable graduation. Graduating from the least developed country status requires not only strong commitments and concrete actions by the national Government, but also by the international community as a whole, he said, calling for international support during graduation, transition and beyond graduation.
Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries: 3rd & 4th Meetings (AM & PM)
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