Least Developed Countries focal points convene with call to address development gaps

On March 31, 2025, the Government of Zambia and the Office of the High Representative for Least Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) hosted the LDC National Focal Points Workshop ahead of the 3rd Least Developed Countries Future Forum planned for 1-3 April 2025. This marked a critical moment in the journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing the challenges outlined in the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA).

Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, opened the workshop with a welcome to all delegates from across the globe, acknowledging the Turkish government’s sponsorship, and emphasizing Zambia’s commitment to tackling the pressing issues faced by LDCs. His message was clear: as the world approaches 2030, the urgency of addressing development gaps in the least developed nations has never been greater. “The Doha Programme of Action is critical for enhancing the capacities of LDCs and ensuring that we move closer to the achievement of sustainable development,” he said.

He noted that despite the importance of the Doha Programme, its benefits would only materialize if the framework was implemented fully and in a timely manner. “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” he said, underscoring the importance of monitoring progress. Delegates were urged to collaborate and exchange best practices in a bid to overcome emerging challenges in the mainstreaming and monitoring of the DPoA.

The progress made so far was heartening, with Sao Tome and Principe becoming the second country to graduate from the LDC category in December 2024, following Bhutan’s success in 2023. This represents a significant milestone for the LDCs, signaling that, despite daunting challenges, progress toward graduation is possible. Mr. Haimbe pointed to these successes as a source of renewed hope for LDCs, calling for stronger international partnerships to help other nations achieve the same.

Ms. Rabab Fatima, the Under Secretary-General and High-Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) also spoke at the opening ceremony and offered her insights into the status of the LDCs and the challenges that remain. In her speech, Ms. Fatima highlighted the notable achievements made since the previous meeting in Istanbul in 2024. Among the most significant successes was a rise in GDP growth across LDCs, which reached 4.1% in 2024, up from 2.7% in 2023. There was also encouraging growth in manufacturing value-added, reflecting a positive trend in structural transformation. Additionally, women’s representation in national parliaments in LDCs now stands at 26.8%, surpassing the global average of 26.4%.

Despite these advances, challenges persist. Ms. Fatima pointed out that LDCs remain highly vulnerable to systemic shocks, such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rising poverty levels. “Nearly one third of the population in LDCs live under the international poverty line,” she said, emphasizing the disproportionate burden these nations bear in the face of global crises. The external debt of LDCs surged to $774 billion in 2023, a three-fold increase since 2010, placing additional strain on their economies.

The pressing need for strong national ownership and leadership was a central theme of Ms. Fatima’s address. The integration of the DPoA into national development strategies is critical for achieving the intended outcomes, she stressed. Furthermore, capacity-building support for LDCs to address their institutional, technical, and financial needs was emphasized, particularly as the world faces a growing digital divide and climate crisis.

Ms. Fatima also highlighted the importance of science, technology, and innovation in the DPoA implementation. She noted that addressing the digital divide, especially for women and marginalized communities, requires targeted policies to expand digital literacy and access to affordable internet. Additionally, fostering strong global partnerships will be crucial to facilitating knowledge transfer and supporting innovation ecosystems in LDCs.

As the workshop proceeded, discussions focused on the need for a comprehensive national monitoring and reporting framework to track progress in implementing the DPoA. Ms. Fatima stressed that the global community must continue to provide enhanced support to strengthen the statistical capacities of LDCs to generate reliable data, which is essential for informed policymaking.

The workshop provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and progress made but also a moment to look forward to pivotal events on the global stage. The discussions were a testament to the commitment of LDCs and their international partners to achieving the SDGs and ensuring that the voices of the least developed nations are heard and acted upon. 

Partnerships and national actions are critical in ensuring that countries graduate from the classification of Least Developed Countries classification.