(Continued) Joint General Assembly–Economic and Social Council special thematic event on the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries - General Assembly, 80th session, 2026 | ECOSOC, 2026 session

Good afternoon, everybody. If you could take your seats, we're going to begin. The panel discussion of the Joint General Assembly and Economic and Social Council's special thematic event on the Mid-term Review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries is called to order. Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, and friends. My name is Gabriel Elizondo. I'm a journalist for Al Jazeera English here at the United Nations. It's a privilege to moderate this afternoon's session, and I thank the President of the General Assembly, the President of the Economic and Social Council, and the Office of the High Representative for entrusting me with this today. We are here at the halfway point, and halfway points are for many things, among them for honesty. The Doha Programme of Action set out in 2022 to challenge the trajectory of the world's 44 least developed countries by the end of this decade. Three years on, as we look toward the midterm review, in Doha next, next March, the candid assessment of where we're at is that we are not quite on track. In fact, you could say we are behind. Consider what the numbers tell us. We've all heard these numbers, but they're worth repeating. More than 510 million people in these countries live in extreme poverty, over 4 in 10. Hunger is not retreating, It is rising. And in 2024, only 60% of people in LDCs had electricity at all, while more than 70% of everyone on this planet still living without power lives in a least developed country. This afternoon, why we are here, we are going to be focusing on energy, and what we— and we will do so deliberately Because energy is not one problem among many. It is the thread that runs through all of the others. Without reliable, affordable power, you cannot build a clinic, you cannot run a school, you cannot process a harvest or grow an economy that can stand on its own. This morning, I know many of us watched the presentations and the interventions in the GA Hall. And the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, talked about LDCs being able to, quote, leapfrog to cleaner, decentralized energy. The question for this room, which we can consider in the coming minutes and hours, is what stands between that promise and the actual delivery? This conversation that we're going to have this afternoon comes at a sharp moment. Instability in the Middle East is pushing up oil prices and tightening the markets for diesel and for fertilizer. For the least developed countries, most of which import their energy, that is not an abstract discussion. It means higher fuel bills, higher food prices, less fiscal room, and deeper debt. Sometimes that's all happening at once. The shock lands hardest on those least able to absorb it. So the question before our panel is both twofold and quite urgent. How do we turn energy from a vulnerability into a foundation for resilience? How do we secure access, finance the transition, and do it on a timeline that meets people where they actually are and not where we wish they were. We have an exceptional panel to take all of this on. Voices from countries that are there facing some of these issues, from the United Nations Development System, from the climate process, and from the next generation who will inherit these commitments. A brief word on how we will proceed. We'll first hear a statement from each of our panelists in turn. After that, I'll open the floor for general statements, and I'd ask delegations, with all due respect, to honor the time limits as best as possible so that every voice can be heard before we close. The purpose of this session is not only to take stock, it is to send something forward—concrete, honest input that helps the Midterm Review in Doha arrive with real commitments. With that, let me turn it over to our panel. I now give the floor to His Excellency Tesfaye Yilma Soba, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations and co-chair of the Group of Friends on Energy. Sir, the floor is yours.

Thank you, moderator. Mr. President, for giving me the floor, and distinguished panelists, Excellencies and delegates. I have a statement to deliver, but during the interactive session, we can flesh them out. I will share the Ethiopian experience, where we are and how we are doing it. The Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries serves as a framework for the LDCs on their efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy to achieve structural transformation is vital for advancing of the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries. Furthermore, it's crucial to address the inequalities in access to sustainable energy that are faced by the LDCs. Ethiopia's experience. Ethiopia has registered significant progress towards achieving affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy through its National Electrification Programme. Over the past 7 years, our electricity generation has doubled, increasing installed capacity from 4,000 from 1,500 megawatts to 9,760 megawatts. This is not a big number, but still it's important. Ethiopia primarily relies on renewable energy sources for electricity, with hydropower contributing from 90 to 97% of the country's supply. Currently, Ethiopia operates 15 hydropower plants, with combined installed capacity of 9,208 megawatts. Diversification. The government of Ethiopia is actively pursuing energy diversification to geothermal, solar energy, wind farms, and waste-to-energy projects to avoid dependency on hydropower, which is vulnerable to fluctuations based on rainfall. We are prioritizing wind, solar, and geothermal as climate-resilient complementary sources. Potential. In addition to its estimated hydropower potential of 45,000 megawatts, Ethiopia possesses approximately 10,000 megawatts of geothermal energy potential. However, less than 1% of this capacity has been harnessed to date. The country has also abundant solar and wind energy resources, presenting immense opportunities to diversify its renewable energy portfolio, strengthen energy security, and accelerate universal access to clean energy. Investment. Over the past decade, Ethiopia has invested over $9 billion USD $1.5 billion. This is a big sum for Ethiopia in hydropower and wind farms. Furthermore, we have launched Clean Cooking Investment Plan 2025-2035, a $3.38 billion 10-year strategy to raise clean cooking access from 10% in 2024 to 75.87% by 2035. Through large-scale technology deployment, carbon finance, private sector engagement, and major institutional reforms, by expanding clean cooking access, that will benefit more than 90 million people. Regulation. Ethiopia has become the first country to restrict the importation of gasoline diesel-powered vehicles, allowing only electric and hybrid alternatives in the country. By 2024, the national electric vehicle fleet surpassed 100,000. Investment ecosystem. To create enabling environments and to facilitate private sector investment, We have established a framework for public-private partnership to strengthen private sector participation in energy generation. Regional power interconnectivity. We believe it's crucial to strengthen cooperation at the regional level and support regional cross-border power grid connectivity. A key enabler of Ethiopia's clean energy expansion is our active participation in the East African Power Pool , which promotes cross-border electricity trade and coordinated infrastructure planning. Our national grid is directly connected with Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya, and indirectly with Tanzania through Kenya, the Kenya-Tanzania power interconnection. The Ethiopia-South Sudan power interconnection, currently under feasibility, study, and the Ethiopia-Somalia power interconnections are under development. The challenge. Ethiopia still faces formidable challenges relating to mobilizing financial resources and technical capability needed to realize clean energy access to all of its people. One-third of Ethiopians still lack access to electricity. 50%. Addressing this gap requires coordinated action, with an estimated annual investment of at least $1 billion needed to achieve universal access. In conclusion, let me underscore the critical importance of scaling up private investment, development finance, capacity building and technology transfer, which are the fundamentals for the least developed countries to implement the Doha Plan of— the Doha Programme of Action and meet Agenda 2030. Ethiopia reiterates its commitment to realize universal access to clean energy through the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and calls on the international community to uphold the commitments made in various fora, including the OPA. Finally, we look forward to the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Mid-term Review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries 2022-2031, and that will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in early September. I thank you, Mr. Moderator.

I thank His Excellency for his remarks. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Aslı Güven, Deputy Permanent Representative and Charge d'Affaires of Türkiye. Madam, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. Elizondo. It's a great honor for Türkiye to address this important panel as the co-chair of the Group of Friends of the LDCs, as the country that hosted LDC 4, and as the COP31 President-designate. We would like to thank the President of the General Assembly as well as the President of ECOSOC for organizing this special thematic event. Today, geographical fragmentation, supply chain disruptions, and climate-related disasters are reinforcing one another, deepening the existing structural vulnerabilities of the seas. Recent instabilities in global energy markets, as already highlighted by our moderator, have clearly demonstrated that energy security is not merely a technical or environmental issue. It is a fundamental development, resilience, poverty reduction imperative. Unfortunately, the 2030 Agenda is significantly off track. Without reliable, affordable and sustainable energy, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals indeed remains a distant target. Net energy importing LDCs are bearing the heaviest brunt of volatile prices, which erodes their scarce financial space and exacerbates debt vulnerabilities. Colleagues, no country has the capacity to address these systematic challenges —alone. Overcoming these barriers requires a renewed commitment to multilateralism and scaled-up predictable international support. Guided by Doha Programme of Action, Turkey remains fully committed to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships to meet both the short-term and long-term energy needs of LDCs. The least developed countries remain on the frontline of the climate crisis despite having contributed the least to global emissions. Climate change continues to strengthen existing vulnerabilities, posing significant challenges to sustainable development and poverty eradication. As the COP 31 President-designate, Türkiye believes that accelerating implementation must be at the heart of our collective efforts. Our overarching objective is to deliver an implementation-focused COP that translates commitments into tangible outcomes while taking into account different national circumstances. In this regard, the concerns and priorities of vulnerable countries and regions, particularly the LDCs, LDCs will remain central to our agenda. We will continue to emphasize the importance of strengthening support for developing countries, especially LDCs, including through enhanced access to climate finance aligned with nationally determined priorities and development pathways, while drawing guidance from the Doha Programme of Action. At the Bonn Climate Conference, COP 31 President His Excellency Mr. Murad Kuruç announced priorities of COP 31 climate action agenda. These include, among others, accelerating the clean energy transition, advancing zero waste and methane reduction efforts, and establishing BRIDGE, which is the strengthened climate action implementation mechanism. Under this agenda, we have set clear and measurable ambitions for 2031. We aim to accelerate the global clean energy transition by increasing the global electrification rate to 31% and to improve resilience and efficiency by reducing energy intensity in the building sector by 25%. Through the BRIDGE mechanism, mechanism developed in partnership with the UNDP, we seek to connect global commitments with concrete action on the ground, helping deliver practical solutions and measurable benefits for those most vulnerable to climate change. Let me, if I may, say a few words on Turkey's experience. And our experience also demonstrates the strategic value of connectivity and diversification in enhancing energy security. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Türkiye has emerged as a key energy hub, facilitating the secure and reliable flow of energy resources through major pipeline networks, LNG infrastructure, and electricity interconnections. By promoting diversified supply routes and investing in renewable renewable energy, Türkiye contributes to regional and global energy security by supporting a more resilient and sustainable energy future. This experience underscores the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, connectivity, and infrastructure to help vulnerable countries improve energy access and reduce their exposure to external shocks. Distinguished colleagues, a successful green and The success of clean energy transition in LDCs is linked to their capacity to absorb and utilize innovation. Access to new and emerging technologies constitutes a fundamental challenge as the global digital and technological gap deepens. Without adequate access to these technologies, building resilient economy is virtually possible. In this regard, we would like to underscore the critical importance of the UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries that we host in Türkiye. As an essential pillar in bridging the digital technological divide, the bank enables LDCs to pursue sustainable and inclusive development pathways, including in the energy transition. It also stands ready to facilitate the green transition by strengthening the science, technology, and innovation capacities of LDCs. In conclusion, sustainable development must be inclusive, participatory, and non-discriminatory. Our ultimate objective is to leave no one behind. And as the co-chair of the Group of Friends of LDCs and the incoming COP 31 President, Tunisia will continue to be a strong advocate and a reliable partner for vulnerable countries, and we stand ready to work with the UN and Member States to secure a resilient and prosperous future for the LDCs. I thank you.

I thank Her Excellency for those remarks. I now give the floor to Ms. Ahuna Ezeakonoah, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, of the United Nations Development Programme. Madame, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and a big thank you to the organizers for really involving and associating UNDP with this important topic. Mr. Chair, as you already stated, the recent crisis in the Middle East have really confirmed one more time that energy shocks are no longer a sectoral problem, that they are systemic risk multipliers for the most exposed economies. I think the latest shock has disrupted close to 20 million barrels of oil a day and a fifth of the global LNG trade. And our Secretary-General recently warned that up to 45 million people could be pushed towards extreme hunger if disruptions persist. And for LDCs, which are mostly overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly net energy importers, every Price that goes up drains fiscal space, widens balance of payments gaps, and deepens the distress. Energy insecurity cascades directly into food insecurity and instability. And resilience then is not about access to fuel only, but it is about diversified, domestically anchored energy systems that hold when shocks hit, and energy security is the missing link in the resilience of the least developed countries, and the clearest test of whether the Doha Programme of Action delivers is in this topic. We should, therefore, treat energy in the upcoming Plan of Action Mid-term Review not as a not as a social service to be extended, but as the economic and resilience backbone on which structural transformation depends. On its current trajectory, the LDC Group will reach the Doha midpoint in 2030, far short of the universal access that we promised. Globally, We still have over 600 million people who remain without electricity, and 85% of those are in sub-Saharan Africa, and progress continues really to be outrun by demography. In 2023, we had 35 million people who had gained access across the region, yet the number left in the dark fell by only 5 million. That's an indictment. At the very moment we need to accelerate, official development assistance to LDCs fell by close to 26% in 2025 and is set to decline even further for the third consecutive year. UNDP's message is direct: The present model is neither fast enough nor resilient enough, and it will not close the gap without a different approach. So for LDCs, the fastest and most affordable route to resilience runs through distributed renewables, not centralized grids alone. Centralized grids are important and must continue. Decentralized systems already account for more than half of new electricity connections in sub-Saharan Africa because they are quicker to deploy, they are more flexible, and they are far better suited to fragile and rural settings. Through the Africa Mini Grids Program, UNDP is working with 21 countries in the region, 19 of them in LDCs, to build the policy and market conditions that turn this potential into scaled investment-ready delivery. In Nigeria, the solar mini-grids we support are already powering farmers, small enterprises, schools, and clinics in communities, and of course, the grid— this These were communities that the grid was never defined to reach. Energy access only changes lives when it powers economies and supports human development. So energy must be tied to livelihoods and social services, not just lighting. Productive use in agriculture, Processing and small industry is what converts electrons into jobs. Incomes and reduced dependency are part of that. The economies— the economics reinforce the case for accelerating clean energy instrument investments in LDCs. Solar PV generates roughly 9.5 jobs for every million dollars invested, against about 2.7 for oil and gas, and a just transition could create some 14 million net new jobs and lift 45 million people out of energy poverty by 2035. UNDP's offer is built precisely around this link between energy security, and economic transformation. Electrification of health and education infrastructures is what builds human capital that then power the growth of tomorrow, and this is why UNDP Solar for Health initiatives has really electrified around 1,000 health facilities across 15 countries in regions where 1 in 4 facilities has no power at all and 2/3 lack a reliable supply, including hospitals in places like Burundi, where fewer than 15% of people are connected to the grid. The binding constraint is no longer capital. It is how that capital is structured and whether it reaches the LDCs. Clean energy investment now runs at around $2 trillion a year, globally, yet Africa attracts barely 2% of that. The cost of capital, on the other hand, is reaching 12.5% to 16% in low-income countries and above 20% in fragile settings, against 4.5% to 6% in advanced economies. The ask is not simply more finance, it is better finance, concessional resources,— used deliberately to de-risk and crowd in private capital, simpler access to climate finance, and financing that integrates energy with broad development targets. Together, UNDP and UNCDF offer something the UN system otherwise lacks, which is bringing in policy reform and country platforms, while UNCDF brings risk capital and financial instruments, and this is how we hope we can continue to support. Finally, Mr. Chair, I think digital data and AI are not luxuries now for LDCs. They are a force multiplier for countries that can least afford to plan blind. AI-enabled grid management and digital planning are already improving renewable energy integration by 20 to 30%, and geospatial Spatial targeting allows scarce investment to reach the communities that need it most. This is also a powerful combination we would like to table. I thank you. Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank Ms. Ezeokona for your remarks. I now give the floor to Ms. Rek Molapo, our youth delegate.

All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Moderator. As one of the young people who participated in LDC5 a few years ago and who was contributing so much to the process of creating a Youth Declaration, I'm quite excited with getting this opportunity to come and give my intervention as we are at this point where we're pretty much doing the midterm review, and so with that said, As I said, I just want to highlight some of my key interventions, but I wanted to say that I appreciate this platform. So my intervention is organized around 4 key points that basically link energy security directly to resilience, opportunity, and implementation. And my first point is really centered around energy security being a development issue and not just an energy issue. Issue. And for young people in LDCs, energy access determines access to education, healthcare, digital opportunities, livelihoods, and entrepreneurship. And when young people lack reliable electricity or generally energy access, they are not only energy poor, but they are opportunity poor. Energy security for us is a foundation for economic transformation, human development, and resilience. And of course, it's connected to digital inclusion, skills development, small business growth, agricultural productivity, and access to public services, as some of the previous speakers have highlighted. I thought it would be important to just reiterate that. One other important point that has been shared throughout the day from the morning sessions up until now is the instability in the Middle East. What's happening in the Strait of Hormuz. And that, for us as young people, is a stark reminder why we need to move towards renewables and not to rely on fossils anymore, not only as a climate imperative, but also as an economic imperative, as was mentioned earlier. And for us, it's important that we move towards an energy transition that's not just clean,, but that's also just, a just energy transition that will ensure that no one is left behind, which definitely also includes young people. For us, the clean energy transition provides a lot of potential for creating jobs and economic opportunities for young people specifically. The LDCs have some of the youngest populations in the world, and renewable energy investments should not only deliver electricity, but also to create employment skills and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. This should not merely just— young people should not only just be beneficiaries of the energy transition, but they should be its workforce, its innovators, and entrepreneurs. So we therefore call for green skills training, technical and vocational education, and also support for youth-led renewable energy enterprises, which tend to lack some support and access to climate finance that was already mentioned earlier. And for us, we see various entry points for young people in local value chains around solar, in the mini-grids that have been mentioned, in energy services and maintenance, even in efficiency. Those are some of the entry points that we identify where young people can come into this specific sector. And we believe this is important because it links energy commitment to structural transformation, which is very much central to the DPOA objective. Now, my third point is around financing systems and how accessible they should be to LDCs and, of course, young people. Our discussions here today have highlighted financing barriers repeatedly, and for us, we say financing cannot be considered successful if it remains inaccessible to the countries and communities that need it most. Including young people, because usually there's a lot of complexity around accessing climate finance. There's limited capacity for LDCs and even for young people, and there are various challenges faced by youth-led organizations and enterprises that are trying to get into this specific sector. So we definitely call for simplified, locally accessible, and more equitable financing mechanisms that can also allow young people to participate in this— in this important sector. This point connects directly to one of the biggest implementation bottlenecks that have already been identified and that has been mentioned in the conversations that we've been having today. Now, my last point is around resilience and how much it requires meaningful youth participation in decision-making and implementation. And while it is great that young people get to get this platform to sit here and to have their voices and speak out on these important issues that affect our development. We believe there's more to do. We can improve on how we mainstream young people in the conversations and in the important decisions that take place in such processes. So we believe policies should be designed without— we believe that policies designed without the meaningful participation of young people risk overlooking the realities of the generation that will live longest with their consequences. And as we already know, young people are already driving innovation and community resilience, and we believe they should be represented in national energy planning, in NDC implementation, adaptation planning, and DPOA monitoring. And I must say that participation— our participation participation should move beyond consultation towards more co-creation and shared decision-making. Of course, there's progress that has been made overall, and I just wanted to highlight that Timor-Leste, Malawi, and Lesotho can be great case studies of how they've been mainstreaming young people in some of the DPOA implementation processes and activities. For instance, in my home country, I've been part of important processes that we're also working on the report that Lesotho submitted earlier this year. But we need to move beyond just that to ensure that all 44 LDCs also enable the young people to be mainstreamed in the processes that pertain to DPOA implementation. So in conclusion, I just want to say that this aligns well with the spirit of the Pact the UN Pact for the Future, and of course our DPOA Youth Declaration. And most of the points that I have highlighted here are also very much aligned to what we had shared as our aspirations as young people in our Youth Declaration for the DPOA. The Youth Declaration for the DPOA, which we called For All Generations, called for young people to be engaged not only as beneficiaries, but as partners in implementing, monitoring, and in reviewing the Doha Programme of Action. This midterm review provides an opportunity to assess whether that commitment is becoming a reality, and one fundamental way of ensuring that reality is through structure and formalization. We call for young people to be formally included in the processes that pertain to the DPOA implementation, specifically looking at today's topic. We believe that through structure, youth engagement won't just be an afterthought, but will be more formalized and allow us to meaningfully participate in these important conversations and the processes that go on ahead. So, with that said and done, I'd like to thank you.

I'd like to thank Ms. Molopo for your comments and your remarks, and everybody on the panel actually came at it from a slightly different perspective, but taken together, I think it gave a real good contextual view of the situation of where we stand at this midway point right now. Before I open the floor for general statements, I would like to remind delegations that, as indicated in the journal, there is no pre-established list of speakers for this meeting. Delegations wishing to speak, speak, are requested to press the the microphone button starting now. To allow maximum participation by all, members are requested to limit their interventions to 3 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group and 2 minutes when speaking in a national capacity. Time limits will be strictly enforced through an automatic microphone cutoff, and a timer will be projected on the screens. I thank you for your cooperation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh, to be followed by South Sudan and then Mexico.

Thank you, Mr. Moderator. I thank the panelists for their thoughtful insights on this timely and important issue. Bangladesh aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the LDC Group. Energy security is crucial to the development prospects for LDC. The Doha Programme of Action rightly recognizes that access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy is essential for structural transformation. Recent disruptions in global energy markets have demonstrated how quickly supply and price shocks can undermine development gains. For energy-importing countries like Bangladesh, Volatility in fuel markets drives up food, transport, and production costs, while placing additional strain for public finance at a time when greater investment is needed in social protection, climate resilience, and productive sectors. Our responses to these challenges must be practical and grounded in national circumstances. LDCs require greater access access to concessional and climate finance to diversify their energy mix. Investment in renewable energy, distributed systems, and energy efficiency can strengthen resilience, expand access, and reduce dependence on imported fuels. International cooperation is indispensable in this regard. Greater support for technology transfer can help accelerate progress. Equally important is enhancing support to strengthen national implementation capacity. As we undertake the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action, energy security should remain at the center of our efforts to build resilience and advance sustainable development across—

I thank the representative of Bangladesh. I now give the floor to the representative of Nepal on behalf of the LDC Group.

Thank you, Excellencies, dear colleagues. I have the honor to deliver these remarks on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries. Today, LDCs stand at the frontline of multiple and overlapping crises: climate change, geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, food insecurity, debt distress, and disruption in global supply chains.— have exposed and deepened our structural vulnerabilities. At the heart of these challenges lies a fundamental reality: without reliable, affordable, sustainable, and modern energy, LDCs' aspirations for sustainable development, poverty eradication, and economic transformation will remain out of reach. For LDCs, achieving energy security is essential to delivering on the commitments of Agenda 2030 and Doha Programme of Action. Despite some progress, Only 60% of our people have access to electricity, while over 70% of the world's population without electricity still lives in LDCs. Many of our countries remain heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, making them vulnerable to price volatility and external disruptions. Limited investment, inadequate infrastructure, technological gaps, and constrained fiscal space continue to hinder our energy transition. Excellencies, the LDC Group would like to highlight a few points. First, we urge the international community to scale up investment in sustainable energy infrastructure across LDCs. Expanding mini-grids, hydropower and solar systems, energy storage, and climate-resilient infrastructure can enhance electricity access to remote and underserved communities. Public and private financing must be mobilized to bridge the substantial substantial energy access and infrastructure gaps that persist in our countries. Second, technology transfer and capacity building must be enhanced to enable LDCs to develop, maintain, and innovate energy systems that are resilient, efficient, and sustainable. Third, concessional financing and climate finance should be made more accessible, predictable, and responsive to unique circumstances and needs of LDCs. Fourth, regional energy cooperation and cross-border connectivity should be strengthened to improve energy reliability, lower costs, and enhance resilience against future disruptions. Finally, we emphasize that global energy transition must be just, equitable, and inclusive. LDCs contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions yet suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change. Our development priorities and energy needs must be recognized and supported as part of a fair and balanced transition. Excellencies, building a resilient future for LDCs requires more than addressing immediate energy needs. It requires transforming our energy systems into engines of sustainable development, economic diversification, and long-term resilience. Let us work together to ensure that no country is left behind in the global energy transition, and that every person, regardless of where they live, has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Nepal on behalf of the LDC Group. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from South Sudan.

Thank you, Chair and panelists, for the presentations. South Sudan is one of the least developed countries, recognizes that inadequate access to energy remains a major threat to sustainable development and lasting peace. The Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries 2022 highlights affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy as a critical enabler of economic growth, poverty reduction, industrialization, education, healthcare, and climate resilience. In South Sudan, limited access to electricity continues to constrain development efforts, particularly in rural communities. The high cost of energy affects business, reduces employment opportunities, limits access to essential services and hinders the delivery of humanitarian and peacebuilding activities. The Government of South Sudan, with the support of development partners, is working to expand energy access through investment in renewable energy, rural electrification, and infrastructure development. Efforts aim to promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen community resilience, and improve the delivery of basic services. At this side event, we would like to emphasize that energy security is not only a development issue but also a peace-building priority. Increased investment in sustainable energy can help address the root causes of—

I thank the distinguished representative from South Sudan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Mexico, followed by the Lao People's Democratic Republic. And then Portugal. Gracias, señor moderador.

Thank you, moderator. Mexico appreciates the opportunity to participate in this roundtable on strengthening energy security as a means of building a more resilient future for the least developed countries and overcoming their structural vulnerabilities. We recognize that access to Affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy constitutes a cross-cutting enabler for the structural transformation of the least developed countries. In this regard, energy security should be understood as part of a broader agenda of resilience, adaptation, and development financing. However, moving towards more resilient energy systems requires more than additional resources. The expansion of renewable energy, electrification, and resilient infrastructure all require improved access to financing, more streamlined procedures, and strengthened national capacities to design, implement, and scale up sustainable projects. In this context, Mexico wishes to highlight the role of South-South and triangular cooperation as complementary instruments of the International Support System for the Least Developed Countries. These modalities of cooperation offer concrete solutions to strengthen institutional capacities, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and better align cooperation offerings with national needs and priorities. Their value is particularly evident in areas such as the energy transition, climate resilience, sustainable financing, and capacity development, where context-specific experiences and solutions can generate tangible and lasting benefits. For all of these reasons, strengthening the energy security of the LDCs is ultimately about strengthening their capacity to move towards a more resilient future.

I thank the distinguished representative from Mexico. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Laos People's Democratic Republic.

Thank you, Chair, distinguished panelists. I would like to thank the panelists for their insightful discussions on the important issues of energy security for least developed countries. In context of the Lao PDR, investment in hydro power and energy infrastructures have enabled near-universal access to electricity and contributed significantly to economic growth and development. We are also advancing our clean energy transition through grid strengthening and efforts to promote renewable energies and electric mobility. However, challenges remain. Transmission bottlenecks and financial constraints continue to affect the full realization of our energy's potentials. These challenges underscore the needs to accelerate energy diversification, strengthen transmission and distribution system, and expand renewable energy and energy efficiencies to enhance resilience and reduced dependence on imported fuels. We therefore underscore the importance of scale-up and more responsive international support tailored to the capacities and realities of LDCs, particularly for climate-resilient energy systems, disaster risk reduction, and productive sector development. We remain committed to pursuing a smooth and resilient energy transition and advancing a pathway towards long-term inclusive development grounded in energy security. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from the Lao People's Democratic Republic. I now give the floor to Portugal, followed by the United Nations Trade and Development, UNCTAD, followed by the World Intellectual Property Organization, followed by the International Telecommunications Union.

Thank you, and thank you to the different panelists for their insights. Portugal remains fully committed to the timely and effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action in line with the 2030 Agenda, The Pact for the Future and the Seville Commitment. The Mid-term Review should renew political momentum, strengthen partnerships and focus implementation where it matters most. For Portugal, this includes supporting smooth and sustainable graduations, preserving development gains and ensuring predictable, tailored and continued international support. Second, energy security is a core development priority for LDCs. Recent tensions affecting critical energy routes remind us that energy insecurity is also about exposure to external shocks, price volatility, and constrained fiscal space. For all these, these shocks affect productive transformation, food systems, health services, education, and climate resilience. Expanding affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy is therefore essential to overcoming structural vulnerabilities. Portugal's cooperation gives particular attention to the decentralized renewable energy solutions, including off- and mini-grid approaches, especially for rural and remote communities. Third, delivery requires practical country-owned partnerships adapted to local needs. Portugal has supported NGOs and national partners in renewable energy initiatives in Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Angola and São Tomé e Príncipe. In Guinea-Bissau, support to the Bolaama Solar Power Plant management model contributes to electricity access in the Bijagos archipelago. To conclude, energy security in LDCs requires predictable and concessional financing, simplified access to funds, and partnerships aligned with national priorities. Portugal stands ready to continue working with LDCs and our partners to translate TOA commitments into concrete results.

I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative from Portugal. I now give the floor to the United Nations Trade and Development, UNCTAD.

Thank you, Moderator. You said that this is a critical juncture in the implementation of the DPOA, and we agree. As we take stock, we believe we must focus on sustainable structural transformation to be able to deliver for LDCs. Graduation is not an end of the development journey, but rather a milestone. We must ensure that graduating countries can compete on an equal footing in the global economy to avoid losing development momentum. Our experience as the author of the Vulnerability Profile shows that sustainable graduation requires focusing on competitiveness, moving toward a model based on knowledge, growth, and resilience. Promoting investment in productive capacities, including access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, is a key enabler of transformation. Yet energy security remains a major barrier. In 2024, only about 60% of the population of LDCs had access to electricity.— with rural populations disproportionately left behind. Without energy, enterprises cannot expand, industry cannot grow, agricultural value chains cannot modernize, and digital transformation cannot advance. To advance the DPOA, we see three priorities. First, structural transformation. Graduation should be a marker of genuine development progress regarding a whole-of-government approach. Second, smooth transition. The phasing out of international support measures mustn't undermine development gains and and smooth transition strategies must be mainstreamed into national development planning. Third, an integrated approach. The challenges facing LDCs are interconnected. UNCTAD is ready to support LDCs by strengthening its focus on graduation, L-vulnerability, expanding targeted technical assistance, and deepening its work on productive capacities and structural transformation. We are committed to providing forward-looking policy analysis, data, and capacity building. Scaling support for digital transformation while helping LDCs better access innovative finance and leverage South-South cooperation and regional integration.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative from UNCTAD. I now would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative from the World Intellectual Property Organization. Thank you.

Science, technology, and innovation, including inclusive and enabling innovation ecosystems, have a critical role to play in realizing the Doha Programme of Action. Intellectual property as an enabler of innovation and creativity is therefore an indispensable element to achieving the outcomes called for by the Programme. WIPO has provided support and assistance to all 44 LDCs, helping them leverage intellectual property, including through our Deliverables Package for LDCs and the WIPO Graduation Support Package. In the time available, I want to focus ahead on the second half of the program and emphasize the following three points. First, given the large and young populations of LDCs, the upgrading of science and technology-based education systems and the promotion of entrepreneurial training to young people needs to remain a priority. Practical knowledge of IP and how to use it, especially among youth, will be critical for a strong innovation ecosystem in the future., and this needs to be achieved at a scale to have a meaningful impact. Second, WIPO stresses the critical importance of embedding IP in broader national policy settings across a range of areas such as education, research and development, business and commerce, trade, agriculture and fisheries to fostering balanced and inclusive innovation ecosystem. Third, assisting SMEs, entrepreneurs, creators, agricultural producers, women, And youth in LDCs identify their intellectual assets and protect them fosters the structural transformation called for in Doha. And going beyond registration of IP rights and focusing on support for their commercialization is particularly important. I would underscore WIPO's strong commitment to continuing and further enhancing our assistance for LDCs in these and other areas based on national needs in realization of Doha in the coming 5 years.

I thank you. I would like to thank the distinguished representative from the World Intellectual Property Organization. I now turn the floor over to the distinguished representative from the International Telecommunication Union, ITU.

Thank you, Chair.

The ITU welcomes this important discussion on the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs. Digital transformation is central to economic growth, resilience, and social inclusion. We are seeing progress. Internet use in LDCs has increased from 26% in 2021 to 34% in 2025. Yet this progress remains uneven, and far too many people are still excluded from the opportunities of the digital economy. The DPOA sets clear targets: 35% broadband penetration by 2025 and 70% by 2031 for both women and men. The Universal and Meaningful Connectivity Framework and the ITU Baku Action Plan go further, setting even more ambitious targets for LDCs. Delivering on these ambitious targets by 2031 will require faster and more coordinated action. In this context, ITU will contribute substantively to the midterm review through a dedicated analytical report on digital transformation in LDCs. The report will be fully aligned with the DPOA, the ITU Baku Action Plan, and the vision of universal and meaningful connectivity. It will provide a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of connectivity trends from 2022 to 2026, evaluate progress under the DPOA, the Pako Action Plan, and identify key gaps and policy priorities. Importantly, it will also help catalyze stronger partnerships and more targeted investment to close the digital divide. We aim to launch this report at the DPOA midterm review in March 2027 in Doha, Qatar, to help shape the next phase of the action and ensure we deliver on our shared commitment to connect everyone everywhere. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative from the International Telecom— International Telecommunication Union. Seeing that there are no more speakers in the queue, I would like to thank all of the speakers. And now I would like to hand the floor over to our distinguished panelists once again for some final comments based on what they heard or what they would like to close with. I'll start with the distinguished representative, the Ambassador from Ethiopia. Mr. Ambassador, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Moderator. I think this is a very, very important debate. The energy— the question of energy for the least developed countries is basically a matter of growing or not growing. Economic development depends on it. Really. That's— let me give you an example. I told you earlier Ethiopia produces, generates something like 9,760 megawatts of energy and we are 130 million people. So compare that, you can Google out some of the energy generations in the developed countries. I, for example, Googled out the energy generation capacity of the UK—real time—between 30,000 and 50,000 megawatts. So you can understand the kind of gap that we have, so the need for investment, the need to work harder and faster. Then the regional approach is extremely important.

We produce—

we are a hilly country in Ethiopia. It's easier and cheaper to produce hydropower, hydro power-generated electricity, and then to share it with the neighborhood. That kind of grid linkages and regional integration is very, very important. To that. And UN is the best platform to coordinate that kind of activity. And then the solar energy case has been— the business case for it has been made very clear by the UNDP representative, E.S. Jiahuna, earlier. In the case of Africa, it's 12 hours daylight, 12 hours darkness. So if we harness the energy, the solar energy, we can light up every cottage and every household in the continent. It takes a little bit of goodwill, a little bit of investment, and coming together in solidarity. The final point that I wanted to make is the energy deficit, energy poverty definitely leads to the— I mean, solidifies the digital divide. Then the digital divide solidifies the AI divide. AI divide, AI requires a lot of energy. I know, I'm sure you know about that. The data centers, how much energy they consume in this country and in the developed world. So how are we going to catch up in the case of AI if we don't generate electricity, if we don't generate energy? So to change those things, a very good starting point is energy generation, and we can go clean energy generation for that, and we need to work together. Let me stop my case here, Mr.

Moderator. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for sharing those closing remarks on Ethiopia, the wider region, and really the world. Those concluding remarks from you, we appreciate that. I'd like to turn the floor over to Her Excellency Asli Govan, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Türkiye. Madam, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. Moderator. As we conclude this timely discussion, one message stands out clearly: energy security is not merely a development objective for LDCs, but it's a prerequisite for for access to education, healthcare, public services, and others, as rightfully highlighted by valuable youth delegate here. And also, it's a prerequisite for resilience, economic transformation, and sustainable peace, after all. Yet, LDCs continue to face multiple and interconnected vulnerabilities, and today's discussion has highlighted the importance of mobilizing finance, expanding access to technology, building local capacities, and strengthening partnership. And indeed, I had the privilege of attending LDC5 in Doha myself, and it is important, The importance of Doha Programme of Action provides a valuable— implementation of Doha Programme of Action will continue to provide a valuable framework to advance efforts. I see esteemed PR of Qatar here, also USG Rabab Fatima, who have been working relentlessly with dedication towards the LDCs and let me thank them taking this opportunity. And finally, I'd like to say that my country remains committed to supporting the LDCs through development cooperation, capacity building and partnerships that promote sustainable development and energy access, and during our COP31 presidency, we'll focus on clean energy transition and continue to focus on supporting LDCs. Our collaboration with the UN system, including through initiatives supporting innovation, renewable energy, and skills development, including through the least technology bank for the LDCs, We will continue to invest in partnerships and transformative impact of collective action. And thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative from Türkiye for your closing remarks about the Doha Programme of Action, finance and technology, kind of bringing it all together there. I appreciate that. I'll now go to my left side, and I want to give the floor to Ms. Ezekuna for your closing remarks from UNDP, from your perspective.

Thank you so very much, Mr. Chair. I think one consistent alignment that I hear from the conversation is that energy security for most of the countries that are in this region is really more than access. It's about resilience, it's about economic transformation, and it's about sovereignty, you know, that aspect of creating strategic autonomy. But I also hear something else, and that is the emphasis on renewables, renewable energy, and investment in renewable energy, which is important for these regions because they are also the region that has the abundance of renewable energy, and why shouldn't this be translated into concrete deliverables for these countries with the right kind of investments being made in those directions? Then, thirdly, is the sense that As we really move towards the midterm review in Doha in March, there has to be commitment to arriving there with concrete energy-focused solutions and deliverables embedded in national development agendas and in regional platforms, and I talk here about initiatives like Mission 300 in the context of Africa,, but it's now beyond words and concepts and policies. I think the time— the urgency of this time is that it's compelling all actors to really come to the table with these concrete actions, and UNDP is really committing here to back its own words with action in terms of the initiatives that we have ongoing in several countries. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative, Ms. Ezekunwa, for your remarks, particularly about renewables and the resiliency that you mentioned. I'd now like to invite the last panelist, the distinguished representative, Ms. Malapo. Would you like to give some concluding remarks? If you do, the floor is certainly yours.

Thank you very much for giving me the floor once again. I'd like to just highlight that the renewable energy sector presents great potential for countries like my own that are part of the LDCs. Youth participation is still very much limited in that space, and some of the research that we've done and the work we've done recently with the AU Green Recovery Action Plan team has also just exposed that. So I would like to really call upon all the decision makers to include young people in a meaningful way in this particular sector to ensure that we all bear the great fruits and the potential that it has, because indeed the cost of exclusion is substantial. Limited youth participation reduces the scalability of decentralized energy solutions. It will weaken the pipeline of bankable local enterprises and constrain the effectiveness of climate finance flows. I just want to set the reminder again to say that excluding young people from the sector exacerbates the risks that we already know, and by limiting local technical capacity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, ultimately lowering the return on both public and private investment. So with that said and done, I really just want to reiterate the importance of having young people participating in this specific sector to ensure that we reach our development goals, looking at them from the climate, energy, and access lens. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative, Ms. Malopo, for your closing comments there. Zambia has asked for an intervention, and I would like to give the floor to them for 2 minutes. The distinguished representative from Zambia, the floor is yours.

Thank you very much for accommodating us. Because due to other engagements, we were not able to attend this meeting, but this is a very important engagement for Zambia. And so I was asked to come and just deliver a few remarks beyond the importance of renewable energy, but just to add our voice to the voices that were raised in the morning. I think the major message that was coming from Zambia, specifically in relation to The midterm review was a recognition that while we are making progress as LDCs, there are challenges that persist and the scale of these challenges remains. Issues such as commodity dependence, the tensions, increasing tariffs, declining ODA, as well as the instability, the present instability in of global energy and commodity markets further underscores our vulnerability as LDCs, and these realities mirror the concerns that have been reflected in the Doha Programme of Action and the preparations for the midterm review. We therefore believe that the midterm review will— should focus on strengthening the means of implementation, including scaling up financing for access to energy itself, itself, climate resilience, because countries like ours also depend on water for energy production, but also productive capacity enhancements and addressing debt vulnerabilities through a responsive international financial architecture. We should also preserve trade preferences for LDCs, and then particular attention should be given to the issue of energy security and resilient infrastructure. Infrastructure, given the central role that these play in enabling structural transformation and reducing vulnerabilities to external shocks. I want to thank you for—

I thank the distinguished representative from Zambia. I would now like to just express my appreciation to all of the panelists and to all of the participants for their active engagement this session this afternoon. We're going to pause this meeting, but only very briefly, to do a podium change before we begin with the very important closing segment, which will begin momentarily. Thank you.

You can see me on the screen in English. Please see.

If everyone could take their seats, we're going to get going with the final segment this afternoon. Our closing segment will begin now., and I want to immediately hand the floor over to Her Excellency Ayla Ahmed Saif Al Thani, the Permanent Representative to the State of Qatar to the United Nations, to deliver some closing remarks. Madam, the floor is yours. Thank you.

Sayyidatou wa sadaatu sharafin al-farsal mutahharana lat-tahaddath fi hadhir jalsa.

It is a great honor for me—

for us to take the floor in this concluding segment. We would like to thank the President of the General Assembly. We would also like to thank the President of ECOSOC as well for their efforts to convene this joint meeting between the General Assembly and Ecosoc, this is a turning point in our collective efforts to keep our commitments, our Doha commitments. Today's meetings have been an excellent forum to discuss crucial issues regarding the expectations of the review— meeting on the Doha, the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action that will take place from the 25th to the 27th of March 2027. The discussions have been clear, they've been frank. They have been clear as to the challenges facing LDCs and progress has been examined in terms of what has been achieved in the Doha Programme of Action on the international level. Also, key issues have been highlighted, such as questions of debt, the vulnerabilities facing countries in particular to climate change, and we'd like to welcome the excellent participation in this meeting. This has enabled us to see what progress has been made. In terms of support for development and prosperity in LDCs. Qatar hosting the 5th LDC Conference shows its commitment, its deep commitment to issues regarding these countries and also its commitment to hosting UN meetings on this. The conference was characterized by a very positive dynamic and there were great expectations in particular in terms of mobilizing and innovation. Here we are committing to implement the Doha Program of Action for LDCs and to transform it into practical measures. Here we're talking about something that is absolutely crucial. Last year Qatar Through the Qatar Development Fund, we signed agreements with representatives of the— high representatives of LDCs, the OHRLLS, to mobilize international assistance. $21 million were mobilized. Mobilized to bolster the resilience of these countries and to help to mobilize food resources in those countries. The State of Qatar also in December last year hosted the high-level meeting on LDCs. The topic was creating international partnerships, far-reaching international partnerships for least developed countries. We have our belief that there is a need to have partnerships to assist these countries and to focus assistance to LDCs so that they are able to meet the challenges that they face. We are very much looking forward to hosting the midterm review in March 2027. That high-level meeting. That will be a key benchmark in terms of assessing progress made, looking at any shortcomings, and achieving— ensuring the expectations of LDCs are achieved and bolstering partnerships which ensure the full implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. So tangible results to strengthen sustainable development, in other words, and to make progress in a more proactive way before the Programme of Action is fully implemented. We are very much looking forward to hosting you in Doha in March 2027. We would urge countries to participate at the highest level possible. We have full confidence that the ideas presented today will present an excellent basis to achieve fruitful results during Doha, and we would reiterate the fact I assure you that, as we always do, the State of Qatar will spare no effort whatsoever to achieve these results.

I thank you. Thank you, Excellency, for closing remarks. And I know that a lot of people are looking forward to that midterm review in Doha in March of next year, that high-level meeting to really assess progress of where things stand. So I know that that's a lot of interest in that in the coming months. I now give the floor to Ms. Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, and Secretary-General of the Mid-term Review, to deliver her closing remarks. Madam, the floor is yours. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Moderator. Ambassador Alia Ahmed Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, Let me begin by thanking Ambassador Ali Al Thani and her government for their unwavering support to the LLDCs and their commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. I wish to once again thank the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECOSOC for convening this very timely meeting, and I would also like to thank the Honourable Ministers of Malawi and Qatar for their kind participation this morning and for their important directions to our discussion. I also thank the chair of the LDC group for his steadfast leadership at this critical moment in time. Excellencies, we just had heard— had an excellent panel discussion on energy security and its impact on sustainable development, and I would like to thank our distinguished panel for their insightful presentations. I would also like to thank you, Mr. Moderator, for having so ably facilitated this afternoon's session. Thank you very much. I thank all delegations for their active engagement and substantive contributions to this important debate as we start our preparations for the midterm review. As we have heard over the course of the day, The LDCs continue to confront daunting challenges in the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and remain seriously off track on the SDGs. The Doha Programme of Action was adopted at a time when the world was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. It was designed as a global compact to support the LDCs to overcome their deep structural challenges. Yet over the past 4 years, global shocks have multiplied, bringing greater instability to the world economy. The LDCs are bearing the heaviest brunt of these multiple and overlapping crises. Excellencies, we have had a very rich discussion today which offered us important insights about the progress and challenges of the LDCs in all the priority areas of the Doha Programme of Action. We also heard about the need to further strengthen global partnership for supporting the LDCs. As we embark on the midterm review process, today's discussion has provided key lessons. We have clearly heard how building resilience makes better economic sense than undertaking a costly response to shocks or recovery following a crisis. Whether it is an extreme weather event diverting aid from development programs or fuel shortages and price surges constraining economic production. Then we have also heard how investments in transformative levers are critical to bringing about the urgently needed structural transformation, for example, in energy, digital, or transport infrastructure. And we have also heard how investing in human capital through education, skills development, and digital literacy is not a luxury but a necessity if we are to harness the huge potential of the demographic dividend in the LDCs. I will not dwell further on the rich discussions of today, as my office will circulate an official summary of the event capturing the key messages., which will constitute a core substantive contribution to the MTR process. Allow me to highlight some of the key elements and next steps in this process. We will be holding the Africa Regional Review Meeting in early September to take stock of the challenges and opportunities faced by the 33 African LDCs. We have already held a very successful review meeting of the Asia-Pacific region in March. At the LDC ministerial meeting during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UNGA, the LDC ministers will set their priorities for the midterm review. The co-facilitators of the preparatory committee will be appointed by the President of the General Assembly, expected to be done in September, to lead the intergovernmental consultations leading to the adoption of the MTAs. Outcome. We will also organize an ambassadors' retreat to hold focused discussions on the elements of the zero draft of the political declaration to be adopted in Doha next year. And finally, a two-day preparatory meeting will be convened by the President of the General Assembly no later than January 2027. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, allow me to conclude with three very brief messages as we embark on the Mid-term Review journey to Doha. First, the Mid-term Review process must be grounded in strong national ownership and leadership. I would like to thank all LDC delegations who have already submitted their national reports, and I would call upon the others to do so at the earliest. These reports will be critical in identifying gaps and charting practical solutions for the remaining period of the DPOA. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Resident Coordinators and the UN Country Teams and the UN System at large for their support and partnership on the ground in this regard. Secondly, it is imperative to secure an ambitious and transformative outcome of the MTR process. We need to renew and strengthen our commitment to LDCs to recover the lost ground of SDGs and Doha and DPOA implementation, and to further strengthen global partnership for the full and effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. And finally, it is critically important to ensure participation at the highest political level at the midterm review in Doha in March 2027. I would like to call upon you all to mobilize necessary necessary political support for the midterm review process and to ensure highest-level political participation in Doha. Excellencies, Ambassador Alia, dear colleagues, let us carry forward the momentum from today's meeting to a truly impactful midterm review in Doha. Let us work together to bring about transformative progress in the lives of the 1.1 billion people in the 44 LDCs, and you can count on the full support of my office to deliver on this shared agenda. I thank you.

I'd like to thank the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative, and what a perfect way to end this afternoon session with the Secretary-General of the Midterm Review and the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, Ayla Ahmed Safar. Khasani. So we thank both of you for your concluding remarks. This discussion of the Joint Assembly and— pardon me— this discussion of the Joint General Assembly and Economic and Social Council Special Thematic Event on the Mid-term Review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries is now concluded.