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 morning. Please take your seats. I call to order the Joint General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council special thematic event on the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries. I'm pleased to be here with the President, His Excellency Lok Bardua Tjapa, the President of the Economic and Social Council. Thank you for having this joint meeting today. As announced through our joint letters dated June 12th and June 22nd, 2026, This meeting is held pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 80/150 of December 15th, 2025, and aims to provide input to the comprehensive high-level midterm review. Before making my statement as a President of the General Assembly, I would like to raise the fact, as we are all in the middle of our own UNAD reform debate, that we really have to reconsider how to avoid a situation like this morning, that such an important topic mandated by the General Assembly in December does not receive the attention it deserves. So we really have to come back to the issue of parallel meetings and how many meetings we all can attend. I will now make a statement as a President of the General Assembly. Mr. President of the Economic and Social Council, Ms. Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the LDCs, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, dear colleagues. Least developed countries face deep structural vulnerabilities which they cannot overcome by themselves. They account for 13% of the world's population, yet only about 1.3% of global GDP. Over 510 million people in LDCs, or 42% of their populations, —people live in extreme poverty. And disaster-related mortality in LDCs is almost 3 times the global average. These are the types of challenges that the Doha Programme of Action was designed to address. Through it, member states committed to support the 44 least developed countries in building resilience, expanding productive capacity, and progressing towards sustainable development and graduating from LDC status. The upcoming midterm review in Doha next March is a critical opportunity to assess process and progress, renew political commitment, and address implementation gaps, agree on practical solutions for the second half of this decade of action, because delivering for LDCs is not an act of charity. It is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals we all agreed upon, strengthening shared prosperity and ensuring that no country or community is left behind. Because as we have seen in recent months, an economic shock or vulnerability in one part of the world echoes across all others.— and often hits LDCs the hardest. Just take the recent disruption in global energy markets, which have caused sharp increases in prices of fuel, transport and trade worldwide. Some countries could counter that with financial support to their citizens. Others couldn't. And the most vulnerable, they bear the greatest burden. For millions of people in LDCs, higher fuel prices means transportation is simply no longer affordable, meaning not being able to go to work. Disruption to supply chains and increased fertilizers cost further jeopardize their food security, meaning children are living in hunger again. And governments are forced to spend more money on import costs— leaving less for education, infrastructure, and social services, meaning less healthcare and less school opportunities for children. That is why today's focus on energy security for LDCs is so important. Even before recent shocks, only 60% of people living in LDCs had access to electricity. Most LDCs remain highly dependent on imported fossil fuels— leaving their economies vulnerable to price volatility and supply disruptions. Yet at the same time, many LDCs are placing renewable energy, electrification, and efficiency at the center of their national energy strategies and NDCs. This creates a tremendous opportunity. With scaled-up concessional finance, de-risked investment, and simplified access to climate finance, LDCs can leapfrog toward cleaner, more resilient, and more decentralized energy system. But this means that they have to have these opportunities. This has— means that we have to deliver on what we agreed upon, the Sevilla Compromise. For LDCs, affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy is about far more than keeping the lights on.. It is the foundation of structural transformation, productive capacity, and climate resilience. In short, energy security is sustainable development in practice. Ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellencies, LDCs cannot unlock their full development potential without stronger global partnership and commitment. Nor can the international community achieve the Sustainable Development Goals while LDCs are left behind. The upcoming midterm review is our opportunity to align the Doha Programme of Action with the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future, and the Sevilla Commitment. But above all, it's our opportunity to turn promises into implementation, to translate commitments into investments, to turn partnerships into measurable results, and to ensure that the second half of this decade of action delivers real progress for the 44 LDCs and above all for the hundreds of millions of people, for the millions of children whose future depend on our collective action. I thank you. I now invite His Excellency Lok Bahadur Chapa, President of the Economic and Social Council, to make a statement.

Your Excellency, President of the General Assembly, USTI High Representative, honorable ministers, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to welcome you to all to this important joint thematic event in preparation for the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, in March next year. The partnership between the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in convening this gathering underscores both the significance of this agenda and the urgency of addressing the development challenges facing the least developed countries. Throughout this cycle, Economic and Social Council has placed particular emphasis on the needs of the countries in special situations, including least developed countries, recognizing that progress towards sustainable development will ultimately be measured by our ability to support those facing the greatest challenges. Today's meeting reflects that commitment. Excellencies, the Mid-term Reviews come at a critical juncture, halfway through the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action Progress is too slow, too uneven, and too fragile. More than 510 million people in LDCs still live in extreme poverty. Economic recovery remains modest, far below the 7% annual target envisioned in the Doha Programme of Action. Social protections remain far too low. Fiscal space is tightening. Climate-related disasters continue to erode hard-won development gains. Digital and AI gaps continue to deepen, with almost 1 in 3 people in LDCs still offline. These figures illuminate not only the depth of the structural vulnerabilities, but also the urgency of renewed global solidarity and accelerated delivery across all 6 priority areas of the Doha Programme of Action. At the broader global landscape, in which the program is being implemented has become significantly more difficult. Official Development Assistance experienced its steepest decline on record in 2025. Debt pressures continue to rise for, for indirect investment to developing economies, particularly in the least developed countries remains under strain. Trade prospects in LDCs are deteriorating. Climate finance is also not keeping pace with the needs. These pressures are being compounded by new disruptions affecting energy trade and supply chain. Only last month, Economic and Social Council convened a special meeting on safeguarding energy and supply flows. The discussions highlighted a clear reality: the disruptions in energy markets, trade routes, and supply chains can rapidly become development shocks, particularly for the most vulnerable countries. Rising energy costs, increased transportation and production costs, place additional pressures on already constrained public finances, and can worsen debt vulnerabilities. Disruptions to fertilizer and food supply chains can further undermine food security and livelihoods in many least developed countries. For many least developed countries, these challenges are not isolated.— they reinforce one another, making it harder to invest in people, to build productive capacity, to strengthen resilience, and to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, ultimately making the path to graduation even more challenging, if not impossible. The midterm review, therefore, must be more than a stocktaking exercise. It must be an opportunity— opportunity to restore momentum, opportunity to strengthen partnership, and opportunity to mobilize concrete actions to accelerate implementation during the second half of the Doha Decade. Excellencies, this afternoon's thematic panel will focus on energy security. This is indeed a priority that sits at the intersection of the sustainable development, resilience, and economic transformations. Progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 remains off track in many least developed countries. Energy access is not only about powering homes and businesses. It is closely linked to economic diversification, resilience to external shocks, and the ability of the governments to deliver essential services and social protections. At the same time, international public financial flows for clean energy to LDCs declined in 2024, even as the need of the investment continues to grow. It is therefore imperative to scale up investment in renewable energy to strengthen the resilience of energy supply chain, to expand access to concessional finance, and ensure that LDCs are able to fully participate in and benefit from the global transitions to clean energy. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the people of the least developed countries have shown extraordinary resilience and determination in the face of repeated and overlapping crisis and challenges. Many of them have advanced reforms. They have strengthened social protections. They have invested in human capital. They have expanded digital connectivity over the years. They have nurtured youth entrepreneurship and innovations, and they have pursued greener and inclusive growth. The question before us, therefore, is whether the international community will show the same determination in delivering on its commitments. The Programme of Action was adopted at a time when there was hope, hope that recovery would accelerate and development gaps would narrow. Today, the outlook is more uncertain, but uncertainty cannot become an excuse for inaction. If anything, it should strengthen our resolve, the resolve to deliver on the commitments we have made to the least developed countries. Let it be clear, without the advancement of the least developed countries, we will be failing the very essence of our global pledge to leave no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the President of the Economic and Social Council. I give the floor to Ms. Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the LDCs, the LLDCs, and SIDS, and Secretary-General of the Midterm review.

Madam President of the General Assembly, Mr. President of the Economic and Social Council, honorable ministers Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, let me start by expressing my deepest appreciation to the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECOSOC for convening this important meeting and for reiterating their continued strong support and commitment to the LDCs. I thank Minister Jean Matanga of Malawi for her kind presence and leadership. I would also like to thank Minister Mariam bint Ali bin Nasir Al Misnad and the Government of Qatar for their steadfast commitment to supporting the LDCs and advancing the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. I also thank and commend the Chair of the LDC Group for his excellent stewardship. I have the honor to address this meeting in my dual capacity as a High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, and as Secretary-General of the Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, in March 2027. Excellencies, we meet at a moment of profound global uncertainty. The world today is markedly different than the one in which we adopted the Doha Programme of Action 4 years ago. Geopolitical tensions are deepening, conflicts are multiplying, climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, economic fragmentation is weakening growth impact prospects. For LDCs, these are not isolated shocks. They're overlapping and mutually reinforcing crises that continue to erode development gains, and constrained progress towards the SDGs. Against this backdrop, the midterm review provides an important opportunity to take stock of progress, identify gaps, and renew our collective commitment to accelerating implementation during the second half of the decade for the DPOA. Excellencies, 4 years into implementation, progress has been uneven. While there are some encouraging signs, for instance, a greater number of countries, 14 LDCs, are currently on the graduation pathway, and women's representation in national parliaments has reached 27.1%, matching the global average, the challenges yet remains, remains, and they remain formidable. More than 510 million million people in the LDCs continue to live in extreme poverty. Nearly 58% face moderate or severe food insecurity. Manufacturing value added remains stagnant at just 14% of GDP, reflecting persistent structural vulnerabilities. At the same time, development finance is under growing pressure. Debt burdens are rising and economic uncertainties continue to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable countries. With less than 5 years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, there is an urgent need to translate commitments into tangible results. Excellencies, allow me to highlight 5 priorities that are critical to guiding our collective efforts as we embark on on the midterm review process. Firstly, we must accelerate the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action with renewed urgency. The DPOA remains the most comprehensive global framework for supporting the sustainable development and graduation of the LDCs. The challenge before us is not one of vision, but of delivery. I'm pleased to report that implementation of the DPOA's flagship deliverables is advancing steadily. The feasibility study for the food stockholding mechanism has been completed and will be considered by the General Assembly later this year. Through another DPOA deliverable, the resilience building measures, targeted support is being provided for early warnings for all and national adaptation plans. To LDCs. The Multi-Stakeholder Task Force on the Online University, another important flagship deliverable, is examining institutional options with a soft launch envisaged at the midterm review. And through the Sustainable Graduation Support Facility, the iGrad, we are supporting countries in preparing and implementing smooth transition strategies and have recently completed Graduation Readiness Assessments for Bangladesh and Nepal. Progress is also being made towards operationalizing the International Investment Support Center to help mobilize investment in productive sectors. I wish to acknowledge here the steadfast commitment and partnership of the State of Qatar, whose support has been instrumental in advancing these initiatives. Second, we must place structural transformation and youth empowerment at the center of our efforts. Despite possessing significant natural resources, including critical minerals essential for the global green transition, nearly 70% of LDC exports remain concentrated in primary commodities and low value-added products. Achieving sustainable growth will require greater investment in productive capacities, technology, innovation, and value addition. Equally important is investment in people. LDCs are home to over 315 million young people between the ages of 10 and 24, and this demographic dividend can become a powerful engine of transformation if matched by quality education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and decent jobs. The fourth LDC Future Forum, which was held in Helsinki, Finland last month, underscored the urgency of aligning education systems with the evolving needs of the current world. Its message was clear: empowering young people is not only a social imperative, it is an economic necessity. I thank the Government of Finland for its partnership and solidarity with the LDCs. Third, energy security must remain a top development priority, and I thank both our presidents for keeping that as a priority discussion for the midterm review today. Access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy remains beyond the reach of millions in the LDCs. While global electricity access stands at nearly 90%, it remains just above 60% in LDCs and falls below 50% in rural communities. Energy insecurity remains— constrains industrialization, weakens food systems, limits access to health and education services, and undermines climate resilience. Accelerating investments therefore in renewable energy and strengthening energy infrastructure and access are therefore essential to achieving the objectives of the Doha Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda. Fourth, we must reinvigorate global partnerships for development, and Madam President, I thank you for reiterating that point. The financing landscape facing LDCs is becoming increasingly challenging. ODA to LDCs has fallen by close to 26% last year, the largest single-year decline in history. Debt levels have tripled since 2010, reaching nearly $586 billion, and FDI remains limited while growing trade restrictions threaten opportunities for integration into the global economy. Reversing these trends will require stronger political commitment, renewed international solidarity, and enhanced— and enhanced cooperation to deliver on the financing, trade, investment, and debt sustainability commitments of the Doha Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda. In an increasingly fragmented world, partnerships matter more than ever. And finally, Presidents, we must ensure that graduation becomes a milestone for sustainable development. Since the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action, two countries have graduated, Bhutan and São Tomé and Príncipe, and a record 14 more are on the graduation pathway. These achievements deserve recognition. Yet graduation should be a reward for progress, not a source of new vulnerabilities. This is why the ongoing work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the smooth transition is so important, and I would like to commend the co-chairs, the Permanent Representatives of Angola and Finland, for their leadership and encourage all member states to support a strengthened and more predictable transition framework. At the same time, we must not lose sight of those countries that remain furthest behind. 17 LDCs have yet to meet a single graduation criteria, many of them affected by conflict and post-conflict challenges, and they require sustained, tailored, and coordinated international support. My office, OHRLLS, is developing dedicated support through iGrad and preparing UN system-wide operational guidelines for countries in conflict and post-conflict situation as mandated by the Doha Programme of Action. Excellencies, the midterm review in Doha next March offers a critical opportunity to renew global commitment to the world's most vulnerable countries. Preparations are progressing well. Nearly 30 LDCs have already submitted their national reports. The Asia-Pacific Regional Review meeting has been successfully concluded and preparations are underway for the Africa Regional Review. These processes will help shape an ambitious and action-oriented outcome in Doha. I therefore call upon all member states and partners to engage actively in the preparatory process and to participate in the midterm review at the highest political level. Let us seize this opportunity, Excellencies, to strengthen partnerships, accelerate implementation, and reaffirm our collective commitment to ensuring that the 1.2 billion people living in the LDCs are not left behind. I thank you.

I thank the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, and Secretary-General of the Midterm Review, for her comprehensive presentation. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Jean Matanga, Minister of Energy Affairs of Malawi, on behalf of the LDCs.

Group.

Your Excellency, Miss Annalena Baeböck, President of the General Assembly. Your Excellency, Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the Economic and Social Council. Miss Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for LDCs. LLDCs and SIDs, and Secretary General of the MTR. Your Excellency, Ms. Maryam Al Misnat, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the State of Qatar. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries. I express appreciation to the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECOSOC for convening this important meeting and acknowledge the tireless leadership of Under-Secretary-General Fatima and OHRLS in advancing implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. We also deeply appreciate The inspiring statements delivered at the opening session are those that have spoken before me. Excellencies, we meet at a critical moment, the moment at which the Doha Programme of Action charts a comprehensive pathway towards structural transformation, resilience, and sustainable Graduation. 4 years into implementation, the urgency of delivery has never been greater. While some progress has been recorded, too many targets remain stagnant or are moving in the wrong direction. Structural transformation remains slow, with LDC economies still heavily dependent on agriculture and low productivity informal sectors. High informality, weak institutions, limited fiscal space, and persistent gaps in science, technology, and innovation continue to constrain inclusive growth. LDCs Africa remains on the frontline of climate change, bearing disproportionate impacts despite minimal contributions to global emissions. With less than 5 years remaining to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, Madam President, we must urgently accelerate implementation, especially where it matters most. Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, allow me at this point to highlight 5 key priorities. First, the 5 flagship deliverables of the DPOA must be fully operationalized without delay. We commend OHRLS for its dedicated efforts to conceptualize, develop feasibility studies, and advance preparatory work on the deliverables which directly address the most pressing challenges facing our countries. The Food Stocking Mechanism will strengthen food security and resilience, which is critical when 57.8% of the LDC population faces food insecurity, nearly double the global average. On the online university for LDCs, this will expand access to quality higher education and STEM for our 315 million young people aged 10 2024. Resilience building measures will protect communities from intensifying climate shocks. The International Investment Support Center will catalyze productive and diversified investment. And IGRAD is delivering critical tailored support to graduating and recently graduated countries. We deeply appreciate Qatar for its steadfast support to the implementation of the DPOA. We call on all development partners to provide the financial and political support required to bring this to full operationalization. Secondly, the Doha Programme of Action's global partnership targets must be fulfilled and not eroded. The DPOA sets a clear ODA target of 0.2% of donor GNI for LDCs. For years, actual flows hovered at a mere 0.09%, and that's already a fraction of the commitment. In 2025, ODA fell by a further 25.8%, and we express our gravest concern and call for an immediate reversal of this trend. The debt situation is equally alarming. The total external debt stock of LDCs has surged to US$586 billion, which is 38.7% of gross national income. This is consuming a rising share —of export earnings and public revenues, and leaving governments with virtually no fiscal space for health, education, energy, or social protection. Debt restructuring, relief, and broad reform of the international financial architecture are urgently needed. FDI into LDCs remains negligible at barely 2% of global flows, overwhelmingly concentrated in extractive industries with minimal spillovers into value addition, employment, or technology transfer. Progress on trade is equally disappointing. The rules-based multilateral trading system is challenged. Access to climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building also falls far from commitments. Fulfilling the DPOA's partnership targets is not optional. It is the core of the compact the international community committed to in Doha. Thirdly, graduation is a milestone, but the support architecture must be urgently upgraded. 8 countries have graduated from the LDC category and 14 are in the pipeline. The DPOA targets 15 graduations by 2031, and each represents a genuine achievement. But graduation does not resolve deep structural vulnerabilities. Graduating countries continue to face serious challenges as LDC-specific support measures are phased out. The current smooth transition framework was adopted 13 years ago. The world has changed profoundly since then, and the framework must be comprehensively updated to provide greater clarity, predictability, and a robust incentive-based architecture. We, We deeply value the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group. We look to the Ad Hoc Working Group to deliver a new package of incentives and a strengthened support architecture for graduating and graduated countries, ensuring that the graduation is sustainable and irreversible. Fourth, the UN system must step up, and OHRLS must be empowered to lead. The Doha Programme of Action explicitly calls on the UN system and international organizations to provide coherent, coordinated, and strengthened support to AoDCs across all 6 priority areas.. We call for a substantial increase in core, predictable, and flexible funding for the UN development system. The UN aid process is of critical importance for LDCs. We have made our positions clear, and any reform must be member-state-led. Transparent and inclusive, with LDC needs at its center. OHRLS provides indispensable system-wide coordination of DPOA implementation and must be strengthened in capacity, resources, and convening authority to deliver the coherent and enhanced support our countries require. Finally, the Mid-term Review must deliver and be attended at the highest political level. The MTR in Doha in March 2027 is the most important event of this decade for LDCs. It provides an opportunity not merely to assess progress, but to course correct and review concrete action-oriented commitments. I commend OHRLLS for the comprehensive preparations underway. We call on all member states to attend at the highest political level and come up with targeted and time-bound commitments that deliver transformative change for 44 AoDCs. We, with renewed commitment, strengthened partnerships, and decisive action, we can and must deliver. The group remains fully committed to this cause. Your Excellencies, Madam President, distinguished delegates, allow me now to speak in my national capacity representing the government of Malawi. Madam President, For Malawi, achieving sustainable and irreversible graduation will require strengthened productive capacities, economic diversification, greater resilience, and enhanced support from the international community. However, Malawi continues to face significant development challenges.— just like other countries, the AODCs. And these include climate vulnerability, limited fiscal space, and constrained access to affordable financing. The impacts of climate-induced disasters and other external shocks have repeatedly reversed development gains and highlighted the urgent need for scaled-up climate finance, adaptation support, and resilience-building measures. At the same time, investments in human capital, quality education, healthcare, energy access, and water security remain critical to eradicating poverty and promoting inclusive growth. Guided by Malawi 2063, our long-term development vision, and through the dynamic leadership of the State President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, and his administration, we are advancing reforms and investments that align closely with the priorities of the Doha Programme of Action. We are prioritizing energy security, agricultural productivity and commercialization, industrialization, urbanization, digital transformation, science, technology, and innovation, and climate resilience as key drivers of structural transformation. These efforts are aimed at creating jobs, expanding opportunities for our young population, and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy. We, therefore, call for increased official development assistance, improved access to concessional finance, greater investment in productive sectors, enhanced technology transfer, and strengthened support for climate action. Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I thank you for your attention.

I thank Her Excellency the Minister of Energy Affairs of Malawi. I now invite the Assembly to view a pre-recorded video by Her Excellency Maryam Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation of Qatar, host country of the Doha Midterm Review.

Your Excellencies, I'm pleased to welcome you to our meeting today, which is being held at an important juncture for the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs 2022-2031. It provides an opportunity to assess the progress achieved since its adoption, identify priorities for the next phase and strengthen international momentum in support of the LDCs, the State of Qatar had the honor of hosting the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which marked a pivotal milestone in international efforts to support this group of countries. The joint efforts of the State of Qatar, the United Nations, and international partners resulted in the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries 2022-2031 as an agreed roadmap for promoting sustainable development, building capacities, and addressing the challenges they face during the current decade. Since the adoption of the program, the State of Qatar has continued to translate pledges into tangible results. This commitment was demonstrated through the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, of a financial contribution of $60 million to support the implementation of the Doha Program of Action. The State of Qatar has also translated this pledge into concrete partnerships, most recently through the signing by the Qatar Fund for Development in September 2025 of two agreements with the Office of the High Representative for the LDCs worth $21 million. These agreements support resilience building and the establishment of a regional and sub-regional food storage mechanism, thereby contributing to enhancing food security and crisis response. Your Excellencies, building on this commitment, the State of Qatar looks forward to hosting the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review from the 25th to 27th of March, 2027. Excellencies, in conclusion, we look forward to listening to your views and proposals, which will enrich the preparatory work for the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review. We also look forward to welcoming you Welcoming you to Doha next year, we trust that our meeting will be an important opportunity to renew international commitment and strengthen partnerships for the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. The State of Qatar will continue to be an active partner in supporting international development and strengthening multilateral action.

I thank Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Cooperation of Qatar. We've heard the last speaker for the opening segment. I would like to express my appreciation to our distinguished speakers for their contributions. I now hand over presiding to His Excellency Lok Bahadur Chopra, President of the Economic and Social Council.

Thank you, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. We will now begin the plenary segment. And to allow maximum participation, all members are requested to limit their interventions to 5 minutes when speaking on behalf of the group and 3 minutes when speaking on their national capacity. Time limits will be strictly enforced through an automatic microphone cutoff. To assist speakers with the time management, a timer will be projected on the screens. I thank you for your cooperation. With this, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor of delivering the statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states. I would like to start by welcoming the convening of this joint General Assembly-ECCOSOC special thematic event, and we thank the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECCOSOC for organizing this important meeting. The Doha Programme of Action remains a central framework for the United Nations and the international community in addressing the structural vulnerabilities of least developed countries. At its midpoint, we must take stock with honesty and ambition. We must recognize where progress has been made, identify where implementation is lagging, and strengthen the partnerships needed to deliver. The European Union and its member states remain steadfast partners of LDCs. We remain committed to supporting them across the range of challenges. We are here today to listen to you and to express our longstanding and continuing support. The international context remains extremely challenging. Climate change, disasters, conflict, and food insecurity, compounded by global economic uncertainty, continue to undermine development gains. These challenges are interconnected and require practical, coordinated, and long-term responses, which is why our partnership with LDCs increase— is increasingly focused on implementation, investments, and impact. Public resources, including ODA, remain essential, especially to support the most vulnerable. The EU is the largest provider of ODA, representing 49.6% of all ODA. This was 86.5 billion in 2025. Yet we know that these resources are limited and under immense strain. We must continue prioritizing LDCs, especially those furthest behind and in fragile contexts. We must protect country programmable aid and essential basic services. And whenever there's an opportunity to do so, ODA must be used strategically and catalytically in ways that help partner countries mobilize further investment, strengthen institutions, create jobs, and build long-term resilience. This is the approach underpinning the European Union's Global Gateway strategy. Through the Global Gateway, the EU is working with partner countries to mobilize sustainable and high-quality investments that respond to national priorities and deliver lasting results. Global Gateway is not only an investment strategy, it's a partnership offer. To close infrastructure gaps, improve connectivity, strengthen regional integration, diversify economies, and create opportunities including for young people and women. It contributes directly to the objectives of the DPOA: structural transformation, resilience, inclusive growth, productive capacity, and integration into the global economy. And it does so in the European way, through sustainability, transparency, high standards, local value addition, and a 360 approach that brings together public finance, private investment, development finance institutions, civil society, and partner country priorities. The EU is already supporting concrete investments in LDCs. I will cite just a few examples. In Africa, the €150 billion EU-Africa Global Gateway investment package supports green and digital transitions, sustainable growth and jobs, health systems, and education and training. We also support connectivity and regional integration, energy access and resilience, digital connectivity, water-climate resilience and basic services, health systems, education, skills, and jobs projects in numerous LDCs. Team Europe hopes to work further with the LDCs to leverage many much— many more such initiatives and showcase them at the midterm review. Ladies and gentlemen, this brings me to the point. The midterm review in Doha must be action-oriented. We see the midterm review as part of a broader international moment. Across the UN Aid Reform Process, the G7, the OECD DAC review, and other international discussions, there is a growing recognition that development cooperation must become more effective, less fragmented, more catalytic, and more considerate of the priorities of partner countries. We need to ensure that specific challenges of LDCs, including not only the challenging environment but their specific context, are properly factored into our response. As we prepare for Doha, our collective response must focus on impact, and we must have a stronger focus on the most vulnerable and the LDCs. Madam President, Mr. President, I would like to I would like to close by reiterating the EU's commitment to engage and to listen and to take targeted action. And I would also like to wish everyone a very nice International Day of Women in Diplomacy. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of European Union speaking on behalf of the EU and its member states. Now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Laos, PDR.

Madam President of the General Assembly, Mr. President of ECOSOC, Excellencies, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by distinguished Mr. Minister of Malawi, on behalf of the group of LDCs, and would like to welcome the convening of this joint special event to review progress and identify challenges in implementing the Doha Programme of Action. For the Lao PDR, the review of the DPOA implementation comes at a particular significant moment as our country will graduate from the LDC category later this While this milestone reflects years of progress in our national development, it also coincides with mounting macroeconomic pressures, climate vulnerabilities, and an increasingly uncertain global environment. Ensuring that graduation is smooth, sustainable, and irreversible therefore remains our overriding priority. Throughout the years, the DPOA has been fully integrated into our national socioeconomic development plans and financing strategies aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Drawing from our national report, the LAPPDR has recorded important achievements across the DPOA's 6 priority areas, such as expanded access to education, healthcare, and social protection, strengthened investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, for economic opportunities and regional integration, and adoption of comprehensive frameworks on climate action and disaster management. At the same time, significant challenges remain in terms of constrained human capital development, undiversified economy, persistent digital divides, limited investment in S&T and innovation, and growing impacts of climate change. In this regard, international partnerships and support are indispensable, including ODA, climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. Looking ahead, the Lao PDR will continue to prioritize investments in people, accelerate economic diversification and private sector development, strengthen macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen data systems. We are committed to working close— in close collaboration with all partners for successful transition beyond NDC status. In closing, the DPOA remains an essential framework. Its successful implementation will require renewed international commitment, stronger partnerships, and concrete actions that respond to the evolving realities faced by LDCs. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Lao PDR, and now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Russian Federation.

President of ECOSOC, Madam High Representative, distinguished colleagues, we are grateful for this meeting being held today. The Russian Federation is committed to the provisions of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, the LDCs. We stand ready to actively partake in the implementation review scheduled for March of next year. We believe that the priority is not just countries graduating from their LDC status. What we need is for this transition to be irreversible and sustainable. Graduating states should not have to face the risks of a middle-income trap where structural problems remain as well as vulnerability to crises. This process should be meticulously prepared to ensure there is no rollback in development. Therefore, we need to craft realistic national smooth transition strategies. They should entail the development of productive capacity, export diversification, the digital transformation, as well as investment in human capital. We believe that the UN could play a more active role in in assisting states as they develop such strategies at their request. What's also important is monitoring the socio-economic situation once these countries graduate from their LDC status. At the same time, we believe it's unacceptable to politicize international cooperation on development assistance. We reiterate the illegal nature of unilateral sanctions and other coercive measures which are at odds with international law and the UN Charter. Such measures hold back socioeconomic development and hamper the growth of the prosperity of the people living in these countries. By way of conclusion, we'd like to underscore that the Russian Federation continues to provide support to the LDCs on both a bilateral and multilateral basis. We are in favor of international efforts in the interest of LDCs being strengthened. We believe that international cooperation should be aimed at bolstering the capacity and potential of LDCs, technology transfer, and an expansion of aid programs, including as part of trilateral and South-South cooperation. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Russian Federation. Now I give the floor to the permanent representative of Ethiopia.

Thank you, Mr. President, Madam Under-Secretary-General, Excellencies. My delegation expresses its appreciation to the President of the General Assembly and the President of ECOSOC for organizing this thematic event. The upcoming 2027 midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action, following the national reports and regional reviews, will be an important milestone for LDCs. My delegation believes that the review will serve as a basis for tracking achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and for identifying areas where further support and actions are needed by the LDCs. Mr. President, Ethiopia demonstrated its commitment to the implementation of the Doha Plan of Action by mainstreaming it into our national development architecture, particularly the 10-year National Development Plan 2021-2030. We have strengthened human capital development through expanded access to education, health and social protection services. Our effort for advancing science and technology is reflected in investment in innovation such as the 7 Million Coders Project, e-government, and digital public service. Ethiopia has revamped its efforts to diversify exports, improve trade logistics, and deepen regional integration, including effective participation in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. Ethiopia is deliberately pursuing agricultural modernization, sustainable urbanization, digitalization, and MSME development as engines of inclusive growth and job creation. Furthermore, Ethiopia has strengthened resilience to climate change and external shocks through major climate action such as our Green Legacy Initiative, climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy expansion, environmental protection, and disaster risk management, while supporting sustainable development pathways. Mr. President, despite remarkable achievements, we still face formidable development challenges exacerbated by the debt burden, climate crisis, ever-growing technological divide, and limited access to development finance. Addressing this global challenge requires strengthened multilateral cooperation. National efforts alone cannot fully address this challenge. Finally, my delegation once again reaffirms Ethiopia's commitment to the implementation of the Doha Plan of Action and the SDGs. I thank you, Mr.

President. I thank the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia. Now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Angola. Mr.

President, Excellencies, Angola welcomes the convening of this special thematic event as an important milestone in the preparation of the High-Level Mid-term Review of the Doha Programme of Action . This meeting provides a timely opportunity to assess progress in implementing the DPOA against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global development landscape, identify persistent challenges, and strengthen the political momentum needed to advance its objectives. As part of our preparation, Angola completed and submitted its National Report on the Implementation of the DPOA. This exercise highlighted tangible progress in expanding social protection, investing in productive sectors and infrastructure, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing economic diversification, particularly to create opportunities for young people. At the same time, our experience underscores the significant obstacles that continue to constrain progress. Energy insecurity, structural vulnerabilities, commodity dependence, mounting debt burdens, and the infrastructure deficit remain major impediments to sustainable development. These challenges are further compounded by growing impacts of climate change and disaster risks, which disproportionately affect the least developed countries and threaten hard-won development gains. These realities reaffirm that while national ownership remains fundamental, implementation of the DPOA requires strengthened international support and solidarity. Delivering on its commitments is a shared responsibility. In this regard, Angola highlights three priorities: first, enhancing access to predictable and adequate financing, including concessional resources and climate finance; second, addressing debt vulnerabilities in a manner that preserves fiscal space for sustainable development and resilience building; and third, investing in productive capacities, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable energy systems while a essential foundation for inclusive growth and structural transformation. As we look ahead of— to the midterm review in 2027, we must use this opportunity to take stock of progress, address implementation gaps, and build renewed consensus around concrete commitments and deliverables that accelerate the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Angola. Now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Algeria.

President, Algeria aligned itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. As we approach the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action, we must recognize a sobering reality: the least developed countries continue to face mounting Challenges—rising debt burdens, declining official development assistance, persistent energy insecurity, climate-related challenges, and structural risk factors—continue to constrain their path toward sustainable development. President, Algeria remains firmly committed to supporting the special needs of and priorities of LDCs. The Doha Programme of Action provides a comprehensive framework to address the root causes hindering their development. However, this programme can only deliver if all its commitments are met by the international community. In this regard, we are particularly concerned by the sharp decline of development financing at the time when LDCs require increasing resources to invest in productive capacity, resilient infrastructure, food insecurity, job creation, especially for the youth, and social protection systems. We would like to emphasize the two following priorities. First, international institutions should increase their responsiveness to address the reality of vulnerable countries. These include debt relief measures, enhanced access to concessional finance, and the fair international financing infrastructure. Second, energy security remains a cornerstone of resilience and structural transformation. We support efforts to expand universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy through national determined pathway that reflect the development priority of each country. And finally, as we prepare for the Doha Midterm Review, Algeria calls for renewed solidarity, renewed solidarity, strengthening multilateral cooperation and concrete— finally concrete action. I thank you.

I thank the permanent representative of Algeria. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan.

Mr. President, Excellencies. At the outset, Sudan expresses its gratitude for convening this important meeting and commends the Office of the High Representative and the government of Qatar for their efforts and steadfast leadership in driving the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. Excellencies, for Sudan, the Programme is not merely a political framework; it is a lifeline. As we are approaching the midterm review, my country confronts the compounded impact of the war. Mass displacement, deepening food insecurity, intensifying climate shocks, and collapsed physical space reversing years of hard-won development gains and make it hard to be regained. Moreover, The war has disrupted power systems, deepening our exposure to volatile energy. We therefore welcome this afternoon discussion on energy security and stress that for war-affected countries, reliable energy access is inseparable from humanitarian response. Excellencies, Sudan attached particular value to several flagship deliverables: the Food Stockholder Mechanism, which will provide an essential buffer against shortage for a population already facing severe food insecurity. The online university holds real promise for Sudan, where our universities have shown resilience, sustaining studies online throughout the war, even as connectivity remains a serious constraint. Therefore, those deliverables are equally critical to enable Sudan's eventual recovery and long-term structural transformation. Yes, we might not be able to graduate in the short term, but we need to lay the foundation for. Excellencies, the further decline on the ODA combined with the rising debit burden severely constrict the physical space required for energy access, climate resilience, and social cohesion. For nations like Sudan, where humanitarian development and peacebuilding needs are interlinked, a predictable, sustained, and a war-sensitive financing is essential to translate the program commitment into tangible protection for our people. To conclude, as we looking forward to the high-level midterm review, Sudan reaffirmed the importance of a renewed global solidarity, sustained political attention to countries facing special situation, particularly war and displacement, beside a concrete, fully funded commitment that truly leaves no one behind. In conclusion, Sudan is ready to deliver and collaborate accordingly. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sudan. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Kingdom.

Thank you, Mr. President. The United Kingdom values our longstanding partnership with least developed countries. We welcome this focus on what has been achieved since the Doha Programme of Action was agreed in 2023. The UK is adapting our approach to development as a partner, investor, and reformer. We remain committed to addressing shared global challenges while responding to the specific and structural vulnerabilities of LDCs. One recent example of this commitment is British Investment International's announcement to allocate at least 25% of its new core investments to LDCs while deepening engagement in focus countries including Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Zambia through an integrated approach that combines investment with policy engagement and technical assistance. The UK also continues our commitment under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme for LDCs who are graduating under this scheme. Countries graduating from LDC status continue to benefit from duty-free, quota-free access for all products except arms and ammunition for a 3-year transition period, supporting business continuity and a smooth graduation process. The Comprehensive Preferences Scheme also provides simplified and generous rules of origin, including a a single transformation requirement for textiles and clothing, reduced local value-added thresholds for other products, and extended accumulation provisions, making it easier for LDCs to benefit in practice from trade preferences. Following this transition period, economically vulnerable low-income and lower-middle-income countries are eligible to move to the Enhanced Preferences scheme, which provides zero tariffs on 92% of tariff lines and more flexible origin requirements. From the beginning of this year, Enhanced Preferences countries are also no longer subject to double transformation requirements for textiles and clothing, further supporting graduating LDCs as they transition through preference tiers of the developing country's trading scheme. So with that, the UK stands ready to work with you all to make the most of the opportunities ahead, and we look forward to the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of United Kingdom. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative Of Nepal.

Presidents of General Assembly and ECOSOC, Madam Under-Secretary-General, Excellencies. Nepal aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of LDC Group and wishes to add the following in its national capacity. Nepal commends the Presidents of General Assembly and ECOSOC for convening this timely meeting on DPUA midterm review. Thank you, President. The Doha Programme of Action was adopted at a time when LDCs were confronting an unprecedented convergence of crises. Four years later, many of those constraining shocks—geopolitical tensions, climate disasters, rising debt burdens, shrinking fiscal space, supply chain disruptions, food and energy insecurity, and capacity gaps—have not diminished but intensified at scale. For a landlocked, mountainous, and climate-vulnerable country like Nepal, the challenges are particularly acute. While Nepal has technically met graduation threshold, several macroeconomic, ecological, and external vulnerabilities risk undermining our national capacity to sustain progress, withstand shocks, and avoid reversal of hard-won development gains. In this light, Nepal has formally requested a 3-year extension of its graduation timeline until November 2029. This additional period is essential to consolidate reforms, strengthen productive capacities, and enhance our resilience against climate and external shocks, while ensuring a smooth, irreversible, and sustainable graduation. We echo the Secretary-General's call that graduation must be a reward, not a punishment. President, allow me to highlight 5 key messages. First, deliver on commitments for development cooperation, concessional finance, debt sustainability. Without adequate fiscal space, LDCs cannot invest in people, productive capacities, infrastructure, and resilience. Second, extend international support measures for graduating LDCs throughout the preparatory and post-graduation period. Graduation must be a bridge to sustain peace and prosperity, not a cliff edge. Third, scale up accessible Climate finance, technology transfer, and disaster resilience support. LDCs contribute the least to global emissions and suffer the most from climate-induced losses and disasters. Enhanced technology transfer helps LDCs transform vulnerability into opportunity and dependency into self-reliance. Fourth, invest in productive capacities, economic diversification, and digital transformation. Structural transformation is the most effective way to strengthen resilience to external shocks. Create decent jobs, and support inclusive development. Finally, reinforce global soil diversity and partnership to achieve Agenda 2030 and DPA priorities. This requires a stronger political will, shared responsibility, and translating commitments into concrete support aligned with LDCs' development needs and national context. In closing, President, for LDCs, the Doha Programme of Action represents a blueprint for building resilience, overcoming structural vulnerabilities, accelerating sustainable development, and ensuring Sustainable graduation. Nepal stands committed to working with all—

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Thank you very much, President. Mexico is grateful for this opportunity to participate in this midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action. This exercise should focus on efforts in identifying with greater clarity the obstacles that have limited its implementation and make the necessary adjustments to achieve more efficient results in the remainder of the decade. For Mexico, the Doha Programme of Action is the multilateral framework to address the structural vulnerabilities of the least developed countries. However, its implementation is facing a particularly adverse international situation today. There are multiple crises growing pressures in the fiscal area, high levels of debt, fragility of infrastructure, energy insecurity, and a reduction in official assistance development flows. In that context, the main challenge is not just the lack of resources or their insufficiency, but the need to have more powerful support mechanisms that are predictable and adaptable adaptable to national realities. And that is why the implementation of the program requires better coordination between various international support mechanisms, avoiding institutional fragmentation and promoting more— well, closer cooperation between the United Nations, international financial institutions, and development partners. We also believe it's fundamental to more consistently include the aspect of structural vulnerability in the international support architecture for least developed countries. Defining international answers should not just be based on income indicators. Other factors such as resilience, economic resilience, climate exposure and commodities and institutional capacity and vulnerabilities are also factors that should be taken into account. In this regard, current discussions on financing for development offer us an opportunity to strengthen international support for the LDCs and better respond to their needs and specific vulnerabilities. Given the weakening of ODA and the hardening of fiscal restrictions and the growing debt burden, it's indispensable that we strengthen access to predictable concessional funding as well as improving national capacities to mobilize resources and speed up climate funding and have access to innovative funding mechanisms. With regard to 2027, we feel that we should concentrate on the— providing better support that is more results-oriented. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico. Now I give the floor to the permanent representative of Bangladesh.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank you and also the President of the General Assembly for convening this event on the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action. Bangladesh aligns itself with the statement delivered by the LDC group at the opening segment. For the LDCs, the DPOA remains our collective blueprint for resilience and structural transformation. While there has been some progress, we face multiple challenges in implementation. Climate shocks, debt distress, and energy insecurity are slowing our hard-earned development gains across the LDCs. The Mid-term Review next March offers an opportunity to take stock and make the necessary course corrections. We value Qatar's generous support for the LDCs' cause and greatly appreciate its hosting of the review. Ahead of the MTR, we would like to underline a few priorities. First, financing for development is a shared investment. ODA commitments, especially for the LDCs, must be met. Concessional finance and meaningful debt solutions must be ensured, and LDC-specific commitments from SEVIA must translate into implementation. Second, UN system support for the LDCs and the graduating LDCs must be safeguarded. Reform under UNAT should strengthen delivery preserve mandates, and avoid disruptions to offices that support LDCs. Third, graduating LDCs need tailored support to assess readiness and plan smooth transition. The recent assessment of the OHRSS helped Bangladesh determine its graduation readiness. Following this, we sought extension of the support of the preparatory period for staggered and gradual absorption of shocks that are likely to follow after the withdrawal of support measures. Mainstreaming such assessments may help benefit other graduating LDCs. Finally, Mr. President, the Doha Mid-term Review should help countries to identify obstacles in implementation of the Programme of Action. It should strengthen global political commitment for continued and predictable support measures that respond to evolving challenges of our times. Above all, it should help make the DPOA a true vehicle for graduation and for sustaining the progress beyond it. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, and now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso.

Mr. President, Excellencies, I would like to extend to you our sincere thanks for organizing this important meeting. Mr. President, this midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action is taking place at a time when the least developed countries are facing multiple multifaceted challenges including security, climate, and energy. Unprecedented. This situation calls upon us to act collectively because the commitments made in Doha must be translated into concrete actions that are capable of sustainably improving the living conditions of our peoples. Despite a national context, marked by terrorist attacks and the resulting humanitarian challenges, Burkina Faso remains firmly committed to implementing the Doha Programme of Action through its various national development frameworks. Mr. President, the significant results achieved in the areas of human capital development and poverty reduction demonstrate the priority given by the authorities to protecting the most vulnerable populations. Thus, more than 5.8 million vulnerable people have received food assistance and over 1 million internally displaced people were able to return to their communities. Families regaining hope, children returning to school, and communities gradually resuming normal life after given these figures. With regard to science, technology, and innovation, the sustained efforts of the government and its partners have made it possible to achieve a mobile internet access rate of 83% and a national fiber optic network spanning 11,000 kilometers. Concerning the structural change in our economy, our country continues to demonstrate its resilience by recording economic growth of 5.3% in 2025 despite multiple shocks. With regard to international partners for development, Burkina Faso has made significant efforts to mobilize resources and also through the Patriotic Fund, Burkina Faso has been able to mobilize more than $7.3 million for 2023-2024. Mr. President, Burkina Faso's experience shows that LDCs can provide innovative solutions and have an amazing resilience. These countries should benefit from a stronger, fairer, and more supportive global partnership supporting their vision and respecting their priorities. This is why Burkina Faso calls for the fulfillment of international commitments on ODA.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso. Now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Cambodia.

Mr. President, Cambodia commends the Madam President of PGA and Mr. President of the AKSTOC for timely convening these important meetings. Cambodia also aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Minister of Energy Affairs of Malawi on behalf of the Least Developed Countries countries and wishes to comment a few points of its own. In the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action comes at a critical time. While any LDCs, including Cambodia, have made significant progress, our efforts continue to be challenged by economic uncertainties, climate change, geopolitical tensions, and other external shocks. Cambodia remains fully committed to implementing the DPOA and achieving a smooth and sustainable graduation from LDC status in December 2029. Steady progress has been made in poverty reduction, human development, economic diversification, trade integrations, and digital transformations. To support irreversible and sustainable transitions, the Royal Government of Cambodia has established a National Committee for Cambodia's LDC Graduation to oversee the development and implementation of the smooth transition strategies. These efforts are guided by the Pentagonal Strategies Phase 1, Cambodia's overarching national development framework. Mr. President, in demonstrating its commitment to the LDC agenda, Cambodia hosted the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Midterm Review of the DPOA in Phnom Penh early this year, which strengthened regional cooperation and contributed practical recommendations to this global review. However, persistent global uncertainties highlighted the continued vulnerabilities of LDCs and the need for sustainable international support. Cambodia should mark lasting progress, not creating new challenges. Cambodia therefore calls for renewed global solidarity stronger partnerships, particularly in financing for development, technology transfers, capacity building, climate change resilience, and smooth transition support. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Cambodia. Now I give the floor I now turn over to the distinguished representative of Cuba. Mr.

President, we're very grateful that this event has been convened between ECOSOC and the General Assembly to examine progress made in implementing the Doha Programme of Action to benefit the LDCs. Cuba reiterates our firm solidarity with least developed countries that continue to face structural challenges made worse by the various crises that are affecting the world at the moment. At the midterm review of the implementation of Doha, it's clear that the progress achieved is far from corresponding to the magnitude of the problems recognized by the international community. There are still high levels of poverty. Poverty and food insecurity, debt, and limitations on accessing technology and financing and productive capacity. At the same time, the least developed countries continue to face growing inequality, restrictive measures that affect trade, for example, and lack of access to markets, as well as an international financial architecture that doesn't adequately address their development needs. The effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action requires specific actions that are urgent. It's indispensable that we meet the ODA commitments and facilitate financial concessional funding and strengthen sustainability— the sustainability of debt mechanisms. It's also essential to promote the transfer of technology and ensure more just inclusive participation for for developing countries in global economic governance. Cuba also believes it's necessary to eliminate all obstacles, including the unilateral coercive measures that seriously affect national capacities of those countries to achieve the SDGs. We reaffirm at the same time our commitment to South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation as a— not a substitute for, but additionally to north-south cooperation. International solidarity should always be a guiding principle of our collective efforts. The midterm review should serve to renew political willingness and speed up the implementation of the commitments agreed to in Doha. The least developed countries don't need new promises. What they need is concrete action, adequate resources, and a more fair, favorable international environment for their development. I thank you. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. Now I give the floor to the permanent representative of Gambia.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. The Gambia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Malawi on behalf of the LDCs. We welcome the convening of this special thematic event as an important milestone in preparation for the comprehensive midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action in 2027. The review provides an opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps, constraints, and agree on actions needed to accelerate delivery during the remainder of the decade. Four years after the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action, many LDCs continue to face persistent challenges that are impeding progress towards its objectives: debt distresses, shrinking fiscal space, Declining official development assistance, climate-related shocks, food and energy insecurity, and commodity price volatility continue to undermine development gains and limit the capacities of many LDCs to invest in sustainable development. As a result, progress towards the objectives of the Doha Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals remains uneven and in many areas off track. For The Gambia, the Doha Programme of Action remains an essential framework for advancing sustainable development, strengthening resilience, and supporting structural transformation. We continue to pursue efforts aimed at diversifying our economy, strengthening human capital, and laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth. However, domestic efforts alone are not enough. Continued international support, including through enhanced access to finance, technology, and capacity building, remain essential to enabling the LDCs to achieve the objectives of the Programme of Action on Advanced Sustainable Development Goals. Against this backdrop, it is important that the Mid-term Review remain focused on delivering practical responses to the challenges confronting LDCs and on strengthening the means of implementation necessary to support sustainable development and structural transformation. The value of the review process will ultimately be measured by its ability to generate renewed momentum for the implementation of and deliver meaningful outcomes for LDCs. This requires moving beyond the reaffirmation of existing commitments towards concrete action that address the challenges confronting LDCs and support their efforts to strengthen productive capacities and advance sustainable development. As preparations advance, The Gambia hopes that the review process will strengthen the global partnership for development and mobilize greater support for the objectives of the Doha Programme of Action. We look forward to an outcome that advances sustainable development.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Gambia. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qingdong, Chinese Republic of China.

President, China appreciates the convening of this joint thematic meeting of the General Assembly and ECOSOC. The Doha Programme of Action serves as an important roadmap for supporting LDCs in achieving sustainable development. China expects this meeting to further build consensus among member states In order to set the stage for the midterm review, I wish to mention three observations. First, keeping development as the priority, the international community support to LDCs should always respect national ownership and leadership and be aligned with their actual needs and priorities. China supports the OHRLS in continuing to strengthen its coordinating role and rallying attention to the development needs of LDCs as a priority in the UN Haiti reform process. Second, mobilizing resources for development. Developed countries should earnestly honor their ODA commitments. South-South cooperation as a complement to, not substitute for, North-South cooperation should bring to bear their distinct advantages in capacity building and galvanize broader UN system-wide participation. The UN should further strengthen financing capacity, explore innovative sources of finance, and push for the reform of IFIs in order to secure adequate, flexible, and predictable resources for LDCs. Third, improving the effectiveness of implementation. The international community should, in line with the DPOA priority areas, strengthen cooperation in such areas as poverty reduction, trade, energy, climate resilience, AI, and digital transformation, build the capacities of LDCs for self-reliance self-reliant development and help translate relevant support into sustainable development results. China has always prioritized support to LDCs in its international development cooperation. We have fully implemented zero tariff treatment for 100% of goods from all the LDCs having diplomatic ties with us. Starting from May 1st, 2026, zero tariff treatment has been extended to all African states with diplomatic ties. As an offer on our part to share development opportunities. To date, the Global Development Initiative has seen over $23 billion mobilized, over 1,800 cooperation projects undertaken, nearly 10,000 capacity-building events organized for developing countries, and over 200,000 people trained in various fields, lending a strong support to the development and revitalization of the Global South. China stands ready to work alongside all partners to keep contributing to the full implementation of the DPOA and to empower LDCs in achieving SDGs, leaving no country behind. Thank you, President.

I thank the distinguished representative of China. Now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Finland.

Mr. President, colleagues, the international community will convene next year in Qatar in a very important meeting to take stock of the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. Even before this stocktaking, however, the big picture is clear. We are far away from where we aspire to be. A staggering number of over 510 million people in LDCs still live in extreme poverty, and undernourishment is alarmingly on the rise. The compounding crises of recent years have led not only to stagnation in development outcomes but also reversals of progress. As the world around us changes, it is important to reevaluate what are the best ways to go forward and what more needs to be done. We therefore warmly welcome the midterm review as an invaluable milestone to take stock of progress, identify remaining gaps, strengthen national ownership,— and renew the political commitments. Finland has supported the LDC since the beginning of our development cooperation over 60 years ago, and we remain firmly committed to the implementation of the DPOA. We believe that global commitments must be translated into practical action through inclusive dialogue, concrete partnerships, and evidence-based -based solutions. This thinking is reflected in the LDC Future Forums jointly organized by Finland and the UNOHRLLS since 2021. The LDC Future Forums support the implementation of the DPOA by bringing together governments and various stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop actionable policy recommendations. In the spirit of the review, Finland has also had the great honor of co-chairing together with Angola the ad hoc working group on the smooth transition of graduating LDCs. The working group will present its final report tomorrow, and we hope it will contribute to the transition of LDC countries meeting the criteria for graduation by 2031, as set up out in the DPOA and others that will follow. Looking ahead, while global challenges remain significant, so do the opportunities. International cooperation remains our most effective tool for accelerating progress to create a more prosperous future for the LDCs. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Finland. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. Mr.

President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Timor-Leste aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the LDC Group and thanks the convening of this meeting as we prepare for the mid-term review in Doha next year. Excellencies, 4 years into the Doha Programme of Action, programmes' progress remains highly uneven. Among many challenges, LDCs face a stark drop in ODA and rising external debt. These cascading shocks shrink fiscal space and threaten to reverse hard-won SDG progress. Against this backdrop, Timor-Leste wishes to highlight the following observations. First, Timor-Leste's experience illustrates that development progress cannot be assessed through income alone. Sustainable development requires stronger human assets and hence productive capacities and greater resilience to external shocks. We therefore investing in education, social protection, disaster preparedness, and economic diversification to ensure that development gains are durable, inclusive, and sustainable. Second, To diversify away from oil dependence and empower our young population, we are prioritizing productive capacities. Our recent accession to WTO and ASEAN are important milestones. Those are strategic vehicles to modernize infrastructure, expand digital connectivity, and anchor our domestic reforms. Third, national ownership is our core, but continued international cooperation remains important in helping LDCs addressing financing constraints, strengthen resilience, and advance national determined development priorities. In this regard, we commend the State of Qatar and Finland for its continued support to the implementation of DPOA and OHRLLS for providing indispensable system-wide coordination. We also sincerely appreciate the ongoing efforts to advance the flagship deliverables of Doha Programme of Action, which have the potential to address critical gaps in food security, education, resilience, investment, and graduation support. The 2027 Mid-term Review is our collective opportunity to deliver meaningful and lasting results for all LDCs. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya.

President of the General Assembly, President of ECOSOC, thank you for convening this timely discussion. Kenya aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group and Group of G77 and China. And as we reach the midpoint of the Doha decade, the question before us is no longer what needs to be done, but whether we have the collective resolve to deliver on our commitments. As we take stock of the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, it is evident that challenges facing the LDCs have become more complex, interconnected, and the programme— since the programme was adopted in 2022. The central message emerging from this review is clear: implementation must now take centre stage and precedence must be before aspiration. From a Kenyan's perspective, without access to affordable and predictable finance, it will be difficult for many LDCs to build resilience, invest in productive sectors, and create pathways towards sustainable graduation. We therefore need renewed momentum to reform the international financial architecture and expand access to concessional and long-term development financing. We must also bridge the technology divide. The Doha Programme recognizes science, technology, and innovation as drivers of transformation. Yet many LDCs continue to face significant barriers in accessing digital infrastructure, skills, data systems, and emerging technologies. We must ensure that LDCs are not left behind in the AI digital transition. Climate resilience must remain at the center of our efforts. For many LDCs, climate change is a future challenge. Many LDCs continue to face multiple and overlapping crises, placing additional pressures on already stretched resources. Supporting the adaptation and resilience building must therefore remain a priority. The success of the Doha Programme will depend on national efforts and genuine partnerships between governments and United Nations, international financial institutions, development partners, and private sectors to ensure that the needs issues and priorities of LDCs remain at the center of the global development discourse. Kenya remains committed to supporting the full implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and to working with all partners to ensure that no country is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development, resilience, and shared prosperity. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kenya. Now I give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Japan.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, I would like to express my respect and appreciation to the PGA, the President of ECOSOC, and the High Representative for Least Developed Countries for their strong leadership on behalf of the LDCs, including the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. The international community is currently facing an unprecedented challenges, including escalating geopolitical tensions, accelerating climate change, and growing threats to international order based on the rule of law. These global dynamics impact the most vulnerable, particularly the populations in the LDCs, intensifying their development challenges and undermining their path towards sustainable and inclusive development. In this context, I would like to underscore the importance of Doha Programme of Action adopted in March 2022. This comprehensive framework clearly defines the commitments of developing— development partners towards resolving individual issues and achieving the sustainable development of the LDCs. It also emphasizes the LDCs are vital engines of future global economic growth. Given the challenging circumstances faced by the LDCs, the steady and resolute implementation of Doha Programme is of paramount importance. It is through sustained collective effort that we can transform vulnerability into opportunities for resilience and prosperity. Japan remains firmly committed to supporting the RDCs through development cooperation based on the principle of human security, which aims to protect life, livelihood, and dignity of each and every individual while supporting development efforts led by the RDCs themselves. These efforts should be guided by the principles of national ownership and international partnership. For Africa in particular, which accounts for a large portion of the LDCs, Japan has convened the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, TICAD. Most recently, in August of last year, TICAD 9 was held in Yokohama under the theme 'Co-creating Innovative Solutions with Africa. The conference brought together diverse stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions how to co-create solutions to challenges facing Africa and the international community, leveraging Japan's technological expertise along African-driven solutions to address shared challenges. Japan will continue to contribute to the steady implementation of Doha Programme.

I thank the permanent representative of Japan. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of India.

Social Council. India welcomes the opportunity to reflect on the progress in the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action at its midpoint. 4 years after the adoption of the DPOA, LDCs continue to confront multiple and overlapping challenges. Rising debt burdens, declining official development assistance, climate-induced disasters, energy insecurity, and persistent structural vulnerabilities have constrained their development prospects. These challenges underscore the importance of strengthening international cooperation and fulfilling commitments made to the LDCs. India has consistently attached the highest priority to the development aspirations of LDCs. Guided by the principles of demand-driven partnership, national ownership, respect for sovereignty, and mutual benefit, India's development cooperation seeks to strengthen productive capacities, build resilience, and support sustainable development. Through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation, or ITEC, program, India has provided capacity building and training opportunities to thousands of officials from LDCs across sectors such as governance, digital transformation, agriculture, health, renewable energy, and disaster management. India has also extended concessional lines of credit and grant assistance to support infrastructure, connectivity, and energy projects in partner countries among the LDCs. Recognizing the transformative potential of digital technologies, India has actively shared its experience in digital public infrastructure with fellow developing countries, including the LDCs. Initiatives in digital identity, digital payments, and e-governance have helped expand access to public services and promote financial inclusion. Through partnerships in Africa and Asia, India is supporting countries seeking to leverage technology for development while ensuring that digital transformation remains inclusive and accessible. India also remains committed to supporting renewable energy deployment and climate resilience through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, which has facilitated capacity building, project preparation, and access to solar energy solutions for many developing countries, including the LDCs. As we prepare for the midterm review in Doha in 2027, it is imperative that the international community redoubles its efforts to address financing constraints, facilitate affordable access to technology, strengthen resilience against climate and disaster risks, and support sustainable structural transformation in LDCs. India remains committed to working with all partners to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and to advance the shared objective of sustainable and inclusive development for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished, uh, representative of India. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of France.

Mesdames et messieurs.

Ladies and gentlemen, France is fully committed to implementing the Doha Programme of Action, our common roadmap for accelerating the implementation of the SDGs, ensuring that we leave no one behind. At the midterm point, the situation is clear. The LDCs continue to confront multiple vulnerabilities exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, climate change, and successive economic shocks. Against this backdrop, we reiterate the importance of ensuring a transition for states graduating from their LDC status. This must go hand in hand with tailored international assistance so that we lock in development achievements. France supports approaches which factor in multidimensional vulnerabilities of states, in particular through the index. France Germany remains mobilized for financing for development. As part of its G7 presidency, we are working to reform the international financial architecture and to speed up mobilization of private and public funding for the benefit of the most vulnerable countries. Energy security is also a major challenge for LDCs. The current recent energy crisis has demonstrated that the transition away from fossil fuels is not only a climate imperative, but also a key driver of energy security, sovereignty, and economic resilience. In 2024, the French Development Agency committed €2.5 billion through 85 projects aimed at bolstering the energy security of its partners in LDCs. We are proud, together with India, to co-chair the International Solar Alliance so as to support the development of solar energy in the most vulnerable countries. LDCs are the first to be affected by the climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution crisis, a triple planetary crisis. France is committed to bolstering their resilience. We will support efforts aimed at expanding access for SIDS and LDCs to climate financing, as in particular as part of the COP30 in Turkey. As part of our G7 presidency, we've decided to make an additional pledge, €3 million, to the CRUZ initiative, so as to support early warning system deployment. Last but not least, debt remains absolutely pivotal as an issue. We support coordination on a joint approach by the IMF and the World Bank so as to strengthen common frameworks and dialogue between creditors and debtors, in particular as part of the Paris Debt Club, a meeting that's been held today. Faced with these challenges, we must stand together and mobilize to ensure that the midterm review results in concrete commitments for the benefit of LDCs. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of France. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Mr. President, Excellencies, the Kingdom of Morocco welcomes the convening of this joint special meeting dedicated to the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries. Morocco's commitment to supporting LDCs is guided by the vision of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, who has made South-South cooperation anchored in solidarity, including with the LDCs, particularly in Africa, a cornerstone of cornerstone of the Kingdom's foreign policy. This commitment is both principled and action-oriented, translating into concrete cooperation across the economic, social, and environmental dimension of sustainable development. The Kingdom provided scholarships to students from LDCs and supported projects in education, health, and water infrastructures, thereby contributing to human capital development and improved access to essential services. Climate action constitutes another key pillar of Morocco's partnership with the LDCs. Under the leadership of His Majesty, Morocco has promoted African-led initiatives including the Climate Commissions for the Congo Basin, the Sahel, and Small Island Developing States, as well as the AAA Initiative for Adaptation of African Agriculture, the Triple S Initiative for Sustainability, Stability, and Security in Africa. This effort aims to strengthen climate resilience, food security, and sustainable access to energy. Today, at the midpoint of the Doha Decade, we recognize the progress achieved as well as the graduation of several countries in LDC statute. At the same time, we remain conscious of these gains remain vulnerable to the combined impact of climate change, food and energy insecurity that— and geopolitical tensions. Morocco believes that this midterm review should serve as a moment of renewed commitment and accelerated implementation. In this regard, three priorities merit particular attention. First, enhancing support for effective implementation for the Doha Programme of Action, including via improved access to concessional and development financing. Second, strengthening South-Southern Triangular cooperation. Third, placing resilience at the center of collective effort through strengthened crisis preparedness, climate adaptation, and sustainable development pathways. The success of the Doha Programme of Action will be a measure of our collective determination to advance a more equitable, resilient, and inclusive multilateral system that leaves no one behind. Morocco remains fully committed to working with all partners to ensure that the aspirations of the Doha Programme of Action are realized for all least developed countries. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lesotho.

Mr. President. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to deliver the statement of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Um, at this, uh, special thematic event of the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries, we align our statement with statement delivered by previous speakers, specifically Dr. Jane Matanga, the Minister of Energy Affairs of the Republic of Malawi. On behalf of the Chair of Least Developed Countries, we take the floor to share our national experience. Lesotho's national midterm review covering 2022-2026, confirms resilient but uneven progress shaped by overlapping crises we did not create but must absorb. These include the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geographical disruptions that drove the food and energy prices by up to— 20 to 25% climate-related shocks that have affected agricultural production and food security. And as well as the expiration of the African Growth Opportunity Act that actually accorded as a preferential market access in the US, threatening about 20,000 jobs and up to 47% of export earnings. While recent rainfalls have brought some relief, the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related shocks continue to expose the vulnerability of our economy and our people. These are not abstract statistics. These are the lived reality of Basotho households. Yet Lesotho has stood still. Our Human Development Index rose from 0.550 in 2023, placing us in the medium human development category for the first time. Multidimensional poverty declined from 36% to 25%. Social protection reaches 50% of our population through the child grant program. Vaccine coverage stands at 95% in primary schools, completion at the—

I think— I think it's caught already. 3 minutes has passed. 3 minutes has passed. Yeah, Mike is already caught. I think you— yeah, it's Mike. Mike is already caught because 3 minutes is already passed. It's— no, I think you have to finish. Thank you. It's 3 minutes. Thank you so much. I thank the distinguished representative of Lesotho, and thus we have heard the last speaker for the plenary segment. And Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I will now make a closing statement as the President of the Economic and Social Council. Excellencies, Dear distinguished delegates, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all member states for their valuable contributions to our discussions this morning. Your active engagement underscores the continued importance of the Least Developed Countries Agenda for the international community and the United Nations. United Nations. The interventions we have heard today provided important perspectives on both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain as we prepare for the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action. While notable progress has been made in— several least developed countries demonstrating resilience, determinations, and innovations. It is equally clear that implementation is taking place in an increasingly challenging global environment. We have heard now how rising debt burdens, declining development finance, climate impacts, and other external shocks continue to constrain development prospects and risk slowing progress towards the objective of the Doha Programme of Action. Excellencies, three messages stand out from our discussions this morning. First, the objective of the Doha Programme of Action, remain as relevant and urgent today as when they were adopted. Second, the implementation is not keeping pace with ambition. Closing persistent gaps in financing, productive capacity, infrastructure, technology, and resilience will require stronger partnership and renewed international support. Third, member states expect the midterm review to be a moment of accelerations, not simply the assessment. These messages should guide our preparations for Doha. The discussions this morning also reaffirmed that that the needs and priorities of the least developed countries must remain at the center of our collective efforts to achieve sustainable development. This afternoon, our attention will turn to energy security, a priority that is closely linked to resilience, economic transformations, and sustainable Sustainable Development. I look forward to the exchange of ideas and practical solutions that will emerge from that discussion. As we prepare for the midterm review, the message from this morning's discussions is quite clear: the ambitions of the Doha Programme of Action remain unchanged, but the urgency of implementations has only grown. Allow me to conclude by expressing my deep appreciation to all participants for your active engagement and constructive contributions to today's discussions. I thank you. Excellencies, before concluding, I would like to remind delegations that the panel discussions will begin promptly at 3 PM in Conference Room 1. The plenary segment is now concluded. The meeting is adjourned.