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Vanuatu graduates from Least Developed Country status

In all its cultural vividness, performers from Futuna island, Vanuatu, celebrate their traditional dance. Copyright: Graham Crumb / DFAT

At the end of 2020, the small island nation of Vanuatu celebrated its official graduation from the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Graduating from the status of Least Developed Country is an important development milestone in a country’s history. It provides a boost to national and international sentiment, which can bring to an increase in foreign investment to the benefit of the nation’s economy and progress. Graduate countries are provided with further support to ensure a smooth transition from the LDC category, ensuring that progress achieved continues sustainably and fairly in the future.

46 countries remain classified as least developed, with twelve others on - or about to join - the path to graduation.  Bhutan is expected to graduate in 2023. S?o Tomé and Príncipe, Angola and the Solomon Islands are expected to follow in 2024.

Read more .

Africa Regional Review of the Istanbul Programme of Action

As a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a beneficiary of a WFP programme washes her hands. This programme distributes cash to food insecure people in Muona (Southern Malawi) so they can buy food in local markets. Photo: WFP/Badre Bahaji

33 of the world’s 46 Least Developed Countries are situated in Africa. The assessment of the progress made in these countries against the Istanbul Programme of Action (PoA), is a necessary step to guide the drafting of the new PoA - which will be adopted in Doha, Qatar, in January 2022 at the 5^thUnited Nations Conference for the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).

With this aim, from 22 to 26 February 2021, OHRLLS and the Government of the Republic of Malawi co-hosted a meeting for African LDCs and Haiti to analyse their progress made over the last decade, and identify the main issues hindering sustainable development in all 34 nations.

The outcome of the Africa Regional Review took form in a Ministerial Declaration (link outcome_document_arr_2021.pdf (un.org)) , which outlines a renewed partnership for development between the LDCs and their development partners, necessary to achieve sustainable progress by the year 2030.

Read more about the preparations towards LDC5 .

OHRLLS’ work on behalf of the most vulnerable countries

LDCs

Side-Event at ECOSOC Youth Forum

The first class of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals. Copyright: UN Youth Envoy

Roughly 60% of the population in the world’s Least Developed Countries are under 25 years old. When empowered to  realise their best potential, these young people constitute a great force for positive change, to everyone’s benefit. OHRLLS works to ensure the voices of young people from LDCs are not only heard, but acted upon, in the preparatory process for LDC5 and the new Programme of Action.

On 6 April, on the side-lines of the 10^th ECOSOC Youth Forum, we joined forces with two Youth Constituencies ( and ), co-hosting an event for young people from LDCs to gather with the drafters of the LDC5 outcome, and share their visions and priorities. A recording of the event is available HERE [link SIDE EVENT AT THE ECOSOC YOUTH FORUM: “Youth - Agents of change for transformative recovery of LDCs”]. This event is the first of many more opportunities to include young people in LDC5, such as a global social media competition and further engaging events to make sure their voices are heard which will be launched later in the year.

Read more about how young people hold the key to Africa’s Sustainable Development .

LLDCs

How to develop bankable transport infrastructure projects in LLDCs and transit countries

Truck stuck in mud on road between Bocaranga and Koui, Central African Republic. Credit: OCHA/L.Paletta

Improved transport connectivity is crucial for the achievement of Sustainable Development in Landlocked Developing Countries and to help them effectively participate in global trade.

With the aim of training policymakers in LLDCs and transit countries, OHRLLS organised – in partnership with the UN Regional Commissions (ECA, ESCAP, ECLAC and ECE) and the African Development Bank and Asian Development Bank – a virtual training titled “Strengthening the capacity of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) to design and implement policies that promote transport connectivity in line with the Belt and Road Initiative for the achievement of the SDGs”. It took place on 6-8 April.

The modules of this training and all presentations are freely available for access and use. Read more about the project and access the training materials .

SIDS

Assessment of Financing for Sustainable Development and the Achievement of the Samoa Pathway

Members of the Mataso community (Vanuatu) making their return to Mataso after being evacuated during cyclone Pam in 2015. Credit: OCHA/Yaelle Link

In March, OHRLLS published a new “Assessment of Financing for Sustainable Development and the Achievement of the SAMOA Pathway report 2020”.

While Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are in need for concessional finance and international support to address their shared vulnerabilities – such as Climate Change and the COVID-19 pandemic - access to these resources is often a struggle.

Aiming to support increased mobilisation of resources, with this report OHRLLS provides an analytical overview of the external financial flows particularly aimed at SIDS for the achievement of sustainable development, the realisation of the 2030 Agenda, and the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway.

Read the new report .

What’s Next for LDC5? The Asia-Pacific Regional Review

Children vaccinated against cholera in Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh). Credit: OCHA/Anthony Burke

In collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, OHRLLS is organizing the Asia-Pacific Regional Review meeting in preparation for the 5^th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5). The Regional Review will take place virtually from Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 28 June to 2 July 2021.

12 of the 46 LDCs are located in the Asia-Pacific Region. These countries are making considerable progress in their socio-economic development. The Review meeting aims to undertake a comprehensive appraisal of the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action in the region, share best practices and lessons learned and identify obstacles and constraints encountered.

The outcome of the Asia-Pacific Regional Review will also inform the political process building towards LDC5, and the resulting Programme of Action.

Read more .

Worth a Look

Are the Least Developed Countries facing a lost decade of development post-COVID? | Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

As a Global Crisis Continues, Africa’s Most Vulnerable Nations Set Development Priorities for an Equitable and Resilient Future | Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States