PH Reaffirms Solidarity with Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Multilateral and International Economic Relations Carlos D. Sorreta assures LDCs of the Philippines’ continued support in helping them achieve their development goals. (Image courtesy of the United Nations Live Webcast of the LDC5)
DOHA 15 March 2023 – The Philippines reaffirmed its solidarity with Least Development Countries (LDCs) stating that they represent the key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his statement delivered on 07 March 2023 at the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Qatar’s capital, DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral and International Economic Relations Carlos D. Sorreta urged traditional donor countries and the United Nations Development System to “redouble their efforts and fulfill their commitments for LDCs,especially on debt structuring, debt relief, and financing for development.”
“LDCs are where the battle to achieve the SDGs must be won to attain the future that we all want. Only by uplifting LDCs towards irreversible graduation will we see true people-centered prosperity and sustainable development take hold,” Undersecretary Sorreta said.
Undersecretary Sorreta also affirmed the Philippines’ support to the vision outcomes of the first and succeeding United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries and the “Doha Programme of Action (DPoA)” for LDCs, a blueprint for providing LDCs with much-needed support for development.
The LDC5 Conference adopted a Political Declaration to support implementation of the DPoA.
In his remarks, Undersecretary Sorreta also highlighted the important role the Philippines and other middle-income countries (MICs) play in fully implementing the plan of action.
“MICs share comparable experiences and can provide LDCs with financial resources, knowledge, expertise, and technology that can enable LDCs to build productive capacities, diversify their economies, and develop human and social capital,” said the Undersecretary.
He conveyed the Philippines’ desire to expand development cooperation initiatives with LDCs in the form of technical cooperation, scholarships, and capacity-building through a South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
At present, the Philippines undertakes these initiatives with LDCs in the Asia-Pacific, but is exploring the possibility of partnering with African LDCs as well.
The Philippines is one of more than 150 delegations participating in the conference. Apart from LDCs, the conference is attended by delegations from development partners, international organizations, representatives from the UN system, and other stakeholders such as the private sector, CSOs, and NGOs.
Since the first UN Conference on LDCs in 1981, the Philippines has actively advocated for the interests of LDCs. Aside from taking an active role in shaping the outcome documents of each conference and providing development assistance through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, the Philippines also contributes to the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund and the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness in Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian Countries. Both funds provide LDCs with alternative sources of financing to support projects and initiatives in poverty alleviation, food security, reducing inequality, climate action, and disaster risk management.
The UN Conferences on LDCs happen once every 10 years, and aim to support the graduation of all 46 LDCs into middle-income country status. END