Mobilizing international solidarity, accelerating action and embarking on new pathways to realize the 2030 Agenda and respond to COVID-19: African countries, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying global economic recession will cause a rise in poverty, global economic inequality and inequitable distribution of development gains within and among countries. The least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and African countries will bear the heaviest burden of these impacts. These countries are already vulnerable due to the fragility of their health systems, limited coverage of their social protection systems, limited financial and other resources, vulnerability to external shocks, and significant dependence on international trade and financing.

In many of these countries the effects of the pandemic are amplified by the ongoing conflicts, instability and climate crisis. The poorest and most vulnerable populations are disproportionally affected, including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees and informal sector workers.

Preparations for the fifth UN conference on LDCs in Doha, Qatar (21-25 March 2021) have been slowed down due to COVID-19 but are picking up again. The Conference will provide an opportunity to shape a new action plan for LDCs to build back better, smarter and resilient in the next decade. The mid-term reviews of the Vienna programme of actions led to further commitments to improve the situation of LLDCs.

Proposed guiding questions:

How can the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects be used as an opportunity for enhancing resilience and structural transformation in LDCs, LLDCs and African countries?
What structural and other changes are needed to address the impacts of COVID-19 such as rising external debt, drop in remittances and tourism or impact on food security? How can they be accelerated for realizing the decade of action for the SDGs?
What specific policy measures and international support are needed to protect medium and small-scale enterprises and their role in the economies of some of these vulnerable countries?
What strategies can we use to build back better, smarter and resilient in LDCs, LLDCs and African countries?
What recommendations would you make for the next decade in the context of the future programme of action for LDCs?
How can we resume and accelerate progress in achieving the SDGs and delivering on the programmes of action for LDCs and LLDCs and NEPAD?

Chair:

H.E. Ms. Mona Juul, President of Economic and Social Council

Keynote speaker:

Ms. Agnes Kalibata, former Minister of Agriculture of Rwanda, President of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and Special Envoy for the 2021 Food System Summit

Moderator:

Ms. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh

Resource persons:

H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, former Prime Minister of Niger and CEO of AUDA-NEPAD
H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD)
Mr. Ahmed Ouma, Deputy Director of Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Lead discussants:

Ms. Vanessa Chivizhe, Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe
Mr. Trymore Karikoga, Acting Executive Chairperson and VIONet Zim National Coordinator, VIONet Zimbabwe (Volunteers Stakeholder Group)

Followed by interactive discussion

Respondents:

H.E. Ms. Matsepo Molise-Ramakoae, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lesotho
Ms. Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
Mr. Thomas Munthali, Director General for the National Planning Commission, Malawi