UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries
ILO welcomes renewed commitments to support recovery and sustainable development in Least Developed Countries
Despite the challenges facing Least Developed Countries, there are reasons for optimism, an ILO report on present and future work in the LDCs finds.
The commitments are expected to be unveiled during the second part of the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) that will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 5-9 March 2023.
The first part of LDC5 took place on March 17, 2022 at UN Headquarters in New York. Delegates there adopted the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA), establishing a new 10-year framework for the LDCs. The DPoA focuses on renewed and strengthened commitments between the LDCs and their development partners, including the private sector, civil society, and governments.
At the Doha meeting world leaders will join parliamentarians, young people and representatives from the private sector and civil society to discuss new ideas and make new pledges of support, to ensure that the 46 LDCs benefit from social, economic and environmental development through a new global partnership.
“The LDC5 Conference provides a huge opportunity to highlight the ongoing international collaboration on attracting sustainable investment and promoting responsible business conduct that will contribute to full implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.
“The ILO is fully committed to supporting LDCs in achieving the Doha Programme of Action through practical labour market solutions that generate transformational shifts toward the creation of decent jobs and renewed optimism for a sustainable future of work with social justice,” he added.
An ILO report prepared for the LDC5 meeting, Present and Future Work in the Least Developed Countries, has highlighted the significant potential of LDCs to take advantage of the shift to greener economies, given their expanding, youthful populations and abundant natural resources.
“If they can combine this ‘demographic dividend’ with skills development, it will open the way to apply new technologies, develop new markets and create sustainable, decent and green jobs. Success will require the right employment and macroeconomic policy measures that can help create jobs in both existing and new sectors, enhance productivity, and drive innovation by encouraging investment in green and digital economic opportunities,” said Christophe Perrin, Officer in Charge of the ILO’s External and Corporate Relations Cluster.
During the meeting’s general debate, the ILO plans to deliver a statement highlighting key commitments and actions aimed at addressing LDC-specific challenges, in line with the DPoA.
As part of the meeting’s Youth Track, the ILO will host an event, “Decent Jobs for Forcibly Displaced Youth in LDCs”, where discussions will focus on the challenges and opportunities in helping these young people to secure a smooth transition into decent work while promoting their meaningful engagement and participation.
The ILO will also host a photo exhibition showcasing the resilience of Yemeni workers, focusing on workers and employers who are beneficiaries of ILO interventions.
The LDC5 Conference was divided into two parts because of the COVID-19 pandemic.