January 2016: A preparatory process is under way for the comprehensive high-level mid-term review of implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for 2011-2020 (IPoA). The review meeting, convening in Turkey in May 2016, will be preceded by a one-day special thematic event of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 11 February, and an expert meeting to consider the draft conference outcome document, in March.

The review aims to: reaffirm the global commitment to address LDCs’ special needs; launch concrete initiatives targeted at reaching IPoA goals and targets; discuss synergies between IPoA implementation and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; discuss how to strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development, and further strengthen the global partnership for LDC development in IPoA priority areas; and enable half the number of LDCs to attain the graduation threshold.

A 2014 UNGA resolution on ‘Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries,’ calls for the IPoA review and preparatory process, including the Assembly’s thematic event, to provide input to the review. In March, a draft outcome document from the review conference is expected to be considered during a preparatory meeting of experts. In April, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will discuss the mid-term review as part of its Coordination and Management Meeting. The Inter-Agency Consultative Group on IPoA implementation is acting as the main coordination and consultation mechanism for the preparation and organization of the mid-term review.

In addition to the global preparatory process, country-level and regional preparations have taken place. At the country level, national reports provided an overview of measures taken in line with IPoA priorities on boosting structural transformation and productive capacity-building to enable LDCs to graduate by 2020. At the regional level, meetings aimed to identify regional constraints, challenges and policy priorities, and review the contribution of regional trading arrangements and the role of Regional Economic Communities in fostering better integration of LDCs in the global economy. Regional meetings included: a high-level policy dialogue on IPoA implementation in Asia and the Pacific (4-6 March 2015, in Siam Reap, Cambodia); the eighth joint annual meetings of the African Union (AU) Specialized Technical Committee and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (25-27 March 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia); a regional preparatory mid-term review meeting of the IPoA in Africa (5 March 2015); the African LDC Ministerial Meeting (8-10 June 2015, in Milan, Italy); and a meeting of the Special Body on least developed, landlocked developing and Pacific island developing countries (27 May 2015, in Bangkok, Thailand).

The IPoA, which was agreed in Istanbul in 2011: provides a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of LDCs; aims to help LDCs graduate in a sustainable manner; and outlines the international community’s vision and strategy for the sustainable development of LDCs with a focus on developing their productive capacities.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes LDCs as the most vulnerable countries, addresses their challenges and priorities, and contains specific measures to strengthen their capacity in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change also recognize LDCs as the most vulnerable group of countries. These agreements provide the structure within which international support for LDCs could be strengthened and scaled up, thereby ensuring that LDCs achieve the IPoA objectives, according to OHRLLS.

The review meeting will convene in Antalya, Turkey, on 25-27 May 2016, and is expected to produce an intergovernmentally negotiated and agreed outcome, in the form of a political declaration. Donor countries, developing countries, parliaments, the private sector, civil society, the UN system, and international and regional financial institutions are all expected to contribute to the preparatory process, the review and IPoA implementation. A private sector forum on investment opportunities in LDCs will also take place during the review. [Concept Note for Mid-term Review] [Mid-term Review Details] [Roap Map for Review] [IPoA Information] [Special Body Meeting] [IISD RS Story on Siem Reap Meeting]