25 July 2016: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) endorsed the political declaration of the midterm review conference, held in May 2016, on implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the least developed countries (LDCs) for 2011-2020(IPoA). The High-Level Midterm Review Conference focused on the LDCs and their progress over the past five years, and on finding ways to accelerate their sustainable development.

The Conference took place from 27-29 May 2016, and was hosted by the Government of Turkey, for which the UNGA expresses “profound gratitude.”

During a plenary meeting convened by UNGA President Mogens Lykketoft, on 25 July 2016, UN Member States adopted a draft resolution titled ‘Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High-Level Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the Decade 2011-2020′ (A/70/L.56), which endorses the political declaration, included as an annex.

Adopting the text, Thailand for the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) stressed the importance of the principles of universality and inclusiveness, and the need to accelerate the capacity of LDCs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He expressed hope that at least half of the LDCs, “if not all of them,” will meet the criteria necessary to graduate from the LDC category by 2020.

The EU said no one should be left behind, and the EU will continue to put LDCs “at the center” of its trade and development policy, and facilitate a smooth LDC graduation process. He characterized the political declaration as a strong and balanced text.

Japan welcomed the Declaration’s references to the construction of quality infrastructure, and support for disaster risk reduction (DRR). He said Africa will host the sixth Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD VI), from 27-28 August 2016, which will provide the opportunity to deepen discussion and partnership on preventing violent extremism, promoting Africa’s achievement of the Agenda 2063 for Africa and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other issues.

Stressing its commitment to the LDCs, the US said one third of its bilateral net disbursement of Official Development Assistance (ODA) between 2011 and 2014 was directed to LDCs, and such assistance increased by 8% in 2015. She called for using ODA catalytically to leverage new partnerships to address LDCs challenges, noting partnership initiatives in which the US is engaged, such as the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.

Turkey remarked that the Political Declaration demonstrates a shared commitment to eradicate poverty, ensure sustainable development and build a better future for all, and called for its full implementation. Nicaragua expressed its reservations concerning the resolution’s references to the Paris Agreement on climate change, which Nicaragua has not signed. She said the resolution’s language related to the Paris Agreement should not form a precedent for future agreements.

The High-Level Midterm Review conference was co-organized by the Government of Turkey and the UN Office of the High Representative for the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States (OHRLLS). Its Political Declaration was negotiated ahead of the conference by UN Member States, during a an intergovernmental consultation process led by Benedicte Frankinet, Permanent Representative of Belgium, and Jean-Francis Regis Zinsou, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin. [UNGA President Letter] [Draft Political Declaration] [Meeting Summary] [IPoA Midterm Review Website] [IISD RS Story on IPoA Midterm Review]