9 June 2015: Minsters from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa called on the international community to prioritize LDC needs at the upcoming financing for development (FfD) and post-2015 development agenda talks to take place in Addis Ababa and New York.

The call came in a declaration from the Ministerial Meeting of African LDCs, organized by the Government of Italy and the UN Office of the High Representative of LDCs, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States (UN-OHRLLS) to discuss accelerating progress towards graduation from LDC status. The meeting took place from 8-10 June in Milan, Italy, on the margins of the Expo Milan, which is organized around the theme ‘Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life.’

Ministers and high-level representatives from 29 countries discussed agriculture, food security and access to energy as critical factors for development. Their meeting declaration called on developed countries to meet their commitments to overseas development assistance (ODA) and enhance investment promotion, market access and access to technology. Ministers stressed the need for strong national ownership and leadership of development goals.

The meeting identified factors that will drive sustainable development in LDCs, including the capacity to: create products and services; maintain good governance; ensure food security; and provide access to modern energy services and infrastructure.

Gyan Chandra Acharya, High Representative, UN-OHRLLS, highlighted LDCs’ potential to contribute to global food security, peace and prosperity. He called for sufficient resources to facilitate the necessary infrastructure, foster resilient communities, and empower poor and marginalized rural households for inclusive and sustainable development in LDCs. [UN Press Release]