1 April 2011: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) held an informal interactive hearing for civil society representatives in preparation for the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC IV), convening in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9-13 May 2011. The hearing took place in New York, US, on 1 April 2011.

The hearing was mandated by the General Assembly in its resolution on convening LDC IV (Resolution 65/171 of 20 December 2010). The purpose of the hearing was to give member States concrete, specific input as they prepare for LDC IV.

In opening remarks, Dr. Arjun Karki, LDC Watch and Chair, Civil Society Steering Committee for LDC IV, introduced the Global Civil Society Report and the civil society recommendations on the Conference process. The Report, which will be completed and made available before LDC IV, assesses the decade of implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action and identifies civil society priorities for LDC IV. Karki noted that the concerns of all civil society representatives in the hearing was the same, to see a commitment from the international community “to enable the development process within LDCs to work.”

Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, expressed hope that civil society’s “unique capacity to forge grand coalitions that transcended borders” would be put to the service of the development of LDCs.

Turkey’s Ambassador Ertuğrul Apakan, speaking in his Government’s capacity as host of the Conference, said the involvement of civil society would be crucial in planning and implementing national development policies after the Conference.

The hearing included three interactive panel discussions, on: harnessing productive resources for sustainable development; enhancing productive capacity and resilience against global crises; and promoting good governance and effective monitoring mechanisms for development.

In comments from civil society, many argued that the challenges faced by LDCs, especially small islands and landlocked countries, were being exacerbated by climate change. According to one representative, the focus of LDC IV should be on concrete steps forward, including on sustainable agriculture. [UN Webcast of Hearing, Part I] [UN Webcast of Hearing, Part II] [UNOHRLLS Website for Hearing] [UN Summary of Hearing]