Doha: The State of Qatar participated in the Africa regional ministerial preparatory meeting for the Mid-term Review of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day meeting concluded today.
Representing Qatar at the meeting via video conference was Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti.
The meeting brought together representatives of African LDCs, along with regional and international partners, to assess progress in implementing the DPoA and consolidate regional priorities ahead of the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review of its implementation.
Discussions focused on the structural and financial challenges facing LDCs in Africa, including widening financing gaps, limited fiscal space, rising debt burdens and the impacts of climate change. Participants also emphasized the need to strengthen productive capacities, build resilience and support countries in achieving sustainable graduation from LDC status.
In his remarks, Al Sulaiti underscored the importance of closing financing gaps and strengthening international partnerships to support the sustainable development and graduation pathways of LDCs.
He stressed the need to mobilize innovative and flexible financing solutions capable of expanding productive capacities, enhancing economic resilience and safeguarding development gains already achieved.
Al Sulaiti further emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation and partnerships to support countries throughout their development and graduation journeys, particularly through long-term, predictable financing that can respond to evolving development needs.
QFFD’s participation in the meeting forms part of its ongoing partnership with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) in support of the implementation of the DPoA.
Following Qatar’s hosting of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in March 2023, which culminated in the adoption of the DPoA, Qatar announced a $60 million commitment to support its implementation.
The commitment includes a core contribution to UN-OHRLLS, as well as funding for key programmes, notably two project agreements supporting a food stockholding mechanism to address food insecurity in LDCs and a resilience-building mechanism for LDCs.
The partnership reflects Qatar’s continued commitment to advancing the priorities of the DPoA ahead of its midterm review, scheduled for 2027.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on consolidating African priorities, deepening regional and international cooperation, and strengthening partnerships with countries of the Global South ahead of the DPoA Midterm Review.
