Mr. Chairman

Distinguished Committee Members,

Allow me at the outset to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your well-deserved election to chair these important proceedings. We are confident that under your skilful guidance, this session of the CPC will achieve significant results.

Thank you for this opportunity to introduce the proposed strategic framework of Programme 8: Least developed countries, Landlocked developing countries and Small Island developing States for the biennium 2012-2013 contained in document A/65/6(Prog.8). The Proposed strategic framework was developed in accordance with all the relevant legislative mandates from the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and the follow-up on recommendations made by these bodies.

This programme was established to harness and support the efforts towards addressing the development needs of the three most vulnerable groups of countries, namely: the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. These countries have special needs and vulnerabilities and are also greatly handicapped by structural problems, and unique geographical and environmental factors. These groups of countries continue to be adversely affected by a myriad of development challenges such as the global economic crisis and climate change and yet in most cases, they are the least equipped to respond.

Mr. Chairman

It is my conviction that this strategic framework reinforces this office’s catalytic role of mobilizing Governments and development partners’ support and resources for the effective implementation of: (i) the new programme of action for the least developed countries, to be adopted at the forthcoming Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, to be held in 2011 in Turkey; (ii) the Almaty Programme of Action: Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries; and (iii) the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

My office’s role of promoting multi-stakeholder involvement that is inclusive of the member States, the private sector, civil society and development partners at the national, sub-regional, regional and international levels results in the development of policies and programmes that are people centred that are also key to addressing the challenges faced by this group of countries. I sincerely believe that effective implementation of these programmes of action will help these groups of countries to overcome their vulnerabilities, build resilience and set themselves on a path of economically, socially and environmentally sustained development and will ensure their beneficial integration in the world economy, in both physical and economic terms. I would like to assure you that in implementing this proposed strategic plan, OHRLLS will contribute towards the achievement by these three groups of countries of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration and in the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and international agreements.

OHRLLS will continue to monitor, follow-up and report on the implementation of the three programmes of action and will continue to undertake awareness-raising and advocacy with respect to the three groups of countries and the related programmes of action so that the concerns of these groups of countries are placed high on the global development cooperation agenda and ensure that global economic governance, coherence and solidarity are brought to bear on their problems and challenges. The issue of gender equality will be adequately addressed in the implementation of the three programmes of action.

Mr Chairman, we are also grateful for the additional posts which you have made available to reinforce OHRLLS’s capabilities.

Mr. Chairman, I will now highlight the main elements of the strategic framework document before you. Programme 8: Least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and Small Island developing States for the biennium 2012-2013 will be implemented through three sub-programmes. These subprogrammes are: Subprogramme 1: Least developed countries; Subprogramme 2: Landlocked developing countries; and Subprogramme 3: Small island developing States.

Mr. Chairman, the following are the salient aspects of each of these subprogrammes.

Subprogramme 1 focuses on Least developed countries. This subprogramme will ensure the effective implementation of the new programme of action for the least developed countries, to be adopted at the forthcoming Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, to be held in 2011 in Turkey. The objective of the subprogramme is to enable the least developed countries to overcome their vulnerabilities and build resilience to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the internationally agreed development goals; and to mobilize international support for their sustained economic growth and sustainable development. 

The expected accomplishments from effective implementation of the new programme of action for the least developed countries by this subprogramme include (a) Strengthened partnership between the least developed countries and development partners; (b) Enhanced capacity of least developed countries to mainstream the new programme of action, the Millennium Development Goals and internationally agreed development goals into their national development strategies; and (c) Enhanced coordination among United Nations entities and other international and multilateral organizations to ensure integrated follow-up and support for the least developed countries. 

The indicators of achievement that we propose to use to assess the performance of this subprogramme include: (a) Increased number of measures undertaken by development partners in support of the development of the least developed countries; (b) Increased number of least developed countries mainstreaming the new programme of action, the Millennium Development Goals and internationally agreed development goals into their national development strategies; (c) Increased number of United Nations entities and other international and multilateral organizations that maintain and report on their activities in support of the least developed countries; and (d) Increased number of joint activities, including task forces, workshops, seminars, panels, briefings and publications.

Subprogramme 2 is focused on Landlocked developing countries. This subprogramme is designed to ensure effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action: Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries. The effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action by this subprogramme is expected to result in increased progress towards establishing efficient transport systems and reducing trade transaction costs; and increased international resources in support of the special needs of the land locked countries.

The indicators of achievement that we propose to use to assess the performance of this subprogramme include: (a) Increased number of specific actions, such as standardization and simplification of procedures for border crossing, taken by landlocked and transit developing countries; (b) Increased number of activities by the United Nations system and other development partners in support of the implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action; and (c) Increased percentage of official development assistance in support of landlocked developing countries allocated for aid-for-trade purposes.

The third Subprogramme focuses on Small-island developing States. This subprogramme is envisaged to foster the achievement of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. The subprogramme expects to achieve: (a) Strengthened international support for the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States; (b) Enhanced international support to small island developing States to enable them to adequately adapt to climate change; and (c) Enhanced inter-agency collaboration and partnerships in support of small island developing States.

The indicators of achievement that we propose to use to assess the performance of this subprogramme include: (a) Increased number of United Nations bodies and other international organizations and donors according special focus to issues relating to small island developing States; (b) Increased number of support measures by development partners to assist small island developing States in adapting to climate change; and (c) Increased number of joint programmes and activities, including seminars, panels, briefings and publications.

Finally, I would like to highlight the common key strategies that will be used by these three subprogrammes in implementing their work. They include: awareness raising about the special needs of the groups and advocating in favour of their special treatment; mobilizing international support and resources in support of the development objectives of the groups of countries; strengthening United Nations system coordination and coherence and building partnerships in support of the development objectives of the groups of countries; and monitoring and coordinating implementation of specific actions and initiatives aimed at addressing the vulnerabilities of the group of countries.

Mr Chairman,

With these brief remarks, I submit the proposed strategic framework for your consideration.

I thank you for your kind attention.