Least developed countries urge partnerships for productive capacity | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

On 28 July, with the kick-off of the United Nations post-2015 sustainable development agenda fast approaching, ministers and senior Government officials from across the globe have gathered in Cotonou, Benin, to discuss how to strengthen the world’s 48 least developed countries to produce more goods and trade in international markets more efficiently.

“The conference is an invaluable opportunity for Governments, the United Nations, private sector and civil society to come together to strengthen and expand multi-stakeholder efforts towards significant and robust partnerships,” said UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).

The four-day Ministerial Conference on New Partnerships for Productive Capacity Building in the Least Developed Countries, will identify innovative methods to improve the productive capacity of LDCs – a key priority of the 2011 Istanbul Programme of Action, which charts out the international community’s vision and strategy for the sustainable development of LDCs for the next decade.

Focusing on policy framework and institutions, the development of value chains, infrastructure and access to energy and international support measures, the Benin meeting will also focus on appropriate means of implementation including through addressing cross-cutting issues namely gender and women empowerment, employment and sustainable development.

Increasing productive capacities in the LDCs is a defining challenge and an opportunity to eradicate poverty and achieve and sustainable development in the decade to come.

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