Restoring the conditions for SDG progress in African countries, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries
Thursday, 8 July 2021
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Virtually (held New York time)
Official meeting
Statements
Statements
While some progress has been made toward the SDGs in African countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), even before the COVID-19 pandemic many countries were not on track to achieve the SDGs, and in some cases were regressing. The ongoing pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities and structural inequalities, adversely impacting human health, economies, and education. Debt levels are rising. Resilience is threatened by inequality and unemployment across populations. Social inequalities are widening, and disproportionately affecting women and girls. The pandemic has paralyzed key sectors including tourism, and the devastating effects of climate change are hindering recovery efforts.
LDCs and LLDCs are characterized by undiversified economies, weak public health services, low productive capacities, inadequate digital connectivity, and limited resources to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19. Of the 46 countries classified as LDCs, 33 of these are in Africa; half of the 32 LLDC countries are also located in this region.
While cases of COVID-19 had previously remained low in many of these countries, they are currently on the rise in Africa and in some LLDCs. Although the vaccine is starting to be distributed in many countries, rollout has been very slow. A minuscule proportion of vaccinations have been made in low income countries and a number of LDCs have not yet been able to begin vaccinating at all.
Both LDCs and LLDCs are severely affected by the global recession as a result of the pandemic, and many are in need of debt relief. Limited export diversification has heightened the vulnerability of LDCs to the impact of the pandemic on global trade. LLDCs have been impacted by cross-border restrictions and border closures, given their lack of direct access to seaports and dependency on transit transport to access international markets. Urgent and effective debt relief is needed, beyond debt servicing suspension. Bridging the digital divide is also more important than ever, to ensure a sustainable recovery and restore conditions for progress.
Preparations are currently underway in advance of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), which will convene from 23 to 27 January 2022 in Doha, Qatar, and is expected to adopt a new ambitious 10-year programme of action for the LDCs.
This session will address the challenges and opportunities common to these groups of countries amidst the pandemic and discuss the conditions necessary to overcome the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and embark on a track to realize the SDGs.
Proposed guiding questions:
- How can COVID-19 stimulus packages be designed and directed at supporting a sustainable and resilient recovery in Africa, and in LDC and LLDCs outside the region? How can they be bolstered by the international community?
- How could longer-term economic and fiscal policies and measures mitigate the social and economic effects of the pandemic, without increasing debt levels?
- What is being done to prioritize the needs of women, children, refugees, displaced persons, and other vulnerable populations? How are women and youth being engaged in sustainable recovery efforts?
- Where can we point to examples of innovative partnerships in critical sectors such as trade, investment, technology capacity building, food security, grants and concessional financing?
- What role can the UN play in ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive response to the ongoing crisis? How can we ensure access to the vaccine in these countries?
- What critical new commitments should be included in the outcome of LDC 5?
Chair:
- H.E. Ms. Pascale Baeriswyl (Switzerland), Vice President of Economic and Social Council
Highlights:
- Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, presentation of regional dimensions
Interactive panel discussion
Moderator:
- Mr. Courtenay Rattray, UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
Panellists/Resource persons:
- Mr. Ali Al-Dabbagh, Deputy Director General of planning at the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD)
- Ms. Sheila Oparaocha, Executive Director of ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy
- Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, Director of Green Climate Fund's Country Programming Division
Lead discussants:
- Mr. Chiagozie Udeh, Global Focal Point SDG7 Youth Constituency
- Mr. Basiru Isa, Network of Indigenous and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) (Indigenous Peoples’ Major Group)
Respondents:
- H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kazakhstan, Chair of LLDC Group
- H.E. Mr. Eisenhower Mkaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi, Chair of the Group of LDCs
- H.E. Mr. Tandi Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan
- Ms. Margaret Kobia, Professor and Cabinet Secretary for the Public Service and Gender Affairs, Kenya
- Mr. Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
H.E. Mr. Eisenhower Mkaka
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi, Chair of the Group of LDCs
Eisenhower Mkaka was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs effective 8th July, 2020, following the Election of His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as the 6th President of the Republic of Malawi during the Court-ordered fresh Presidential Election on 23rd June, 2020. He serves as the Secretary General of the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leading the Tonse Alliance of 9 political parties. He is a Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe Mpenu Constituency since May, 2019. He was until 23rd June 2020, Member of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
Eisenhower Mkaka holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Management obtained from Derby University in the UK and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration obtained from University of Malawi – the Polytechnic.
Eisenhower Mkaka is professionally a banker with about 12 years of banking career. He held senior positions in the banking industry in one of the largest banks in Malawi, the First Capital Bank.
Eisenhower is married with 4 children.
Quality time: reading, listening to music and physical fitness
H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kazakhstan, Chair of LLDC Group
Born on June 30, 1968. Graduated from the Philosophy and Economics Faculty of S. Kirov Kazakh State University, completed an internship at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Language Institute of Yonsei University (Republic of Korea.) Speaks English and Korean.
After graduation worked at the Departments of History of Philosophy and Chinese Philology of Al-Farabi Kazakh State University.
Began his diplomatic service at the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1993 with the office of Attaché, during his career at the Central Office worked as a Third secretary at the Asia Division, First secretary at the Asia, Middle East and Africa Department, Head of Divison at the Bilateral Cooperation Department. Worked abroad as a Second secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea and a Counselor in the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the State of Israel. Worked as an Adviser to the Secretary of State at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2003 was appointed Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In 2004 was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Malaysia and since 2005 with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines.
In 2009 was appointed to the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Swiss Confederation and with concurrent accreditation to the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Vatican City State, as well as of the Permanent Representative of the Republic Kazakhstan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. In 2015 was accredited as the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan with concurrent accreditation to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta.
From 2016 to 2019, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since 18 September, 2019 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since 18 January, 2021 - Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Awarded with medal “For Distinguished Labor" (2014) and other anniversary medals. Awarded with Letters of Appreciation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2003, 2010). Holds a diplomatic rank of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
H.E. Mr. Tandi Dorji
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan
Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji is a Pediatrician by profession and worked as a consultant Pediatrician at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan from 2001-2007, and at the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital, Mongar, Bhutan from 2001-2004. Lyonpo has a long experience in health services. He chaired the National Certification Commission on Polio Elimination (2013-till date) and the National Certification Committee for measles elimination and rubella/CRS control from 2015-2018.
Prior to joining politics, Lyonpo was actively involved in various health activities including being a volunteer project assistant for AUSTCARE (Australian Caring for Refugees) Sydney, Australia; Lecturer and Clinical Instructor at the Royal Institute of Health Sciences, Bhutan; Member of Bhutan Medical and Health Council; Professor of Public Health at Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, Thimphu; Managing Director and Researcher at Center for Research Initiative, Bhutan; and Program Health Specialist as Local Fund Agent for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
H.E. Ms. Pascale Baeriswyl
Vice President of ECOSOC
Before her latest appointment, Ms. Baeriswyl was her country’s State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, a position to which she was appointed in September 2016. As the first woman ever to head the Swiss diplomatic service, she conducted more than 70 bilateral consultations and negotiations. She also represented Switzerland at numerous multilateral and ministerial meetings, including at the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In her role as State Secretary, she put special emphasis on human security and Switzerland’s mediation and facilitation efforts, contributing to discussions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Canada, and the peace process in Colombia. She also served on the World Economic Forum’s Future Council on Europe from 2018 to 2020 and is currently a member of the Advisory Board of EqualVoice, an organization that aims to increase women’s visibility in media coverage.
In 2013, holding the rank of Ambassador, Ms. Baeriswyl became Vice-Director of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs’ Directorate of International Law, focusing mainly on asset recovery, international law and international treaties. From 2008 to 2013, she headed the political team at Switzerland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, having previously been responsible for foreign and security policy at the Swiss Mission to the European Union in Brussels from 2005 to 2008.
She joined Switzerland’s diplomatic service in 2000, serving in the Directorate of International Law and in the Embassy in Hanoi before taking over the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs’ Asia desk as Deputy Head of the Human Rights Policy Section.
She was elected to the Civil Court of Basel province in 1998, serving as an ordinary judge for three years. From 1999 to 2000, she headed the cantonal office against domestic violence in Basel, after working from 1994 as a researcher and legal adviser on domestic violence for the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Ms. Baeriswyl, who studied in Basel, Geneva and Paris, holds a master’s degree in private and public law and a master’s degree in history, French literature and linguistics, both from the University of Basel.
Born in 1968, she is married and has two adult children. She is also a passionate jazz saxophone player and skier.
Mr. Ali Al-Dabbagh
Deputy Director General of planning at the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD)
Mr. Abdulla Al-Dabbagh is the Deputy Director General of planning at the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD). He has been a key figure in Qatar’s international development with responsibilities including the
development of QFFD’s strategy, and the management of the Fund’s strategic partnerships and communication.
He has led several education programmes launched by QFFD, including Quest Education, Qatar scholarship program, and the funding of education programmes in partnership with Qatari institutions such as Education Above All and Qatar Charity.
Mr. Ali Al-Dabbagh has over 20 years of professional experience in the management, investment, finance and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining QFFD, he was at the Director of Direct Investments at Aspire Katara Investments, where he overlooked large investment projects in Qatar. Before that, Mr. Ali Al-Dabbagh was the Business Development Manager at Qatar Holding LLC, while also part of the Real Estate team at Qatar Investment Authority.
Mr. Ali Al-Dabbagh holds an Executive degree from the Program for Leadership Development (PLD 18) at Harvard Business School and a Masters’ degree in Accountancy from George Washington University in the United States of America and Certified Public Auditor in Qatar.
Mr. Chiagozie Udeh
Global Focal Point SDG7 Youth Constituency
Chiagozie Udeh is a young Nigerian climate activist who in 2019, served as the YOUNGO Global South Focal Point of YOUNGO, the Youth Constituency to the UNFCCC where he facilitated meaningful global youth engagement in the international climate change processes and negotiations primarily within the UNFCCC and other spaces within and outside the United Nations. He finished his mandate facilitating the engagement of global youths at the COP 25 in Madrid in December 2019 with some good partnerships with UN and non-UN organizations established.
Since 2015, he has been a Programme Coordinator for Plant-for-the-Planet in Nigeria where it hosts academies to train young Climate Justice ambassadors between 9-15 years as well as organize tree-planting activities in cities within the country.
In 2019, he was elected the Chairperson of the Executive Global board of Plant-for-the-Planet after the historic launch of the Trillion Trees campaign, a flagship programme of the organization which aims to plant 1 trillion trees by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions by 25% through a mobile App. He finished the role in November 2020.
Chiagozie helped create the youth space in intergovernmental processes of renewable energy and was elected as the Global Focal Point for the UN MGCY SDG7 Youth Constituency. He founded and led the renewable energy working group of YOUNGO and has devoted time to creating youth spaces in the energy sector which was hitherto difficult. he serves as one of the two youth representatives at the IEA Global Commission for People-Centred Energy Acceleration.
Mr. Udeh worked with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Nigeria on Climate Change, Peace and Security helping create a coalition of labour union and civil society organizations that are seeking to end gas flaring in Nigeria, promote energy democracy and ensures just transition.
He is currently a Masters Candidate for Innovation, Human Development and Sustainability at the University of Geneva.
Mr. Courtenay Rattray
UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Courtenay Rattray of Jamaica as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. He will succeed Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu of Tonga to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedication and commitment to the United Nations.
Mr. Rattray is an accomplished diplomat with a distinguished career in the Jamaica Foreign Service. He brings to the position broad-based managerial and leadership experience of working within and across multi-cultural settings with a focus on addressing the developmental challenges faced by countries in special situations, particularly in the area of development finance.
Currently Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations in New York, Mr. Rattray also serves as Co-chair of the Group of Friends of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Financing; Children and the SDGs; as well as the Group of Friends of Decent Work. He has served as Chairperson of several key initiatives, including the 52nd session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD52) in 2019, Co-facilitator for the Conclusions and Recommendations of the 2018 Financing for Development Forum, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Memorial Committee to honour the victims of slavery and Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UN Security Council Reform. He is also a past Chair of the UN Committee on Disarmament and International Security (First Committee), and co-facilitated negotiations for the Ministerial Declaration of the High-Level Political Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council and chaired the 6th Biennial Meeting of States on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Prior to his current position, he was Ambassador of Jamaica to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing (2008-2013); Director, Bilateral Relations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston, Jamaica (2005 -2008); Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Jamaica, Washington, D.C. (2001-2005); Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kingston (2000-2001) and Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry and Investment, Kingston (1999-2000). Before he joined the Jamaica Foreign Service, Mr. Rattray was Executive Director of the Jamaica Marketing Company in London (1990-1997) and Director of Marketing and Promotions of the Jamaica National Export Corporation in Kingston (1987-1988).
Mr. Rattray holds a Master of Arts degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; a Master of Arts in International Business from the London South Bank University; and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He has been awarded Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Mr. Michael Lodge
Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority
Michael W. Lodge is a British national. He received his LLB from the University of East Anglia and has an MSc in marine policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a barrister of Gray’s Inn, London. Prior to his election as Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority in July 2016, he had served as Deputy to the Secretary-General and Legal Counsel. Other professional experiences include serving as Legal Counsel to the ISA (1996-2003); Counsellor to the Round Table on Sustainable Development, OECD (2004-2007); Legal Counsel to the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (1991-1995).
He has also held appointments as a Visiting Fellow of Somerville College, Oxford (2012-2013), an Associate Fellow of Chatham House, London (2007) and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Oceans (2011-2016).
With 28 years of experience as a public international lawyer, Michael Lodge has a strong background in the field of law of the sea as well as ten years’ judicial experience in the UK and South Pacific. He spent many years living and working in the South Pacific and was one of the lead negotiators for the South Pacific Island States of the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement. He has also worked as a consultant on fisheries, environmental and international law in Europe, Asia, Eastern Europe, the South Pacific and Africa.
With extensive knowledge of the United Nations and other international organizations, Michael Lodge has facilitated high-level multilateral and bilateral negotiations at international and regional level. His significant achievements include his pivotal role in the ISA from its inception in 1996 and in helping to create and implement the first international regulatory regime for seabed mining. He also contributed to the future security of global fish stocks by leading the process to create the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission from concept to its establishment as the largest regional fisheries management organization in the world, also serving as the interim executive director of the Commission. He was instrumental in advising the Pew Charitable Trusts on their support for the Global Ocean Commission and also acted as an adviser to the Commission on international law of the sea and ocean policy.
Mr. Lodge has published and lectured extensively on the international law of the sea, with over 25 published books and articles on law of the sea, oceans policy and related issues.
Ms. Armida Alisjahbana
Executive Secretary of ESCAP
Prior to joining ESCAP, Ms. Alisjahbana was Professor of Economics at Universitas Padjadjaran in Bandung, Indonesia, a position she assumed in 2005. She joined Universitas Padjadjaran as a lecturer in 1988. Since 2016, she has served as Director for the Center for Sustainable Development Goals Studies at Universitas Padjadjaran and Vice Chair of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences.
She also serves on the Governing Board of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and member of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia - AIPI), the Forum of Statistics Community (Forum Masyarakat Statistik or Advisory Council of the Indonesian Statistics), the International Advisory Board of the Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies and Council Member of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI).
From 2009 to 2014, she was Minister of National Development Planning and the Head of the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), Indonesia. She served as Co-chair of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation from 2012 to 2014. From 2009 to 2014, she was Alternate Governor of the World Bank and Alternate Governor of the Asian Development Bank representing the government of Indonesia. In 2016, she was a member of the High Level Independent Team of Advisors to support the ECOSOC Dialogue on the longer term positioning of the United Nations Development System in the context of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
Ms. Alisjahbana has been involved in various research projects and consultancies to the United Nations University/Institute for Advanced Study in Tokyo, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the European Commission, and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Ms. Alisjahbana earned her Bachelor degree in Economics and Development Studies from Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia, a Masters degree in Economics from Northwestern University, USA and a Ph.D in Economics from University of Washington, USA. She was awarded the Mahaputra Adipradana Order (Bintang Mahaputra Adipradana) from the Republic of Indonesia, honorary brevet from the Indonesian Navy and honorary flight wing from the Indonesian Air Force.
Ms. Margaret Kobia
Professor and Cabinet Secretary for the Public Service and Gender Affairs, Kenya
Professor Margaret Kobia is the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service and Gender. She is a full Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship. Professor Kobia Holds a PhD Degree in Human Resource Education of the University of Illinois, M.Ed. of Kenyatta University and B.Ed. of the University of Nairobi. She received her ‘O’ and ‘A’ level education at Alliance Girls High School. Prior to joining the Public Service Commission, she was the founding Director General of the Kenya School of Government. Between 2005 and 2013, she served as the Director/CEO of the Kenya Institute of Administration and made a profound contribution in transforming the institution into a truly modern Management Development Institute (MDI) leading to the Institute’s elevation to Kenya School of Government. Professor Kobia has taught Management, Entrepreneurship and Research Methods at University level. Between 2011 and 2016, Professor Kobia served as the Chief Editor of the refereed African Journal of Public Administration and Management.
In recognition of her distinguished service and contributions to national development, she was awarded the Order of Grand Warrior (OGW), First Class Order of Chief of Burning Spear (CBS) by the President of Kenya in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Professor Kobia was the winner of the Commonwealth Gordon Draper Award 2010 for her strong leadership and outstanding contributions in improving public administration in the Commonwealth. In 2011, she was honoured by the American Biographical Institute for her dedication and contribution to management in the public service. In 2014, she won a regional recognition as Africa’s most influential woman in Business and Government awarded by CEO Magazine of South Africa. In 2016, she was awarded the highest Head of State Honours of Moran of Golden Heart (MGH) for her strong excellent leadership in public service. Professor Kobia sits on a number of Public Sector Management Boards. At the International level, she is a member of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), that advices UN Economic and Social Council.
She was the Vice President of the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration Management (CAPAM) 2010-2017, a member of International Commission on Accreditation of Public Administration Education and Training Programs and Co-chair of the Effective Institutions Platform (EIP). As an active academic, Professor Kobia supervises PhD research students. Her research interests include Public Sector Management, Governance and Performance Management Training.
Ms. Sheila Oparaocha
Executive Director of ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy
Sheila Oparaocha has twenty-one years of working experience in the gender and energy sector, a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Gender and Development Planning.
Sheila is the Executive Director of the ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. ENERGIA is an International Network of like-minded organisations and professionals that was established in 1996 to create an institutional base for galvanising action aimed at integrating gender into the energy access agenda of developing countries. Currently, ENERGIA has a programme of work with 31 partner organizations in 18 countries in Africa and Asia. Sheila has over has twenty one years of experience working at the intersectionality of gender equality, women empowerment and energy access, specifically in the areas of women entrepreneurship development, gender mainstreaming in energy programmes, international policy advocacy, research and evidence development, network building and knowledge management. Sheila is the co-chair of the Technical Advisory Group for the Sustainable Development Goal 7 and a permeantent member of the Steering Committee of the Health and Energy Platform for Action.
In the gender and energy sector. Sheila has the overall and primary responsibility for managing ENERGIA’s international programmes, planning, monitoring, reporting and liaising with ENERGIA’s donors. Sheila also provides technical support to ENERGIA’s activities on
