UNIDO and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
The group of countries designated as "least developed countries" (LDCs) by the United Nations constitute the most disadvantaged and vulnerable countries in the world. Characteristics of LDCs include high levels of poverty, structural and resource weaknesses and acute susceptibility to external economic factors, climate change and natural disasters.
Of the total of 48 countries currently categorized as LDCs, 33 are located in Africa, 14 in Asia and the Pacific and 1 in the Americas. Since the late 1960s, the UN system has increasingly paid attention to the specific needs of LDCs.
The first UN Conference on LDCs was held in Paris in 1981, resulting in a comprehensive Substantial New Programme of Action (SNPA) for the 1980s for the LDCs. The SNPA was subsequently endorsed by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 36/194 of 17 December 1981. This was followed by the Second United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-II) in Paris in 1990 leading to the Paris Declaration and the Programme of Action for LDCs. Subsequently, the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-III) was held in Brussels, hosted by the European Union from 14 to 20 May 2001, resulting in the Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs.
UNIDO has long focused on the specific needs of LDCs in line with the global consensus on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs, which called for building LDCs’ productive capacities (commitment 4) and enhancing the role of trade in development (commitment 5). UNIDO’s strategy for supporting LDCs has been multi-dimensional, ranging from a greater allocation of technical cooperation resources to LDC-specific initiatives to global forum activities focusing on the specific needs of LDCs.
See also Message from the Director-General
See also
LDC IV event focuses on trade and productive capacity development for sustainable growth
ISTANBUL, 9 May 2011 – Developing productive capacities and trade as a key component of inclusive and sustainable growth was the focus of an event organized by UNIDO and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), on behalf of the UN Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity, at the Fourth Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) in Istanbul today.
Empowering Women in Mali: Empowerment through Beauty
In 2008, UNIDO initiated a project in Mali aiming at women’s empowerment and securing a sustainable income for some of the poorest rural communities. UNIDO’s efforts, with the strong support of the Government of Mali, have already helped to attract private sector investment into the women’s cooperative in Dioila, giving them for the first time direct access to the international market.
UNIDO to organize side event on agro-industrial development during the Fourth United Nations Conference on LDCs (LDC-IV)
UNIDO will host a side event entitled “Enhancing the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global value chain approach: technology and knowledge management for agribusiness development in LDCs”. The event aims to contribute to the shaping of a new development agenda for LDCs for the coming decade.
UNIDO co-organized pre-conference event in Istanbul
On 7-8 February, UNIDO and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) organized a preparatory event, entitled “Science, Technology and Innovation (STI): Setting Priorities, Shaping and Implementing Policies for LDCs”, to highlight the importance of an effective STI approach for development and sustainable growth.
Chevron gives USD 1 million for UNIDO project on entrepreneurship curriculum in Angola schools
LUANDA, 29 October 2010 – Chevron will contribute USD 1 million towards a project by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) that will help introduce entrepreneurship as a subject in secondary schools in Angola.
