UNIDO and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Message from the Director-General
In the 1960s, the United Nations system resolved to pay special attention to the needs of those countries facing the greatest development challenges, namely the least developed countries (LDCs). Nearly fifty years on, LDCs continue to face immense challenges; more than ever, this group of countries needs our combined assistance.
The recent financial and economic crisis has had a devastating impact on LDCs. They have been forced to cope with reduced inflows in foreign direct investment and remittances, a slowdown in exports, and consequently a deceleration in growth. These same countries tend not to have diversified economies and to rely on commodity exports, which have been subject to great volatility in the wake of the crisis.
UNIDO, as the UN’s specialized industrial development agency, has a long history of involvement in addressing poverty in LDCs through its activities in agribusiness, trade capacity-building, and access to clean energy. These programmes aim at building resilience by boosting productive capacities, and promoting access to regional and global markets.
We in UNIDO also believe that expanding the economic opportunities available for women in LDCs is vital for poverty eradication. Our programmes target the integration of women into the growth and development process, as this is more than likely to yield positive multiplier effects for households, communities and ultimately national economies.
We sincerely appreciate the key role that the Government of Turkey has assumed for the advancement of LDCs through the hosting of this Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV). As we are all aware, this Conference has been mandated by the General Assembly to arrive at the adoption of a concerted and renewed partnership between the LDCs and their development partners throughout the next decade.
The success of the event requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, business associations, academia and media, in order to mobilize global solidarity and knowledge sharing in favour of the LDCs.
In this connection, UNIDO is pleased to organize a side event panel discussion during this Conference on "Enhancing the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agribusiness global value chains".
UNIDO is committed to responding to the need of LDCs for strategic advice and policy support towards structural change and economic diversification. Together with our sister UN agencies, we stand ready to become an even stronger partner for their prosperity.
Kandeh K. Yumkella, UNIDO Director-General
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