Csaba?K?r?si,?President of the 77th?session of the General Assembly
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High-level opening of the Civil Society Forum at the LDC5 Conference in Doha, Qatar
4 March 2023
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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Let me begin by extending my sincere thanks to the Government and people of Qatar for hosting the 5th?Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
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This historic event offers the world the opportunity to?galvanise momentum?to act in solidarity with those most vulnerable.
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Indeed, strengthening the bonds between Civil Society Organisations and the United Nations is?imperative.
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It is absolutely?imperative.
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Between people’s realities on the ground, and the transformation of those realities through bold decision-making.
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When I use, and I use every chance to point out that governments do not have a monopoly on wisdom.
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We need your wisdom. We need your knowledge. We need your experience.
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As we meet these days, LDCs are at a crossroads on their paths toward sustainable development. Just like any other country.
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From a tortuous post-COVID recovery to the war in Ukraine and its global consequences, through an inflation now in double digits across the world – epic challenges, compounded by the climate crisis, warn us that the worst is still to come.
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But as expressed by former Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, “saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty and advancing economic growth – these are one and the same fight.”
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
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Between 2000 and 2019, the economies of LDCs grew at an average rate of 4.7% per year, a rate much higher than the global average.
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This growth played an important role in improving access to health and services and reducing poverty overall.
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Sadly, the pandemic has reversed decades of development, and some LDCs are now experiencing the first economic contractions in three decades.
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Worse, between 2011 and 2019, the combined debt of LDCs tripled from $10 billion to $33 billion USD per year.
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A debt projected to rise by another $50 billion due to the unaccounted effects of the pandemic.
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On a human scale, that means 32 million more people pushed into poverty across the world’s LDCs, with women and children bearing the heaviest brunt of misery.
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Earlier this week I was in Geneva for the opening of the session of the Human Rights Council, and I was reminded, to quote the words of the High Commissioner, that:
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“No social phenomenon is quite as comprehensive in its assault on human rights as poverty.”
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Today, a financial chasm separates LDCs from the ambition of the sustainable development goals. ?
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As we speak, LDCs receive 80 billion USD in development assistance.
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A?fraction of the sum they need – which totals up to 350 billion USD.
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Redressing this gap is possible.
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But we have to make a choice to invest in our sustainable development goals.
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A?conscious choice. The smart choice. The ethical choice.
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This is not philanthropy.
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This is about doing the right thing.
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This is about creating a world where every single person can live his or her life to its fullest potential.
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To achieve this, we must work together. Across borders. Across sectors.
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Having in mind the old Arabic proverb:
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?????? ??? ?????? ??????????
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Which translates in English as “friend in need, friend indeed”
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Yes, it is the time of need – and the time when we must change our course.
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The Doha Programme of Action provides a comprehensive framework designed to address the challenges faced by LDCs and support these nations in achieving sustainable development.
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That is a blueprint for turning our potential into prosperity.
A game plan for harnessing the wealth that we do have.
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Dear colleagues, dear friends,
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Let us create a better future, for all to live free from want.
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Let us commit ourselves to working hand in hand, to supporting the transformation of LDCs, and to achieving sustainable development.
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Because, as Nelson Mandela once said, “overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental right, the right to dignity and a decent life”.
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Thank you very much.