Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Joint General Assembly-ECOSOC Special Thematic Event on the Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries

Thank you, Mr. President,
 
At the outset, I would like to express my respect and appreciation to the President of General Assembly, the President of ECOSOC, and the High Representative for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), for their strong leadership on behalf of the LDCs, including the implementation of Doha Programme of Action.
 
The international community is currently facing an unprecedented challenges, including escalating geopolitical tensions, accelerating climate change, and growing threats to the international order based on the rule of law.

These global dynamics impact the most vulnerable, particularly the populations in the LDCs, intensifying their development challenges and undermining their path toward sustainable and includive development.
 
In this context, I would like to underscore the importance of the Doha Programme of Action, adopted in March of 2022. This comprehensive framework clearly defines the commitments of development partners towards resolving individual issues and achieving the sustainable development of the LDCs. It also emphasizes that the LDCs are vital engines of future global economic growth.
 
Given the challenging circumstances faced by the LDCs, the steady and resolute implementation of the Doha Programme is of paramount importance. It is through sustained collective effort that we can transform vulnerabilities into opportunities for resilience and prosperity.
 
Japan remains firmly committed to supporting the LDCs through development cooperation based on the principle of human security, which aims to protect the life, livelihood, and dignity of each and every individual, while supporting development efforts led by LDCs themselves. These efforts should be guided by the principles of national ownership and international partnership.
 
For Africa in particular, which accounts for a large portion of the LDCs, Japan has convened the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Most recently, in August of last year, TICAD9 was held in Yokohama under the theme 'Co-creating Innovative Solutions with Africa.' The conference brought together diverse stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on how to co-create solutions to challenges facing Africa and the international community, leveraging Japan's technological expertise alongside Africa-driven solutions to address shared challenges.
 
Japan will continue to contribute to the steady implementation of the Doha Program for the further development of the LDCs in close collaboration with the international community, including making a meaningful contribution to the mid-term review scheduled for March of next year.
 
I thank you.