DOHA - H.H. Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar announced a US$60 million financial contribution to Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) during his keynote opening address at the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Doha today.

“US$10 million will be allocated for supporting the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action activities for the LDCs, and US$50 million will be allocated for supporting the intended outcomes of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) and building resilience potential in the LDCs,” said H.H. Sheikh Tamim as quoted by Doha News. The DPoA – the landmark roadmap adopted in March 2022 aimed at, among others, creating new commitments and broad partnerships towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – includes an online university, a food stockholding system, and an international investment support centre.

"It might be appropriate to revive the theme of the Secretary-General of the United Nations: ‘No Poverty’ in the world. The realisation of this requires an international synergy to implement a human development plan at the global level.

“We are confident that this conference will contribute to supporting the least developed countries’ march towards achieving development therein for the next ten years.”

Held every 10 years, the UN event comes following numerous challenges affecting least developed countries, at the top of which is the COVID-19 outbreak. The five-day conference aims to mobilise international community's commitments towards the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs (2022-2031) adopted by the UN General Assembly in April 2022.

The Gulf state’s leader reiterated the need for international solidarity in combating crises worldwide.

The Emir also addressed food security challenges, climate change, energy and debt crisis, saying developed countries have the “moral obligation” in seeking solutions to them.

“There is a moral obligation incumbent upon the rich and developed countries to contribute more to assist the least developed countries to overcome the global challenges we are now dealing with,” H.H.noted.

Commenting on the food security crisis, the Emir stressed the need for long-term solutions for the issue.

“The food security crisis cannot be solved only by providing emergency humanitarian aid or temporary remedies, but also it is necessary to assist the countries to achieve their food security,” the Qatari leader said.

With the debt crisis being a key issue for officials to address at the LDC5, Sheikh Tamim called for the need to direct attention to its impact on least developed countries.

He said the debt crisis has “crippled the course of growth and development in these countries”, praising global initiatives placed to tackle it.

“Debt repayment exacerbates poverty and prevents development projects’ implementation,” he added.

Sheikh Tamim also highlighted Qatar’s efforts and strategic partnerships with the UN and the international community.

“I urge the development partners to follow the example of Qatar and take the initiative to support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action as part of our humanitarian and development duty towards the peoples of the least developed countries,” he said.

The event has brought together 4,000-5,000 participants at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Over the next five days in Doha, government leaders and other stakeholders are set to assess the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action, adopted at a precursor UN conference held in Türkiye in 2011, and mobilise additional international support and action for the world’s 46 least developed countries.