By: Robert
Kwaku Annor
The UN Technology Bank for
the Least Developed Countries has called for stronger productive capacities
through economic diversification, value addition, digitalisation and sustained
support to expand export competitiveness across the world’s 44 least developed
countries (LDCs).
The call was made at the
10th Global Review of Aid for Trade in Geneva, where the UN Office of the High Representative
for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small
Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), in partnership with the World Trade
Organization’s Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), convened a plenary session
titled “Delivering trade impact for LDCs: What works, what’s next?”
Speaking at the session,
Roland Mollerus, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank and Acting High
Representative of UN-OHRLLS, highlighted progress in trade facilitation,
regional integration and LDC participation in global trade.
He emphasised the need to
strengthen productive capacities to help countries translate trade
opportunities into sustainable economic growth and improve their
competitiveness in global markets.
For countries approaching
graduation from LDC status, Mollerus said early preparation and smooth
transition support, including through the Sustainable Graduation Support
Facility (iGRAD), are essential to sustaining development gains and
strengthening competitiveness.
As preparations advance
towards the 2027 Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action, strengthening
productive capacities, harnessing technology and deepening integration into
global markets remain critical to advancing sustainable development across the
44 LDCs.
The UN Technology Bank
reaffirmed its commitment to supporting LDCs in leveraging science, technology
and innovation to build productive capacities and foster inclusive and
sustainable development.
