27 February 2017 GENEVA - The Philippines, in its capacity as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), called for unity with Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the implementation of a holistic approach emphasizing the balance of the three pillars of sustainable development.
Philippine Permanent Mission First Secretary Raphael Hermoso delivered a strong statement in support of the LDCs on behalf of the ASEAN at the the 64th Executive Session of the Trade and Development Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held recently at the Palais des Nations.
“If the LDCs are to meet the recently agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) then a holistic approach needs to be adopted emphasizing the balance of the three pillars of sustainable development. It is important to identify priority areas whereby complementarities could be enhanced, particularly in the areas such as reducing poverty and hunger, tackling inequalities and promoting women empowerment, fostering sustainable economic growth and equitable social development, protecting the environment, ensuring peoples’ access to clean water and clean air, minimizing the adverse impact of climate change, and building effective institutions to achieve sustainable and inclusive development for all, especially the LDCs,” said First Secretary Hermoso.
“ASEAN believes that a global partnership is necessary, particularly in mobilizing the means of implementation. Enhanced cooperation in science and technology development as well as capacity building, including but not limited to, strengthening statistical capacity will be needed to assist developing countries including the LDCs,” he added.
The UNCTAD organizes yearly meetings that focus on the status of the LDCs and how they are progressing in terms of their economic development. The UNCTAD Secretariat publishes a detailed yearly report called the “Least Developed Countries Report.” The 2016 edition was called, “The Path to Graduation and Beyond: Making the Most of the Process.”
Among the ASEAN countries, three are considered LDCs and these are Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. ASEAN members have been promoting growth and regional integration through its Economic Community and the Blueprint 2025. There is also the program known as the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, which is intended to narrow the development gap between the members. UNCTAD for its part has been assisting LDCs by providing policy advice and recommendations in publications such as the annual LDCs Report and through its technical cooperation pillar.
A country is considered least developed based on low income, human resource weakness, and economic vulnerability. There are 48 countries that are considered least developed and they are found in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Philippines, as a lower Middle Income Country, has been championing the cause of LDCs given the need for all countries to meet the 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs that were agreed upon in 2015. END