High-Level Midterm Review of Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for LDCs for the Decade Prerna Bomzan Advocacy Co-ordinator

Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs for the Decade (IPoA) The IPoA was adopted at the Fourth UN Conference on the LDCs (LDC-IV) in Istanbul, Turkey in May The IPoA is a renewed and strengthened global partnership for development succeeding the Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs for the Decade (BPoA), adopted at the Third UN Conference on the LDCs (LDC-III) in Brussels, Belgium in May The overarching goal of the IPoA is “to overcome the structural challenges faced by least developed countries in order to eradicate poverty, achieve internationally agreed development goals and enable graduation from the least developed country category”. The IPoA is based on commitments, accountability and partnership between LDCs and development partners to undertake concrete measures in 8 priority areas for action.

Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs for the Decade (IPoA) The IPoA is based on commitments, accountability and partnership between LDCs and development partners to undertake concrete measures in 8 priority areas for action. In addition to development partners, developing countries are also called upon to contribute to the implementation of the IPoA within the context of South- South cooperation as a complement to, but not a substitute for North-South cooperation.

8 Priority Areas for Action 1. Productive capacity: Infrastructure; Energy; Science, technology and innovation; Private sector development 2. Agriculture, food security and rural development 3. Trade 4. Commodities 5. Human and social development: Education and training; Population and primary health; Youth development; Shelter; Water and sanitation; Gender equality and empowerment of women; Social protection 6. Multiple crises and other emerging challenges : Economic shocks; Climate change and environmental sustainability; Disaster Risk Reduction 7. Mobilizing financial resources for development and capacity- building: Domestic Resource Mobilization; Official Development Assistance; External debt;Foreign Direct Investment; Remittances 8. Good governance at all levels

8 Principles of IPoA Following 8 principles will guide the implementation of the IPoA: 1.country ownership and leadership 2.integrated approach 3.genuine partnership and solidarity 4.result orientation 5.peace and security, development and human rights 6.equity 7.voice and representation 8.balanced role of the State and market.

High-level Midterm Review of IPoA Paragraph 157 of the IPoA invites the UN General Assembly to consider conducting a comprehensive high-level midterm review of the implementation of the IPoA. In December 2014, UNGA adopts Resolution A/69/231 and decides that the comprehensive high-level midterm review: (a) Shall be held, on an exceptional basis, in Antalya, Turkey, for a period of three days in June 2016, consisting of opening and closing plenary meetings and four additional plenary meetings, as well as four parallel thematic round-table meetings; (b) Shall be held at the highest possible political level; (c) Shall result in an intergovernmentally negotiated and agreed outcome in the form of a political declaration; (d) Shall ensure that the summaries of the plenary meetings and other deliberations of the review are included in the report of the review

Mandate of the Midterm Review of IPoA The scope of the midterm review has been mandated as follows: (a) To undertake a comprehensive review of the implementation of the IPoA by LDCs and their development partners, share best practices and lessons learned, and identify obstacles and constraints encountered and actions and initiatives needed to overcome them, as well as new challenges and emerging issues. (b) To reaffirm the global commitment to address the special needs of the LDCs made at the LDC-IV and to further strengthen the global partnership for development for LDCs in all priority areas of the IPoA in order to ensure the timely, effective and full implementation of the IPoA during the remainder of the decade, while taking into account the post-2015 development agenda as it relates to LDCs.

Mandate of the Midterm Review of IPoA The UN Office of the High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS (UN-OHRLLS) has been designated as the focal point, with the responsibility to ensure that the preparations are carried out effectively and efficiently and to mobilize and coordinate the active involvement of the organizations of the United Nations system. The comprehensive high-level midterm review and its preparatory process shall be open to participation by all States Members of the United Nations or States members of specialized agencies and observers in the General Assembly. All stakeholders of the IPoA should be able to participate in the process.

Civil Society’s Role in the Global Partnership, Implementation, Follow-up & Monitoring Paragraph 17 of the Istanbul Political Declaration calls on civil society to enhance its role in the development efforts of the LDCs. It also recognises the Civil Society Forum Declaration of the LDC-IV. LDC Watch was mandated by the Office of the UN Secretary-General to globally co-ordinate the LDC-IV civil society track leading up to a parallel Civil Society Forum which adopted the Civil Society Forum Declaration. Paragraph 13 of the IPoA encourages civil society to contribute to the implementation of the IPoA in its respective areas of competence in line with the national priorities of the LDCs. Paragraph 39 of the IPoA recognises the complementary role of civil society and states that civil society will be involved in policy dialogue to ensure a participatory and inclusive development process in LDCs. Paragraph 155 of the IPoA calls on the UN-OHRLLS to continue its awareness-raising and advocacy work in favour of LDCs in partnership with civil society as one of the stakeholders.

Civil Society’s Role in the Global Partnership, Implementation, Follow-up & Monitoring PLEASE URGE YOUR GOVERNMENT: 1. To align and incorporate graduation strategy into national development plans. 2. To ensure national civil society engagement in the implementation, follow-up and monitoring of the IPoA as per concluding Section VII of the IPoA. 3. To ensure accountability of developed partners vis-à-vis their responsibility and commitment as agreed in the IPoA: finance, technology transfer, policy coherence. 4. To ensure that key global processes such as the SDGs/Post-2015 development agenda, UNFCCC and WTO negotiations are in the interests of the LDCs and its peoples, with a focus on graduation. 5. To share the Midterm Review National Report (to be submitted to UN-OHRLLS by November 30,2015) with civil society for public opinion.

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