The Group of 77 and China call for a decisive transformation towards sustainable industrialization of Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

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Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the International Organizations in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, speaking on Saturday in Riyadh on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (a bloc that brings together 134 UN member states), affirmed the Group’s determination to ensure a decisive transformation in favor of sustainable development and to irreversibly advance all Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

This statement was made during the 11th LDC Ministerial Conference, organized under the theme “Accelerating inclusive industrialization: Investment, Innovation and Partnerships in LDCs”. The Ambassador stressed that the Group is ready to deepen its cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and all partners to ensure that the next decade is one of irreversible transformation. UNIDO, as detailed in its Operational Strategy 2022-2031 for LDCs, and highlighted the importance of its Global Implementation Plan to accelerate the translation of ambitions into concrete actions

The Group particularly welcomed UNIDO’s contributions in the six key areas of the Program Doha Action Plan, Regarding “Investment in Human Resources”, the Group recommended intensifying UNIDO’s efforts, with emphasis on digital literacy and aligning training programs with the requirements of green and digital economies, For “Leveraging science, technology and innovation”, it was requested to strengthen support for access and adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, as well as promote cooperation South-South

Emphasis was also placed on « Supporting structural transformation », with a call to increase investment in agribusiness and support the development of regional value chains,As for « Strengthening international trade », the Group recommended extending assistance for compliance with international standards and better exploitation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Finally, as part of the « Fight against climate change », Mr. Farhane stressed the need to increase support for adaptation technologies, access to climate finance, and the management of restrictive trade measures related to the environment, including carbon border tax mechanisms. He also called on UNIDO to strengthen partnerships with international financial institutions to mobilize resources and support innovative financing for the benefit of LDCs