Doha Political Declaration

Doha Political Declaration adopted by world leaders to fast-track progress in least-developed countries.

The world leaders adopted the ‘Doha Political Declaration after the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).
The declaration delivered by the head of the nations is a crucial conclusion of the second phase of the LDC5 conference conducted.
It was under the subject “From Potential to Prosperity” in Qatar from March 5-9, 2023.
With less than eight years until the Sustainable Development Goals are met.
The declaration focuses on executing the Doha Plan of Action (DPoA).

About
- It is a crucial conclusion of the second phase of the LDC5 conference conducted under “From Potential to Prosperity” in Qatar.
- The proclamation commended the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) and vigorously vowed to implement it over the next decade.
- The declaration also asked the Secretary-General of the UN to guarantee full mobilisation.
- As well as coordination of all sections of the UN system to support the coordinated execution of the Doha Plan of Action.
Need for the Declaration
- Several problems, like;
  - The Covid-19 pandemic
  - The Climate Crisis
  - Rising inequalities
  - Rising debt burdens
  - Economic shocks are wreaking havoc on the 46 LDCs.
- They have contributed little to CO2 emissions yet bear a disproportionate share of climate change repercussions.
- These countries, including 33 African states, face high debt costs and insufficient liquidity to offer basic services.
- According to the Sustainable Development Report 2022, LDCs are the weakest performers in terms of progress towards SDG achievement.

About
- It is a 10-year plan to get the world’s 46 most vulnerable countries back on track to meet the SDGs.
- DPoA for the Decade (2022-2031) was agreed upon during the first part of the LDC5 conference in March 2022 in New York, the US.
- The DPoA (2022-2031) had six key focus areas;
  - Eradicating poverty
  - Taking advantage of science and technology’s possibilities.
  - Taking action to combat climate change.
  - Degradation of the environment.
  - Getting over the COVID-19 epidemic.
  - Increasing resilience to future shocks to achieve risk-informed sustainable development.

About
- They are the UN-designated underdeveloped countries with the poorest socioeconomic metrics.
- The concept emerged in the late 1960s and was codified in November 1971 by UN Resolution 2768.
- According to the UN, an LDC is defined as “a country that exhibits;
  - The lowest indicators of socioeconomic development
  - Low levels of income
  - Human capital and economic diversification
  - High levels of economic vulnerability
  - A population disproportionately reliant on agriculture, natural resources, and primary commodities.”
- The UN defines three criteria for classifying a country as an LDC:
  - It must have a three-year average gross national income (GNI) per capita of less than USD 1,230.
  - It must do poorly on a composite human assets index considering nutrition, health, and education variables.
  - The country must show economic vulnerability, such as vulnerability to natural calamities and structural economic restrictions.
- The UN reviews countries every three years and requires them to meet a selection of all three criteria simultaneously.

Being designated as an LDC provides some economic benefits to the listed country.
LDCs also have duty-free, and quota-free (DFQF) access to developed-country markets.
- This means LDCs are not hampered by trade restrictions or tariffs when exporting commodities to wealthier nations.
- This is a big benefit for LDCs since it allows them to expand their exports and get access to new markets.
- Additionally, it can help their economic development.
LDCs are also eligible for development loans with preferential terms, such as lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than other nations.
- The terms “Official Development Assistance” (ODA) or “aid” are commonly used to denote this type of assistance.
- This money is designed to assist LDCs in meeting their basic needs.
- In addition, it promotes sustainable economic growth and development and combats poverty.

India has consistently strongly advocated for the world’s least developed countries.
The country has addressed issues confronting the developing and underdeveloped worlds at the UN and other international organisations.
India has taken the initiative to arrange the “Voice of the Global South Summit,”.
- It demonstrates its commitment to developing and underprivileged nations.
This is also evident in India’s current G20 leadership.
Furthermore, it has raised challenges impacting poor and emerging economies on various platforms for tangible actions to be made to give solutions.

Graduating from LDC status is a significant accomplishment but can be a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, it indicates that a country has accomplished tremendous economic and social progress.
And it may introduce new obstacles and hazards, as the nation may lose access to some of the trade-related benefits and assistance it received as an LDC.

Pic Courtesy: Down to Earth

Content Source: Down to Earth