Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Qatar’s Emir Tamim Bin Hamad on the sidelines of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha. The leaders discussed both nations’ bilateral relationship and mutual interests in promoting peace and development in the region while strengthening the long-standing ties between Somalia and Qatar.
During the conference, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced a $60 million contribution to the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (DPoA) for the next decade. The leaders also talked about accelerating Qatar’s programs in Somalia, and the President welcomed anyone who stands with their country.
The LDC summit is a meeting of world leaders who aim to create a roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals for the world’s most vulnerable and poorest countries, including those facing significant challenges such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to education and healthcare services. The summit, which is held every ten years, has been delayed twice since 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The conference aims to lift 100 million people out of poverty, assist 500 million in accessing clean, affordable energy, and unlock over US$1 trillion in public and private investment in the SDGs. The outcomes of the conference will be shared with the international community.
The Doha Programme of Action proposes an ambitious agenda for LDCs, with a particular emphasis on digital transitions, innovation, and structural transformation, and a unique role for youth. Adopted last year, the DPoA aims to bring the 46 most vulnerable countries back under the global spotlight. It includes six key focus areas:
1. Investing in people in the least developed countries.
2. Leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation.
3. Supporting structural transformation.
4. Enhancing international trade.
5. Addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
6. Mobilizing international solidarity to march towards sustainable graduation.
