BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a58c8c084777 DTSTART:20251021T063000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20251021T080000Z LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:UNCTAD16 ministerial meeting of the group of least developed countr ies CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Since 1971\, the United Nations has recognized least developed countries (LDCs) as a category of member states that face important challe nges to their development process\, due to structural\, historical and geo graphical reasons.The current group of 44 LDCs faces important structural constraints and multiple challenges that leave them vulnerable to economic shocks and limit progress towards sustainable development.LDCs continue t o face a challenging global context\, including the lingering impacts of t he COVID-19 pandemic\, intensifying climate change\, geopolitical tensions \, supply chain disruptions\, global price fluctuations and tightening int ernational financing conditions.Against this background\, it is clear that LDCs will require additional support to build their resilience\, achieve the targets of the Doha Programme of Action and reach the Sustainable Deve lopment Goals.OutcomeThe ministerial meeting of LDCs will enable the group to come together to advocate for their priorities and affirm a common vis ion. It is expected to result in the adoption of a ministerial declaration \, which will also feature as part of the UNCTAD16 Outcome.ParticipationTh e ministerial meeting will be attended by ministers and high-level officia ls from LDCs. Their participation in this meeting and in UNCTAD16 is mad e possible with the support of the Government of Finland.Opening remarks: Rebeca Grynspan\, Secretary-General\, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) h ttps://um.fi/ministry"\; target="\;_blank"\; title="\;Mini stry for Foreign Affairs of Finland\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps:/ /unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-meeting-group-least-developed-countries DTSTAMP:20260716T120416Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR