Compiled By: Edmund C. Gbarwee/Nimba D-9 TV Public Health Reporter/ nimbad9tv2018@gmail.com /+231778070604
Doha, Qatar: – The 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) took place in Doha, Qatar, from 5 to 9 March 2023.
It aims to mobilize international community’s commitments towards the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs (2022-2031) adopted by the UN General Assembly in April 2022. It will offer the opportunity for a renewed partnership between LDCs and their development partners to overcome structural challenges, eradicate poverty, achieve internationally agreed development goals and enable graduation from the LDC category.
UNESCO focused its presence and interventions during the Conference, by voicing its commitment to the implementation in the following priorities and areas of action of the DPoA:
- Investing in human potential in the LDCs, in all UNESCO’s areas of competence, advancing gender equality, empowering youth and leaving no one behind;
- Leveraging the power of Science, Technology and Innovation, addressing climate change and supporting the environment;
- Harnessing the potential of culture and cultural industries for sustainable development in the LDCs.
The Deputy Director-General will represent the Director-General at the Conference and will also attend the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Event ‘A Decade of UN Action to Support the LDCs’ on 4 March 2023.
Hon. Johnson N. Gwaikolo, of Nimba County Electoral District Nine (9), Nimba County, representing Liberia, spoke on the devastating effects of climate change, especially on Least Developed Countries. He said, “There is scientific evidence that emissions from use of fossil fuel destroy the ozone layer which causes global temperature to go high; thereby causing severe changes in climatic conditions”. Hon. Gwaikolo furthered said there must be “A shift away from use of fossil fuel to renewable energy in order to save the world”. He then called on Parliamentarians and their respective Parliamentary bodies to take appropriate Legislative actions to encourage investment in renewable energy. He further informed his global Legislative Colleagues that Liberia has granted tax waiver on importation of renewable energy implements in support of green energy.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarians from Least Developed Countries (LDC) convened in Doha, Qatar at the UN Convention on Least Developed Countries to push for the scaling up of commitments and actions of governments and enhancing international cooperation and collaboration towards accelerating the just and equitable transformation of energy systems.
The 54th Legislature delegation were, Hon. Johnson N. Gwaikolo of Nimba County Electoral District Nine(9) and Hon. Isaac Roland of Maryland County Electoral District Three (3) including other civil society actors and media practitioners amongst others.
