Least Developed Countries

Highlights for Monday, 10 June 2019 L-R: Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, Director, UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS); Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General, Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS); Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs; Co-Chair Isabelle Picco, Monaco; Dmitry Gonchar, UNDOALOS; and Charlotte Salpin, UNDOALOS The twentieth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-20) opened on 10 June 2019 at the UN Headquarters in New York, under the theme, “Ocean Science and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.”In the morning, delegates adopted the meeting agenda and programme of work for ICP-20, to be co-chaired by Isabelle Picco (Monaco) and Pennelope Althea Beckles (Trinidad and Tobago). They heard opening remarks from: Miguel de Serpa Soares, UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, who said the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development provides an opportunity to recognize the value of ocean science in eradicating poverty and supporting blue economy; Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) who highlighted the 2020 High-Level UN Conference to Support the Implementation of SDG14 (life below water) as an opportunity to scale up ocean action based on science and innovation; and Fekitamoeloa Katoa 'Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General, Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), who emphasized the important role of traditional knowledge in enhancing the effectiveness of ocean science. During the general exchange of views, delegates highlighted: the importance of addressing data gaps and gender imbalances in ocean science; ensuring long-term partnerships with developing countries; and ensuring science literacy.Delegates then participated in a panel discussion on scope and uses of, and gaps in, ocean science, which included presentations on: the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development; the global status of ocean science; ocean science and human health; deep sea biological processes; and ocean science in support of sustainable fisheries. During the afternoon break, delegates attended a side event on “UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,” hosted by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, provided daily web updates from the 20th Meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. In addition, IISD Reporting Services, has published a summary and analysis report of the meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General, UN-OHRLLS Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General, UNDESA Co-Chair Isabelle Picco, Monaco Fred Sarufa, Papua New Guinea Craig McLean, US Andrea White, Canada Kane Amandus, Nauru Milind Wakdikar, India Panel Discussion on “Scope and Uses of, and Gaps in, Ocean Science” Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) A slide from Vladimir Ryabinin’s presentation Panelists during the afternoon session John Agard, St. Augustine Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Trinidad and Tobago Hervé Raps, Monaco Scientific Center, Monaco Francisco Werner, NOAA, US Slide from presentation by Francisco Werner, US Silvana Birchenough, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) John Brincat, EU Delegates from Haiti during discussions in the afternoon Panelists from the side event on “UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.” Delegates at the end of the first day of ICP-20

Highlights for Friday, 17 May 2019 Officials celebrate the successful conclusion of the Sixth Global Platform (L-R:) Marwa El-Menshawy, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Stakeholder Mechanism; Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for DRR; Co-Chair Manuel Sager, State Secretary and Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, Switzerland; and Kirsi Madi, Director, UNDRR. The final day of the Sixth 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2019) in Geneva, Switzerland, featured a high-level dialogue and several working sessions, including talks on national and local disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS), and the role of cities in achieving inclusive climate and disaster resilience. High-level dialogue participants discussed how to work towards achieving the international agendas set out in the Sendai Framework for DRR, the Paris Agreement on climate, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a coherent manner, with a strong focus on reducing vulnerability and poverty. Participants observed that urbanization is the defining demographic trend of this century, and requires resilient and inclusive infrastructure. Events of the day culminated in the announcement of the 2019 RISK Award winner, which this year went to Nandan Mukherjee at the University of Dundee, for his work in developing floating homes in Bangladesh. The biennial award recognizes outstanding projects in the field of risk reduction and disaster management, and provides €100,000 for project activities, given by the Munich Re Foundation. Closing the event, Co-Chair Manuel Sager, State Secretary and Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, Switzerland, presented highlights from the Co-Chairs’ summary of the Sixth Global Platform, and offered concluding thoughts on what had been achieved during the week: strong exchanges between the DRR and climate action communities; 50% representation of women on panels; multi-stakeholder participation, including by city mayors; and discussions of “the resilience dividend” that can be achieved through action on DRR. He urged more countries to develop and report on DRR strategies at the national and local levels through the Sendai Framework Monitor, an online tool for reporting and analysis. Co-Chair Mami Mizutori, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), said the 2019 Global Assessment Report sends a clear message that risk is complex and systemic, exacerbates inequality, and preys on the vulnerable. She sounded a call to delegates that “our cause is just and right.” She declared the conference closed at 5:49 PM. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary report from GP2019, which is available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Ángeles Estrada For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page High-Level Dialogue Panelists at the High-Level Dialogue on pursuing coherence between the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement (L-R): Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union; Norbert Barthle, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; Audrey Aumua, Pacific Community; Javier Abugattas Fatule, Head, National Center for Strategic Planning (CEPLAN), Peru; and Koko Warner, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Norbert Barthle, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, and Audrey Aumua, Pacific Community Javier Abugattas Fatule, Head of CEPLAN (National Center for Strategic Planning), Peru; and Koko Warner, UNFCCC Minata Samate Cessouma, African Union Working Sessions Panelists at a working session discuss “Ensuring Coordination in the Development and Implementation of National Risk Reduction Strategies and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)” (L-R): Hana Hamadalla Mohamed, Chair of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group; Emmanuel Guzman, Climate Change Commission, Philippines; and Nazhat Shameem Khan, Fiji. Participants crowd into a meeting room to hear speakers on “Ensuring Coordination in the Development and Implementation of National Risk Reduction Strategies and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).” Panelists address the room at a working session on “Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems: Progress and Challenges to Achieve Target G” (L-R): Peter Felten, Germany; Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO); and Saima Hossain, Shuchona Foundation, Bangladesh Osvaldo Luiz Leal de Moraes, Director of the National Early Warning and Monitoring Centre of Natural Disasters, Brazil Guleid Artan, Director, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and Esline Garaebiti, Vanuatu Panelists address the working session on “Cities on the forefront of achieving inclusive climate and disaster resilience” (L-R): Aromar Revi, Director, Indian Institute for Human Settlements; Farah Kabir, ActionAid, Bangladesh; Sami Kanaan, Mayor of Geneva, Switzerland; Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Jamaica; Cinthia Borjas Valenzuela, Municipality of the Central District of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Maruxa Cardama, Secretary-General, Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SloCaT) Delegates take part in a working session on “Cities on the forefront of achieving inclusive climate and disaster resilience.” Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid, Bangladesh Cinthia Borjas Valenzuela, Municipality of the Central District of Tegucigalpa, Honduras Risk Award Thomas Loster, Chairman, Munich Re Foundation; Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for DRR; and Nandan Mukarjhee, University of Dundee Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of SRSG for DRR Thomas Loster, Chairman, Munich Re Foundation Around the Venue Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union; Audrey Aumua, Pacific Community; Javier Abugattas Fatule, Head, National Center for Strategic Planning (CEPLAN), Peru; Norbert Barthle, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; and Koko Warner, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Participants from Nigeria pose for a photograph (L-R): Luqman Salami, Maryam Yau, Ochanya Ruth Anike, and Mustapha Yunusa. Participants around the venue A 3-D printer on display at the conference venue offers possibilities for making equipment that can be used in emergencies. An exhibit shows the use of 3-D printers in emergencies.

Highlights for Wednesday, 15 May 2019 L-R: Elizabeth Thompson, STI Forum Co-Chair; Inga Rhonda King, ECOSOC President; and Marie Chatardová, STI Forum Co-Chair The second and final day of the Fourth Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) opened with a video message from A Min Tjoa, Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). He briefed the audience on the CSTD’s concurrent work in Geneva, Switzerland, at its 22nd session, noting that participants were highlighting the need to steer technological changes in ways that support inclusiveness and are consistent with the values and principles of the UN.Two panels convened that focused on specific stakeholders’ involvement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): youth and indigenous peoples. A key message emerging from both discussions was the need to move beyond hearing and activating the voices of youth and indigenous peoples to implementing their ideas and making them decision-makers.Other panels focused on specific SDGs and STI, namely SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 10 (reducing inequalities), and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions). On climate, participants underscored the synergies and tradeoffs that exist between climate mitigation options and other SDGs. On inclusive and equitable societies, panelists underscored the importance of collaboration – in research, technology development, and decision-making – to bridge divides and leave no one behind.During the lunch break, a roundtable on STI roadmaps for the SDGs discussed technical aspects of the proposed global pilot programme that will build capacity for creating these roadmaps at the national level.The day concluded with a session on the way forward for the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM), with calls for stronger science-business connection to drive implementation, collaboration between the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the TFM, and making the STI Forum a culmination of intersessional work.UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) President Inga Rhonda King declared the Forum closed at 6:00 pm. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web updates from the STI Forum 2019. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has publish a briefing note, which is available in HTML and PDF. Session 5: A Brighter Future – Youth, Innovation Ecosystems, and Development L-R: Tia Hodges, Senior Program Officer, Citi Foundation; Amollo Ambole, Policy Fellow, Africa Climate Change Leadership Program (AfriCLP), University of Nairobi, Kenya; Khalisah Zulkefli, Biochemist, University of Melbourne, Australia; Elizabeth Thompson, STI Forum Co-Chair; Secretary; and Moderator Heide Hackmann, CEO, International Science Council (and 10-Member Group) Fakhira Najib, Pakistan, presents ‘Broad Class - Listen to Learn’. Anne K Rweyora, Uganda, pitches her innovation, ‘A roof, A skill and A market for Women’. Prince Agbata, Ghana, speaks about his innovation, Coliba Recycling Elizabeth Thompson, STI Forum Co-Chair Khalisah Zulkefli, Biochemist, University of Melbourne, Australia Moderator Heide Hackmann, CEO, International Science Council (and 10-Member Group) Amollo Ambole, AfriCLP, University of Nairobi, Kenya Tia Hodges, Senior Program Officer, Citi Foundation Panelists pose for a picture Session 6: STI for Inclusive and Equitable Societies (SDG 10 and SDG 16) L-R: Elizabeth Thompson, STI Forum Co-Chair; Elizabeth Lockwood, Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities; Bonian Golmohammadi, Secretary-General, 16+ Forum, Sweden; Mahmoud Mohieldin, Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, World Bank; Marie Chatardová, STI Forum Co-Chair; Secretary; Moderator Huadong Guo, Chairman of Academic Committee, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences (and 10-Member Group); and Wilbert Muruke, on behalf of Khadija Malima, Chief Research Officer, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Elizabeth Lockwood, Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities Marie Chatardová, STI Forum Co-Chair Funkola Odeleye, Nigeria, describes her innovation submission, DIYlaw. Nina Tushev, US, speaks about using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to map, monitor and protect indigenous territories. Wilbert Muruke, on behalf of Khadija Malima, Chief Research Officer, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Moderator Huadong Guo, Chairman of Academic Committee, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences (and 10-Member Group) Mahmoud Mohieldin, Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, World Bank Bonian Golmohammadi, Secretary-General, 16+ Forum, Sweden Special Event 2: Roundtable on STI Roadmaps for SDGs - The Technical Perspective L-R: Kenji Suzuki, Senior General Manager, African Division, Toyota Tsusho, Japan; Paulo Correa, Manager, Firm Capability and Innovation Global Unit of the Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice, World Bank; and Dirk Fransaer, Director General, VITO, Belgium Moderator Michiharu Nakamura, Counselor to the President and Advisor for Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (and 10-Member Group), and Motoko Kotani, Executive Member, Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), Prime Minister Cabinet Office, Japan Roundtable participants Session 7: STI for Taking Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts (SDG 13) Matthew Goldberg, US, pitches BioLite HomeStove. Padmanaban Anantha Gopalan, India, calls for No Food Waste. Mikiko Kainuma, Senior Research Advisor, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan Moderator Agnes Lawrence Kijazi, Director General, Tanzania Meteorological Agency (and 10-Member Group Co-Chair) Seth Schultz, Special Advisor to Global Covenant of Mayors on Science & Innovation, and Founder/CEO, Urban Breakthroughs, New York, US Signe Ratso, Deputy Director General, Directorate-General Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission Innovators gather for a photo. L-R: Padmanaban Anantha Gopalan, No Food Waste, India; Christina Dahl Jensen, It’s our forest too, Denmark; and Matthew Goldberg, BioLite HomeStove, US Session 8: Linking STI of Indigenous Peoples, Culture and Traditional Knowledge, and the Achievement of the SDGs Minnie Degawan, Director of Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program, Conservation International Chandra Roy-Henriksen, Chief, Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Freddy Mamani, Aymara architect, Bolivia Moderator José Ramón López-Portillo Romano, Chairman, Q Element Ltd., Mexico (and 10-Member Group) Session 9: Supporting the Implementation of the TFM – The Way Forward for Joint Action L-R: Lynn St. Amour, Chair, Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF); Macharia Kamau, Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya; Elizabeth Thompson, STI Forum Co-Chair; Marie Chatardová, STI Forum Co-Chair; Secretary; Vaughan Turekian, Executive Director, Policy and Global Affairs, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, US (and 10-Member Group Co-Chair); and Joshua Phoho Setipa, Managing Director, Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Lynn St. Amour, Chair, Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group to the IGF Joshua Phoho Setipa, Managing Director, Technology Bank for LDCs Macharia Kamau, Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya Vaughan Turekian, Executive Director, Policy and Global Affairs, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, US (and 10-Member Group Co-Chair) Closing Remarks ECOSOC President Inga Rhonda King delivers closing remarks L-R: Elizabeth Thompson, STI Forum Co-Chair; Marie Chatardová, STI Forum Co-Chair; and Inga Rhonda King, ECOSOC President Around the Venue

Highlights for Wednesday, 15 May 2019 At the opening ceremony, actors from the Theatre Breaking Through Barriers troupe present a dramatization of the Sendai Framework targets, highlighting the importance of Target E on developing national and local strategies for disaster risk reduction (DRR). After two days of preparatory events, the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2019) opened on Wednesday on the theme, “Resilience Dividend: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Societies.”At the welcome plenary in the morning and the opening ceremony at mid-day, speakers from the UN, the World Bank, the host country, and civil society urged attendants to match the stakes of the conference with adequate levels of ambition, which, they noted, takes place at a pivotal historic moment in the fight against climate change.The UN Office for DRR (UNDRR) launched the 2019 Global Assessment Report (GAR). Speakers warned that the increasing intensity of extreme weather events is causing displacement, migration, and conflict. They called for joint action and a focus on the most vulnerable, so as to gain a sustainable “resilience dividend.”Two high-level dialogues, a ministerial roundtable, and various working sessions took place during the day. At the High-Level Dialogue on progress on implementing the Sendai Framework, speakers referred to outcomes from the five regional platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) that took place in 2018. They highlighted statistics on the scope of global risk, with some 265 million individuals having been displaced by disasters since 2008, more than three times as many as displacements caused by conflict. Others discussed the need to further engage with the risks presented by new technologies, and drew attention to the systemic and cascading impacts of risk.In the afternoon, many sessions were packed to capacity. At a Special Session on Women’s Leadership in DRR, panelists discussed the disproportionate impact of disasters on women. At a working session on progress towards the Sendai Framework Implementation, panelists and the audience engaged in a lively discussion on various reporting tools available to track progress on DRR, and on what makes for valid and inclusive data. Other sessions showcased the findings of the GAR 2019, and the actions taken by national and local authorities to promote adoption of DRR strategies that are tailored to realities on the ground. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary report from GP2019, which is available in HTML and PDF. For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Welcome session (L-R): Shaila Shahid, UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism; Laura Tuck, Vice-President for Sustainable Development, World Bank Group (WBG); Manuel Bessler, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for DRR; Petteri Taalas, SG, World Meteorological Organization (WMO); Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) Participants respond to speakers’ remarks at the Welcome Session. (L-R): Mami Mizutori, SRSG for DRR; Petteri Taalas, SG, WMO; and Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, UN-OHRLLS High-Level Dialogues View of the room during the High-Level Dialogue on progress made in implementing the Sendai Framework Malini Mehra, GLOBE International Eduardo José González Angulo, National Disaster Recovery Unit, Colombia Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin, Deputy Prime Minister, Mongolia Panelists at the High-Level Dialogue on progress made in implementing the Sendai Framework Beatrice Marshall, Kenya, and Walid Doudech, Permanent Representative of Tunisia in Geneva Panelists at the High-Level Dialogue on advances in national and local DRR strategies (L-R): Chandran Nair, moderator; Asako Okai, Assistant Secretary General, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Anna Giacometti, Mayor of Bregaglia, Switzerland; Akihiro Nakamura, Vice Minister for Disaster Management, Japan; Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of Caribbean Disaster and Emergency, Management Agency Barbados; and Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President of the Regional Council of Nouakchott, Mauritania Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Indonesia Chandran Nair, moderator Opening Ceremony and Report Launch (L-R): Kirsi Madi, Director, UNDRR; Michael Møller, Director, UN Office at Geneva; Mami Mizutori, SRSG for DRR; Manuel Sage, Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation; Jayathma Wickramanayake, UNSG Special Envoy on Youth; and Manuel Bessler, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Mami Mizutori, SRSG for DRR Manuel Sage, Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation Michael Møller, Director, UN Office at Geneva Jayathma Wickramanayake, UNSG Special Envoy on Youth Nazhat Shameem Khan, Fiji; Mami Mizutori, SRSG for DRR; and Aromar Revi, Director, Indian Institute for Human Settlements Special Session: Women Leadership in DRR (L-R): Saber Hossain, Member of Parliament, Bangladesh; Laura Tuck, Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank; Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland; Mami Mizutori, SRSG for DRR; Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs, African Union; and Dolores Devesi, OXFAM, Solomon Islands Participants in the Special Session consider ways to promote women’s leadership in DRR. Working Sessions Panelists at the Working Session on the Global Assessment Report 2019 (L-R): Juan Pablo Sarmiento, Florida International University; Mandisa Kalako-Williams, former SG, South African Red Cross; Kamal Kishore, National Disaster Management Agency, India; Roger Pulwarty, Director of the National Integrated Drought Information System, United States; and Jacqueline McGlade, University College London and Maasai Mara University, Kenya Panelists at the Working Session on Sendai Framework implementation (L-R): Maria Veronica Bastias, Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction; Marcie Roth, Chief Executive Officer, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies; Kamal Kishore, NDMA, India; Martha Herrera Gonzalez, Global Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, CEMEX; and Mohamed Hassaan Felfel Abdelsameaa, Information and Decision Support Center, Egypt Ministerial Roundtable Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland (center) Ministerial Roundtable participants discuss DRR, climate change, and the SDGs