LDC Watch

LDC Watch is a global network of national, regional and international civil society organisations (CSOs), alliances and movements based in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), defined by the United Nations (UN). It acts as a coordinating body for LDC civil society to advocate, campaign and network for the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) for LDCs for the Decade 2022-2031 [1]and other Internationally Agreed Development Goals (IADGs) such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the past and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at present.

LDC Watch strives to go beyond the DPoA in addressing poverty, hunger, social injustices and human rights in the LDCs. LDC Watch, therefore, has been raising its voice and articulating its perspectives in a multi-stakeholder framework, engaging with the United Nations, LDC governments and their development partners, both as partner and pressure groups.

LDC Watch has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is accredited to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).[2]

History

LDC Watch evolved out of the NGO Forum process that was held in parallel to the Third UN Conference on LDCs (LDC-III) in Brussels in 2001.[3] By the end of the decade, LDC Watch firmly established its position as the foremost representative of LDC civil society. The Office of the UN Secretary-General mandated LDC Watch, as its civil society partner, to globally coordinate the civil society track towards and at the LDC-IV, which culminated with a parallel Civil Society Forum. The Civil Society Forum Declaration is acknowledged in Paragraph 17 of the Istanbul Political Declaration.

At the present, it has been continuing its policy advocacy and campaigns towards monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the DPoA as well as defending the interests of the LDCs mainly in the international trade (World Trade Organisation), climate (UNFCCC) and Post-2015/SDGs negotiations.[4]

Vision

LDC Watch envisions a world - free of LDCs - fully enjoying justice, dignity, peace and human rights.[5]

Mission

LDC Watch aims to draw on the strength, expertise and commitment of LDC civil society to engage with their governments and the international community towards effective implementation of the IPoA including other IADGs such as the newly adopted SDGs.[6]

Objectives
  • To increase awareness on the DPoA and its implementation, with LDC and global civil society, parliamentarians, LDC governments and development partners, the UN system, international organisations, multilateral institutions and the media, as relevant stakeholders.
  • To enhance the capacity of LDC civil society to effectively advocate, campaign and network with relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the IPoA.
  • To promote increased attention and delivery of the specific commitments to LDCs in the global development processes and other IADGs, such as the SDGs, the Financing for Development (FfD), and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC), South-South Cooperation, the UNFCCC and the WTO.
  • To build and expand the LDC Watch network as a stronger representative of LDC civil society.
  • To enhance alliance-building and networking with global civil society, in the South and North, for effective advocacy and campaigns toward LDC-specific global commitments.[7]

Key Advocacy and Campaigns of LDC Watch
  • Towards a World Free of LDCs: IPoA & Graduation
  • NO SDGs without LDCs!
  • Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice
  • Fair Trade NOT Free Trade
  • Right to Food Sovereignty
  • Full and Unconditional Cancellation of LDC Debt[8]

Organization of LDC Watch

LDC Watch is managed by a steering committee comprising members from LDC CSOs in Nepal, Cambodia, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, Belgium and Democratic Republic of the Congo representing development partner country CSOs. The alliance is coordinated by an international secretariat with support from the European Co-ordination Office and three regional focal points.

The international secretariat is hosted by Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) in Kathmandu, Nepal while the European Co-ordination Office is located in Brussels, Belgium.

References
  1. "Doha Programme of Action | 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5)". www.un.org. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. "AboutUs-LDCWatch". LDC Watch.
  3. Nations, United. "Conferences | Least Developed Countries". United Nations. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  4. "AboutUs-LDCWatch". LDC Watch.
  5. "AboutUs-LDCWatch".
  6. "AboutUs-LDCWatch". LDC Watch.
  7. "AboutUs-LDCWatch". LDC Watch.
  8. "AboutUs-LDCWatch". LDC Watch.
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