Least Developed Countries (LDCs) continue to face persistent structural challenges that constrain their progress towards sustainable development. Limited productive capacity, imadequate infrastructure, restricted access to affordable finance, high debt vulnerabilities and limited integration into global trade and investment flows continue to hinder economic diversification, job creation and resilience. These challenges are compounded by a widening development financing gap and declining official development assistance, placing greater pressure on the international community to identify sustainable and innovative approaches to financing development.
The scale of the challenge is significant. Developing countries face an estimated annual financing gap of USD 4 trillion to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which could increase to USD 6.4 trillion by 2030. At the same time, official development assistance from OECD Development Assistance Committee members declined by 23.1% in real terms in 2025, further underscoring the need to mobilise additional sources of finance, strengthen international cooperation and make more effective use of available resources.
In response, the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022–2031 was launched at the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), held in Doha, Qatar, in March 2023. The DPoA provides a framework for accelerating sustainable development, strengthening productive capacities and building resilience in LDCs. As the international community prepares for the DPoA Midterm Review, scheduled to take place in Doha from 25 to 27 March 2027, there is an important opportunity to assess progress, address persistent implementation gaps and identify the partnerships, investments and policy measures needed to advance its commitments, enhancing resilience and supporting the sustainable graduation of LDCs.
Against this backdrop, the high-level roundtable, convened jointly by the State of Qatar, through Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), and the World Trade Organization’s Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), in collaboration with OHRLLS and UNCTAD, will bring together ministers and senior representatives from LDC governments, international organisations, development finance institutions, development partners and the private sector. The discussion will examine how strategic partnerships, innovative financing, and trade- and investment-led approaches can advance LDC priorities, strengthen economic resilience and translate development commitments into tangible outcomes, while contributing to the preparatory dialogue for the Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA).