UN-OHRLLS
The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
UN-OHRLLS was established in 2001 and today serves 92 vulnerable states. The 44 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), 32 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and 39 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are facing their own unique sets of challenges in achieving sustainable development and internationally agreed goals.
UN-OHRLLS mobilizes international support and advocate in favour of the three vulnerable country groups. It raises awareness about the economic, social and environmental potential that exists in these countries and ensures that the pressing needs of the 1.1 billion people who live in them, remain high on the international agenda.
UN-OHRLLS is committed to working with all relevant partners to support LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. It helps to coordinate the UN system in implementing three respective programmes of action for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. Aside from national governments and their development partners, UN-OHRLLS also works with civil society, media, academia, and foundations to support the sustainable development aspirations of the three country groups.
The annual State of the Least Developed Countries report focuses the global debate on key development issues, innovative analysis and policy recommendations for LDC governments and development partners.
In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UN-OHRLLS has established a network of National Focal Points to ensure there is coherence between the international agenda and national efforts to drive change.
At United Nations Headquarters in New York, UN-OHRLLS helps facilitate group consultations for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS as well as partnering to convene focused events around thematic development issues.
The Office of the High Representative
- Assists the Secretary-General in mobilizing and coordinating the United Nations system, in the implementation, follow-up and monitoring of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries at the country, regional and global levels;
- Provides support to the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly in assessing progress and in conducting the annual review of the implementation of the Programme of Action;
- Supports the coordinated follow-up of the implementation of the programmes of action for Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States;
- Advocates in favour of the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in partnership with the United Nations system as well as with: civil society, media, academia and foundations;
- Assists in mobilizing international support and resources for the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States;
- Supports group consultations of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Programmes of Action
Each group of countries — Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States — has its own Programme of Action which guides the development work of countries, states, their partners, UN-OHRLLS and the stakeholders. Every 10 years each Programme is reviewed to reflect current development trends and the goals of each group for the next decade.