Mainstreaming Toolkit of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries

The aim of the Mainstreaming Toolkit is to support the ongoing efforts of organizations of the UN system in effectively mainstreaming the provisions of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) into their work programmes. To a very important extent, the Programme of Action has been recognized and emphasized by Member States in their articulation of Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.  This is an auspicious time for the United Nations system to strengthen its collaborative efforts to ensure that no country or person is left behind

The IPoA, which was adopted by the Fourth UN Conference on LDCs in 2011, sets out an ambitious plan for the decade through 2020 to ensure that the tremendous human and natural resource potential of the LDCs is realized and brought fully to bear on ensuring peace, prosperity and sustainable development for all (see A/CONF.219/3/Rev.1). The Programme of Action represents the enhanced commitments of the LDCs, which have the ownership of and primary responsibility for their own development, and their development partners, to a renewed and strengthened global partnership. This partnership involves the UN system, including the Bretton Woods institutions, other multilateral institutions and regional development banks, within their respective mandates.

The Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) has institutionalized system-wide support to the implementation of the IPoA within the framework of the Inter-agency Consultative Group on LDCs (IACG). The IACG is convened regularly to build synergies among UN system and other international organizations in the implementation of the IPoA, and to enhance the scope and effectiveness of their support to the LDCs.

As called for in the Programme of Action, OHRLLS is required to report regularly to ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly on progress by all stakeholders in the implementation of the IPoA. In a series of resolutions, Member States have emphasized the critical contributory role of the UN system. General Assembly resolutions 67/220, 68/224 and 69/231 called for the UN Secretary-General to appropriately integrate the work of the IACG within the framework of the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), in order to ensure necessary coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the Programme of Action on a system-wide basis, and also to include implementation of the IPoA as a standing item on the agenda of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB). This underscores the view among Member States that the full implementation of the Programme of Action will require its mainstreaming by organizations of the UN system, including by maintaining constant visibility of the issues and concerns of LDCs at the highest levels.

Download the mainstreaming toolkit

OHRLLS is in the process of creating an online platform that will enhance the accessibility of the information contained in the toolkit. In the meantime, please feel free to contact OHRLLS for updating the information contained in the toolkit or for any question or comment. Contact details are provided below.

Contact details:

Mr. Tomás González, OHRLLS, Programme Officer, email: gonzalezt@un.org

Mr. Abdul Alim, OHRLLS, Senior Programme Officer, email: alim1@un.org