Summit for least developed countries kicks start in Antalya

ANTALYA

A comprehensive “midterm review” of the implementation of the Istanbul Program of Action (IPoA) for the Least Developed Countries was launched in Turkey’s Mediterranean city of Antalya on May 27, with the participation of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) General Director Helen Clark. 

The summit, which is hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Gyan Chandra Acharya, the under-secretary-general and high representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, will continue until May 29 in Antalya. 

The summit brings together all stakeholders of the IPoA, representatives from governments, the private sector, multilateral organizations, civil society, and academia.

The high-level midterm review aims to conclude with an inter-governmentally negotiated and agreed political declaration.

The top representatives of the states attending the summit all posed for a collective photo before the opening ceremony, while Çavuşoğlu, Clark and Acharya held a joint press conference after the opening of the summit on May 27.