Operating within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCCC), the group aims to amplify their voices in global climatic talks, where their distinct vulnerabilities have long been overlooked.
Disproportionate climate risks
Although LLDCRepresenting around 12% of the terrestrial surface in the world, they have experienced almost 20% of droughts and landslides in the world in the last decade – highlighting their disproportionate exposure to disasters linked to the climate.
Lacking access to the sea, these countries are counting strongly on neighboring public transport states, which further increases their vulnerability to the disturbances induced by the climate.
THE Awaza action program is not the world’s leading framework to meet the development needs of the LLDC, but for the first time, such a action plan includes a strong emphasis on adaptation to disasters related to the climate.
A call for resilience and preparation
Natalia Alonso Cano, head of the United Nations Office for Risk Reduction of Catastrophe (UNDRR) Regional office for Europe and Central Asia, underlined it in an interview with UN News.
The LLDC, she said, face overlapping risks: more than half of their territory is classified as a dry area; Many are in mountainous regions; And some sit in active seismic areas.
“The landlocked countries in general, they suffer about three times the economic losses compared to the global average,” she said. “In addition, mortality rates [when disasters strike these countries] much higher than the global average. Such a big difference explained by a combination of this vulnerability, but also a combination of exacerbating impacts. »»
Limited capacity, growing challenges
Developing countries without coastline often find it difficult to respond to climatic challenges due to limited financial capacity, dependence on indironed economies and based on raw materials and low governance. In 2024, a third of LLDCs were in conflict or considered unstable.
The new UN Action Plan at 10 years aims to support LLDC in climate adaptation, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
“We know that early alert saves lives. It’s a fact, ”said Alonso Cano. “When you can communicate with the affected communities that something will happen and they have to prepare – to evacuate, for example – they have to do certain things. If they know what they should do, this is part of the early alert system. Obviously, it saves lives, and it also saves the means of subsistence. ”
She gave an example of preparation for drought: “If there [is] A systemic drought in an area, you work in preparation with communities, they can, for example, take certain measures, perhaps reduce the quantity of cattle in the case of this, they can come together to water points, etc. There are a number of measures to remedy it. »»
Ms. Alonso Cano underlined the need for long -term planning: “We must take into account what will happen in 10, 20, 30 years. And climate change will become more extreme – we know it with certainty. ”
Women and girls at the forefront
Within the LLDC, women and girls are particularly at risk, which makes kind a key concern during the events of Thursday to LLDC3 in Awaza. A highlight was a Women Leaders ForumOpened by the UN under-Secretary General Rabab Fatima, who stressed that sustainable development cannot be carried out without the full participation of women and girls.
Ms. Fatima, the upper representative of the least developed countries, developing countries without coastline and the developing states of small islands, have noted progress in the past 25 years: women now occupy a third of parliamentary seats in LLDC, compared to only 7.8% in 2000.
“This is greater than the global average,” she said, adding that 11 of the 54 speakers in the world parliament come from the LLDC.
Persistent gender gaps
However, challenges remain. “The progress is uneven and far too slow. One in four women in the LLDC lives in extreme poverty – which represents nearly 75 million women; And almost half – about 150 million – face food insecurity. ”
Employment statistics show large disparities between the sexes. While 80% of LLDC women work informally, without contracts or protections, the global average is 56%. One in three girls in LLDCs get married early – near the double of the world rate – and only one in three ends secondary education. In addition, only 36% of women in these countries have internet access.
“This is why gender -sensitive industrial and development policies are so important,” said Ms. Fatima. “These policies must be adapted to national contexts and industrial development in rural areas, business support, employment formalization and reinforced partnerships must be priorities.”
Digital inclusion for women and girls
She also called for improving internet access and education for women and girls.
The International Telecommunications Union (Itu), a non -specialized agency, meets these challenges.
Dr. Cosmasin Zavazava, director of the UIT telecommunications development office, said UN News That, although certain regions such as the CIs have reached gender parity in Internet access, LLDCs are always faced with major obstacles.
“This is why we have developed special programs for women and girls in this region,” he said. “It is not only a question of access, but also the skills in coding of the building and the presentation of girls in areas like robotics. Our programs aim to motivate young women and girls to pursue careers in the STEM sectors. ”
Turning for action
While the Awaza conference approaches its conclusion, participants should reaffirm their political commitment to the Awaza action program on Friday, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
The time has come for the implementation – or as Rabab Fatima said, a high representative: “Whether this forum is a turning point.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
