Turkey’s relations with the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have accelerated in recent years in many areas ranging from the trade volume to political dialogue mechanisms, from educational activities to economic investments and development.
In the context of relations building on the basis of “equal partnership and mutual benefit”, Turkey aims to blend in one melting pot her advantages and the potential of LDCs. To that end, Turkey mobilizes in sincerity and courage all her means and facilities wherever needed.
The Fourth United Nations Conference on LDCs (LDC-IV) was hosted in Istanbul on 9-13 May 2011. The Conference adopted the Istanbul Programme of Action elaborating the actions both in the relevant countries and in the international arena for the development of LDCs. The priority objective of the Istanbul Programme of Action is to eliminate poverty in 48 LDCs which have a total population of approximately one billion.
The document acknowledges and strengthens cooperation and partnership commitments of the international community for LDCs, noting in detail the framework of cooperation and responsibilities of the UN system, such international organizations as World Bank, IMF and WTO, developed countries as development partners, the countries in the context of South-South cooperation and LDCs themselves. Setting new goals, the Istanbul Programme of Action is a key guidance instrument for the development partners.
The Istanbul Programme of Action covers all sectors ranging from trade to industry, from tourism to education and health. The Programme features 47 objectives and 246 actions in components that are in line with the structural transformation of LDCs including sustainable economic growth, developing human and productive capacity, reducing economic vulnerability and good governance at all levels.
The Istanbul Programme of Action primarily focuses on enhancing the productive capacities in LDCs and developing investments to that end. The primary focus of the Brussels Programme of Action adopted in the previous LDC conference (Brussels 2001) was on the development of trade (Aid for Trade) and social development. The Istanbul Programme of Action refers to monitoring as a distinct feature compared to the previous ones.