By: Rezina Tuladhar

23 September 2024, NewYork In a powerful address at the Summit of the Future, Prime Minister KP Oli as the Chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) expressed deep gratitude to the Secretary-General for organizing this historic event. The Chair highlighted the urgent challenges facing LDCs, particularly the plight of millions of hungry children.

“Where is our future when millions of our children go hungry?” Prime Minister Oli asked, emphasizing the stark reality of malnourishment and illiteracy among youth. The statement condemned the stark inequalities between the extreme poverty experienced by many in LDCs and the wealth accumulation of a small minority worldwide.

Prime Minister Oli pointed out the severe economic challenges faced by LDCs, including unmet Official Development Assistance (ODA) and climate financing commitments, insufficient international support, and spiraling debt distress. “Global financial and trading regimes remain fundamentally unfavorable to LDCs,” Prime Minister Oli says, warning that the growing digital divide threatens to leave these nations further behind.

Despite contributing only 3.3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, LDCs are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. The Chair called for immediate action to address these injustices, urging the international community to prioritize coordinated, science-based policies that center on LDCs.

In welcoming the “Pact for the Future,” Prime Minister Oli described it as a manifesto for future generations and a renewed commitment to multilateralism. The adoption of the ‘Declaration on the Future Generation’ and the ‘Global Digital Compact’ was also praised, with a call for effective implementation to ensure the well-being of people and the planet.

Prime Minister Oli emphasized the importance of investing in rural development, education, and health, and called for the creation of sustainable social protection systems. “Let us create a peaceful environment conducive to equitable, sustainable, and prosperous development for all,” Prime Minister Oli concluded, reaffirming the commitment of LDCs to implement the summit’s outcomes and calling for meaningful partnerships to achieve prosperity.