Foreign ministers from several least developed countries (LDCs) highlighted the challenges they face at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
South Sudan’s James Pitia Morgan pointed to sanctions imposed by global powers and international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank as a major obstacle to development.
He argued that these sanctions hinder LDCs’ ability to access capital and achieve economic growth.
Guinea Bissau’s Carlos Pinto Pereira echoed these concerns, emphasizing the plight of African LDCs. He expressed doubt that these countries can achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Pereira stressed the need for significant investments in infrastructure, particularly in energy, transportation, and communication. He acknowledged the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine but argued that deeper problems existed before these crises.
The Central African Republic’s Sylvie Baipo-Temon added another layer to the challenge. She highlighted the legacy of colonialism and the difficulty of setting independent economic goals. Despite abundant mineral resources like gold, lithium, and cobalt, the Central African Republic struggles with poverty.
Experts at the forum also discussed potential solutions. Sahba Sobhani, director of the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector In Development, pointed to technology as a crucial factor.
His organization, in collaboration with Turkey and the UN Technology Bank, launched a program for students from LDCs to study data science.
Federica Irene Falomi, a member of the UN Technology Bank, emphasized the transfer of expertise and skills alongside financial aid. She stressed the importance of working with LDC governments to identify their specific technological needs.
