Activities Report 2013-2014

I am pleased to present this report, which provides a synopsis of the activities that the Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes (ALDC) carried out in 2013 and 2014. 

In the reporting period, we have used our resources for two main purposes: engaging in policy-focused research and analysis, and policy advocacy. In terms of policy advocacy, ALDC supports beneficiary countries in assessing policy options and fostering sustainable development paths through, for instance:

Providing advisory services to least developed countries (LDCs) on graduation issues and productive capacity-building, both of which contribute to achieving the Istanbul Programme of Action;

Conducting diagnostic trade integration studies in LDCs, which provide assessments of the trade policy regime and policy recommendations on how to improve trade performance through capacity-building, better mainstreaming of trade into national development strategies and the integrated approach to trade policy formulation; 

Assisting landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS) in preparing and implementing their respective programmes of action and fostering international support for their particular challenges. 

Our analysis and policy recommendations emanate from our long-standing research work. The Division produces two major annual reports, namely the Economic Development in Africa Report and the Least Developed Countries Report. Furthermore, we have a research unit on trade and poverty which conducts research and organizes seminars on topics of particular relevance to the understanding of the link between trade and poverty reduction.