Muscat – The sultanate has underscored the significance of adhering to international cooperation towards meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as all pledges made to maintain balanced growth within the context of social, economic and environmental development.

In a speech at the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), held in Doha on Tuesday, H E Dr Said Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, affirmed that Oman has incorporated all three dimensions of sustainable development into Oman Vision 2040 and its long-term sectoral strategies.

The UN Conference aims to mobilise the international community’s commitments towards the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs (2022-2031), adopted by the UN General Assembly in April 2022.

It will offer the opportunity for renewed partnership between LDCs and their development partners to overcome structural challenges, eradicate poverty, achieve internationally agreed development goals and enable graduation from the LDC category.

H E Dr Saqri said that the sultanate is participating in the conference – running till March 9 – in its belief in the importance of partnership and cooperation to achieve the requirements of sustainable development, and in respect and commitment to international agreements and covenants.

He added that the conference represents an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss solutions to common problems and to strengthen global efforts in order to provide the best methods and support to LDC to help them eradicate poverty, enhance their role in international trade and regional integration, and employ their resources for comprehensive and sustainable development for all.

H E Saqri said Oman calls on all countries to redouble their efforts to help countries eliminate conflicts and acts of violence and also help them achieve a quantum leap in combating poverty and advancing their societies.

“Oman encourages developed countries and international financial institutions – including the International Monetary Fund and various development banks – to adopt initiatives to finance development, rehabilitation and reconstruction plans in these countries, provided that these initiatives include debt repayment and debt restructuring,” said H E Saqri.