| Description: |
A. Context:
1. In the context of the follow up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries held in Istanbul in 2011 which adopted the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the decade 2011-2020, the
United Nations General Assembly decided to hold a Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 (MTR). The MTR will take place in Antalya, Turkey from May 27 to 28, 2016.
2. The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) is responsible for organizing this event in cooperation with the Government of Turkey.
3. The objective of this event is to undertake comprehensive review of the implementation of the IPoA by the LDCs and their development partners, share best practices and lessons learned and identify obstacles and constraints encountered and reaffirm the global commitment to address the specific needs of the LDCs. Participation will bring together all stakeholders of the IPoA including representatives from governments, the private sector, UN system and other multilateral organizations, civil society and academia.
4. The MTR will have plenary sessions for statements and general exchanges of views as well as roundtables on selected thematic issues of the IPoA.
5. The MTR is expected to adopt an agreed outcome in the form of a political declaration.
6. The Under-Secretary General UN-OHRLLS (copies attached) through letters addressed to the Director General invited WIPO to participate in the MTR.
B. WIPO participation:
7. WIPO attaches high importance to its participation in the United Nations (UN) Organizations’ joint effort to support the development endeavors of the LDCs.
8. Since the adoption of the IPoA in 2011, WIPO has been providin |