Presidents,

China thanks the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council for jointly convening this Special Thematic Event. The Doha Programme of Action serves as an important roadmap for supporting the sustainable development of the least developed countries (LDCs). China looks forward to this meeting further strengthening consensus among all parties and laying a solid foundation for the forthcoming Midterm Review. I wish to make the following three points.

First, we should uphold development as the priority. International support for LDCs should respect their national ownership and leadership, and be aligned with their actual needs and development priorities. China supports the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in continuing to strengthen its coordinating role and promoting greater attention to the development needs of LDCs.

Second, we should mobilize more resources for development. Developed countries should honor their commitments on official development assistance. South-South cooperation, as a complement rather than a substitute for North-South cooperation, can continue to leverage its unique strengths in capacity-building while encouraging broad participation across the United Nations system. The United Nations should further strengthen its resource mobilization capacity, explore innovative financing channels, and advance the reform of international financial institutions to provide LDCs with adequate, flexible and predictable resources.

Third, we should enhance implementation outcomes. The international community should strengthen cooperation in the priority areas identified in the Doha Programme of Action, including poverty reduction, trade, energy, climate resilience, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, so as to enhance the self-sustaining development capacity of LDCs and translate international support into tangible and sustainable development results.

China has consistently made support for LDCs a priority in its international development cooperation. China has granted 100-percent zero-tariff treatment to all products from all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, and since 1 May 2026, has extended such treatment to all African countries having diplomatic relations with China. To date, the Global Development Initiative has mobilized over USD 23 billion in development financing, supported more than 1,800 cooperation projects, organized over 10,000 capacity-building programmes for developing countries, and trained more than 200,000 professionals, providing strong support for the revitalization and development of the Global South.

China stands ready to work with all parties to advance the full implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, support LDCs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensure that no country is left behind.

Thank you, Presidents.