Thank you, President.

Rwanda aligns with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China, LDC and Africa groups. 

We welcome UNCTAD’s report on the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and appreciate its continued support to least developed countries. The report highlights the continuing gap between the Programme’s ambitions and progress achieved. Weak productive capacities, debt vulnerabilities, limited fiscal space and a difficult external financing environment continue to constrain the development prospects of many LDCs.

Rwanda appreciates UNCTAD’s contribution to the national workshop on enhancing trade resilience, held in Kigali on 29 and 30 September 2025, including its analysis of Rwanda’s trade vulnerabilities and opportunities in the context of its potential graduation from LDC status.

Graduation should consolidate development gains and place countries on a sustainable development path. It should therefore be accompanied by a carefully sequenced and adequately supported transition that strengthens productive capacities, promotes export diversification and avoids the abrupt withdrawal of relevant trade and development support measures. Country-specific vulnerabilities, including those arising from landlockedness, climate exposure and narrow production and export structures, must be taken into account.

Rwanda takes note of the report’s recommendations for scaled-up concessional and grant-based financing, stronger technical assistance, improved market access and greater support for the integration of LDCs into regional and global value chains. We also underline the importance of trade facilitation, resilient infrastructure, technology uptake and support for domestic enterprises.

Adequate and predictable resources are essential for UNCTAD’s LDC-related work, including its dedicated graduation support programme. Such assistance should remain country-owned, demand-driven and aligned with national development strategies.

The success of the Doha Programme of Action will ultimately be measured by concrete improvements in productive capacities, resilience and the ability of LDCs to participate more effectively and equitably in global trade.

I thank you.