UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries

Building resilience is essential for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to sustain progress, navigate global shocks and advance towards their development aspirations. Last week, UN-OHRLLS, in collaboration with the Governments of Rwanda and Uganda, convened two national workshops in Kigali and Kampala to strengthen trade resilience and value addition in the context of LDC graduation. Bringing together policymakers, private sector leaders, regional organizations, and UN agencies, the workshops explored strategies to diversify exports, deepen regional integration, expand participation in regional and global value chains, and leverage digital trade and e-commerce for inclusive growth. The discussions also informed the preparation of national reports for the Mid-Term Review of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) and identified pathways for smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC category.

Last week, WIPO, together with the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA), co-hosted the Kigali launch of a landmark joint study developed in partnership with the UN Technology Bank for LDCs (UNTB) and Medtronic. The study, “Strengthening Medical Technology Innovation Ecosystems to Address Non-communicable Diseases in Least Developed Countries,” explores how LDCs can build and scale innovation for MedTech, i.e., advanced medical devices essential for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Rwanda and Bangladesh were chosen as case studies, providing actionable insights into policy, financing, regulation, and capacity building pathways that can accelerate access to MedTech in resource constrained settings. The launch event was attended by over 30 senior officials from a wide range of government agencies working across the health sector in Rwanda. This included the Ministries of Health, ICT, Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), UN agencies and local med tech innovators. All stakeholders commended the partners for conducting the study and said the findings would guide the development of Rwanda’s Med Tech sector. A number of participants expressed interest in taking forward the study recommendations. Key highlights from Rwanda: 1. Strong government commitment, supported by policies like the Made in Rwanda strategy and National Health Policy 2024. 2. Innovative initiatives including Zipline drone deliveries, telemedicine platforms, and digital health data systems. 3. Modernized IP framework through the 2024 IP law, clarifying enforcement and introducing pre-grant opposition and publication-stage rights. 4. Financing support through the National Research and Innovation Fund (NIRF) and partnerships with global funders like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 5. Educational and capacity-building initiatives such as Stanford East Africa Biodesign and biomedical engineering programs, linking research to market-ready MedTech solutions. If you would like to learn more about the study, you can access it here:  https://lnkd.in/ee5JxdBg UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries Medtronic NIRDA RWANDA Rwanda Biomedical Centre Rwanda Development Board (RDB) University of Global Health Equity IFC - International Finance Corporation

Today, our Under-Secretary-General and High Represantative Rabab Fatima introduced three key reports highlighting the UN’s work in support of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The first report focuses on the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA), outlining progress on tailored support for graduating countries, multi-hazard early warning systems, trade diversification, and strengthened UN engagement at the country level. A separate but related report explores the establishment of a dedicated online STEM university for LDCs; a viable and urgently needed initiative to expand access to higher education and strengthen science, technology, and innovation capacity in LDCs. The third report, is a follow to the 3rd UN Conference on LLDCs (LLDC3) held in Awaza in August. It highlights efforts to boost trade, digital transformation, climate finance, and regional integration — as well as to advance key deliverables under the APoA such as Regional Agriculture Research Hubs and an Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility for LLDCs. Together, these reports showcase the DPoA and APoA as powerful vehicles for transformation, and how with sustained global solidarity and commitment - we can ensure that no country and no person is left behind in the decade ahead! ➡️ Read USG Fatima’s full statement here: buff.ly/WKsZUsQ ➡️ The full reports here: ✨ docs.un.org/A/80/82 ✨docs.un.org/A/80/426 ✨docs.un.org/A/80/336