The Midterm Review conference for the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) took place in Antalya, Turkey from 27-29 May 2016.
The conference undertook a comprehensive review of the implementation of the IPoA by the least developed countries (LDCs) and their development partners and likewise reaffirmed the global commitment to address the special needs of the LDCs. The UN Economic Commission for Africa, together with the UN Office of the Special Advisor on Africa, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia co-organised the side-event on 'Towards an integrated approach to the implementation of the IPoA: Perspectives from African and Arab LDCs'.
The side-event provided a platform for African and Arab LDCs to brainstorm and craft concrete proposals on an integrated and coherent approach to the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the multiple development agendas: the IPoA, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, particularly for African LDCs. It also supported critical assessment on progress and challenges encountered by conflict affected Arab LDCs.