TERMS OF REFERENCE
SPECIAL BODY ON LEAST DEVELOPED
AND LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The special problems and constraints to the economic and social development of the least developed and landlocked developing countries have been recognized by the international community, and also within the context of the Brussels Declaration and the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries from the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the International Development Strategy and the implementation of the United Nations millennium development goals. These constraints require focused priority attention in the Asian and Pacific region in order to mainstream the least developed and landlocked developing countries into the ongoing regional integration process and associate them with the economic and social dynamism of the region. The Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries shall provide a focused forum for addressing the special issues and problems facing these groups of countries in the spirit of regional cooperation.

Under the overall supervision of the Commission, the Special Body shall:

1. Review and analyse the economic and social progress in the least developed and landlocked developing countries and undertake in-depth reviews of economic, social and environmental constraints to the development of least developed and landlocked developing countries.
2. Serve as a mobilizer of ideas and a catalyst for action to identify and promote new policy options at the national, subregional and regional levels that allow these countries to maximize the benefits from globalization, with emphasis on the adoption of measures for increased mobilization of domestic and foreign resources, trade and private sector development, public sector reform and provision of advisory services on relevant issues, on request, to Governments.
3. Support national capacities in least developed and landlocked developing countries, including those related to the formulation of development strategies at the national and sectoral levels.
4. Foster and strengthen intercountry cooperation arrangements for exchanges of experience and technical cooperation between and among the least developed and landlocked countries and with other developing and developed countries in the region.
5. Promote a comprehensive approach to removing institutional and physical barriers in order to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services and strengthen the development of multimodal transport/logistics services, including transit facilities, to enable active participation in the process of globalization.
6. Without duplicating work done elsewhere, review and analyse the special transit trade and transport problems of Asian landlocked developing countries, recommend suitable measures for solving those problems in accordance with international agreements, in particular, article 125 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and encourage the Asian landlocked developing countries and their transit neighbours to cooperate, inter alia, in order to reduce transport costs in the final costs of delivered goods.
7. Promote liaison with development agencies and financial institutions, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations and donor countries within and outside the region, in its initiatives and activities for the benefit of the least developed and landlocked developing countries.
8. Review the implementation and effectiveness of the relevant programme of work of ESCAP and make recommendations to the Commission concerning future programmes of work and, in this process, ensure that cross-sectoral issues such as the environment, human resources development and women in development are adequately addressed.
9. Accelerate follow-up to the relevant decisions and recommendations of global conferences related to least developed and landlocked developing countries at the national, subregional and regional levels, in particular, the Brussels Declaration and the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries from the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
10. Promote closer collaboration and joint activities with relevant United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, as well as increased liaison with financial institutions, development agencies outside the United Nations system, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, donors and supporting countries within and outside the ESCAP region so as to maximize the use of available resources and enhance the effectiveness and impact of the Commission’s work in addressing critical development challenges faced by least developed and landlocked developing countries.
11. Work closely and coordinate with other subsidiary bodies of the Commission.
12. Carry out such other functions as the Commission may direct from time to time in matters relating to least developed and landlocked developing countries.
    

Within the context of its terms of reference, the Special Body shall identify the tasks to be undertaken during a specified period. The Special Body shall indicate the outcomes expected for each task, set a time frame for the achievement of each task and monitor its implementation and effectiveness.
The Special Body shall meet biennially for two days, back to back with the Commission sessions, in alternate years with the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries.