A/HRC/45/21 54. The COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified the extent of the damage that shocks can cause to the least developed countries’ economies. Some countries’ beggar-thy-neighbour policies have prevented least developed countries from importing essential medical and personal protection equipment. 105 Food supply chains have been affected, creating food security and nutrition risks in many least developed countries.106 Important initiatives are contributing to the resilience of these countries. The Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries, UNDP, WHO and UNCTAD have jointly launched the Tech Access Partnership, which aims to support developing countries in scaling up local production of critical health technologies needed to combat COVID-19, including personal protective equipment and diagnostic and medical devices.107 Given global shortages of medical kits and export restrictions, the United Nations has organized collaborative procurement initiatives to help 135 countries to get life-saving supplies.108 B. Rights at the core of the new programme of action for the least developed countries 55. OHCHR actively engaged in the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. In her statement to the Conference, the High Commissioner noted that human rights and the right to development should be at the heart of a strengthened global partnership for development, as it empowers everyone to realize their potential, irrespective of personal differences, geographic demarcations and economic classifications. Promoting development in the least developed countries should be about accessing opportunities for the constant improvement of human well-being and guaranteeing the right to a life of dignity and freedom – freedom from want, freedom from fear and the freedom to flourish.109 Human rights are a crosscutting issue in the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, as reflected in its principles (peace and security, development and human rights, equity, and voice and representation) and in its priority areas (human and social development, and multiple crises and emerging challenges). 56. Having assessed the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, the Secretary-General has identified six key areas for action: (a) harnessing fully the potential of new technologies for the least developed countries and preventing a deepening of the technological divide; (b) reaching sustainable debt levels in all the least developed countries; (c) addressing challenges resulting from high rates of urban growth while optimizing opportunities; (d) according special focus to young people, especially girls, ensuring they acquire the skills needed to realize their aspirations; (e) addressing bottlenecks in implementing the Sendai Framework and national adaptation plans; and (f) stepping up support for the smooth transition of graduating countries. These will contribute to the fair distribution of the benefits of development to all least developed countries and their peoples, in line with the Declaration on the Right to Development. 57. In relation to these areas, OHCHR has submitted a report on the gender digital divide to the Human Rights Council and the Special Rapporteur on the right to development has addressed disaster risk reduction in his 2019 report to the General Assembly. The New Urban Agenda provides a human rights-based framework for addressing the urbanization challenges of least developed countries. Youth is the focus group for the fourth phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, which promotes inclusion and respect for diversity with the aim of building inclusive and peaceful societies. The United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development, of which OHCHR is a part, has issued a statement on COVID-19 and youth calling for the establishment of partnerships with youth that recognize their potential and understand the specific impact that the pandemic has on them. 105 106 107 108 109 14 https://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=2346. www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sg_policy_brief_on_covid_impact_on_food_security.pdf. https://techaccesspartnership.org. https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1062802. https://newsarchive.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11027.