A/HRC/45/21 58. OHCHR has field presences in most of the least developed countries, 110 where it works to: implement the recommendations of international human rights mechanisms; advance sustainable development through human rights; prevent violations and strengthen human rights protection, including in situations of conflict and insecurity; enhance equality and counter discrimination; strengthen the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations; and enhance participation and protect civic space. 111 Through its treaty body capacity-building programme and voluntary technical assistance trust fund to support the participation of the least developed countries and small island developing States in the work of the Human Rights Council, OHCHR has contributed to building the capacity of Governments to fulfil their international human rights obligations. 59. During the preparatory process ahead of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, OHCHR is advocating for the right of individuals and peoples from the least developed countries to meaningfully participate in and contribute to the elaboration of the new programme of action. OHCHR is raising awareness among human rights mechanisms, including the Working Group on the Right to Development, and others. The guidelines on the effective implementation of the right to participate in public affairs at the international level112 can help the organizers of the Conference to consider the priorities of the least developed countries and their populations. 60. OHCHR supports provisions that promote the fair distribution of the benefits of international and national development and put rights at the core of the least developed countries’ sustainable development in the new programme of action. This includes empowering people and creating avenues for active, free and meaningful civil society participation, as well as taking human rights-sensitive, non-discriminatory approaches to data collection, monitoring and reporting. The new programme of action should take account of the recommendations and guidance of human rights mechanisms. Its provisions should promote supporting the most vulnerable, marginalized and/or excluded groups, addressing multiple and intersecting deprivations and sources of discrimination that limit opportunities and pose obstacles to escaping poverty, living with dignity and enjoying human rights on a healthy planet. The programme of action should adopt a preventive and human rights-based approach to crises, gender equality and equal rights for women, the rights of future generations, especially climate justice, collective action grounded in solidarity and human rights and the shared benefits of new technologies. 113 61. The Committee for Development Policy has recommended that the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries adopt the theme “Expanding productive capacity for sustainable development”. 114 Similarly, the least developed countries report 2020 of UNCTAD bears the working subtitle “productive capacities for the new decade”. The Committee has identified six policy areas that are critical for building productive capacities: (a) building development governance capabilities; (b) creating positive synergies between social outcomes and productive capacities; (c) establishing conducive and macroeconomic and financial frameworks; (d) developing industrial and sectoral policies that promote technological upgrading and structural transformation; (e) providing adequate international support; and (f) adopting environmental policies to address environmental risks and harness opportunities arising from a shift to a green economy.115 62. Integrating the right to development and other human rights will help advance progress in these areas. Promoting development governance capabilities will be more sustainable if the principle of active, free and meaningful participation of all individuals 110 111 112 113 114 115 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi (closed in 2019), Cambodia, Cameroon (Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa), Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia (East Africa regional office), Guinea, GuineaBissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal (West Africa regional office), Somalia, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Uganda and Yemen. www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/OMP_II.pdf. A/HRC/39/28, paras. 95–114. www.un.org/sg/sites/www.un.org.sg/files/atoms/files/The_Highest_Asperation_A_Call_ To_Action_For_Human_Right_English.pdf. E/2020/33, paras. 90–96. E/2020/33, para. 91. 15