This brief discusses the important role of diagnostics and therapeutics in dealing with COVID-19 which in the near future will remain unpredictable and a threat to public health. It highlights global health experts persistently pointing to the inability of developing countries to effectively respond to COVID-19 due to lack of timely access to affordable diagnostics and therapeutics as the patent holding pharmaceutical industry prioritize higher-priced sales to developed countries. It stresses that high prices and lack of readily available affordable generic supply has artificially suppressed demand for COVID diagnostics and therapeutics. The brief elaborates on the effect of patents on access and the critical role of compulsory license and the TRIPS Decision in facilitating affordable access, and the challenges and opportunities in use of that very essential flexibility. 

Chantal Umuhoza delivered the statement of the Civil Society Forum at the Closing session "Adoption of the Doha Political Declaration & Closure" of the LDC5 Conference held on 9 March 2023. Download pdf version of the Statement (French version is available here).

Watch the Adoption of the Doha Political Declaration & Closure.

The Civil Society Forum (CSF) was organized by a Core Group of civil society organizations composed of LDC-Watch, Third World Network, Social Watch and Global Policy Forum, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (UN-OHRLLS). The Civil Society Forum was held in Doha, Qatar, from 4 to 9 March 2023.

The LDC5 Conference was held in two parts.  Part 1 adopted the new Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031 (DPoA) on 17 March 2022 at the UN headquarters in New York. Part 2, the main Conference was held in Doha, Qatar, from 5 to 9 March 2023.

The Civil Society Forum was organized by a Core Group of civil society organizations composed of LDC-Watch, Third World Network, Social Watch and Global Policy Forum, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (UN-OHRLLS). The Civil Society Forum was held in Doha, Qatar, from 4 to 9 March 2023.

Social Watch Philippines (SWP) - Alternative Budget Initiative Health Cluster (SWP - ABI) held a three-day capacity-building workshop on budget and policy advocacy and campaigns for water, sanitation, and hygiene at Hive Hotel and Convention Center, Quezon City on November 23-25, 2022. The activity was also accessible online via Zoom. The workshop training was participated by civil society organizations working on health, environment, and human rights, and those representing persons/children with disability, older persons, and urban poor communities.

The UN established the category of least developed countries (LDCs) in 1971, as many developing countries were navigating a path to development in the post-colonial period. The classification identified specific development challenges faced by these countries.