LDC Portal - International Support Measures for Least Developed Countries - Graduation

WTO Public Forum: Unlocking Bangladesh's Textile Recycling Potential for a sustainable LDC Graduation

MTAVARES1 — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Thursday, 12 September 2024 - 5:00pm

12 September 2024. "As Bangladesh approaches its graduation from LDC status in 2026, the country faces both challenges and opportunities. A critical area of focus is the Ready-Made Garment sector, which generates approximately 400,000 tonnes of textile waste annually. Efficient recycling of this waste could unlock $3-6 billion in revenue for Bangladesh and significantly contribute to a sustainable LDC graduation.
This session will bring together government and business representatives from Bangladesh and Europe to discuss strategic trade policies for enhancing textile recycling. Key topics will include necessary national policies, the role of trade partners like the EU, and contributions from business partners."

Information and audio recording here: WTO | Public Forum 2024 - "Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World"

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Bangladesh

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Graduation

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From UNDESA/CDP Secretariat: Bhutan Graduates from LDC Status

MTAVARES1 — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

13 December 2023. From UNDESA/CDP Secretariat: Bhutan Graduates from LDC Status.

On 13 December, Bhutan became the seventh country to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) category. News item here: Bhutan graduates from LDC status | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org)

Front Page Article:

From the WTO: WTO members reach deal to support least-developed countries on path to graduation

MTAVARES1 — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

23 October 2023. From the WTO: The General Council reached an important milestone on 23 October in the global efforts to assist least-developed countries (LDCs) on the path to graduation from LDC status, adopting a decision on the extension of support measures for graduating countries. The decision was taken as senior officials gather at the WTO on 23 and 24 October for a meeting aimed at making preparations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, scheduled for February 2024 in Abu Dhabi. Read the news item here.

Front Page Article:

GA resolution on postponement of Solomon Islands graduation from the LDC category

MTAVARES1 — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:00:00 +0000

25 August 2023. On 25 August, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to provide Solomon Islands, on an exceptional basis, with an additional preparatory period of three years before its effective date of graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category. Solomon Islands is now scheduled to graduate on 13 December 2027. More information here.

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ECOSOC has recommended deferral of Angola's graduation and extension of the preparatory period for Solomon Islands

MTAVARES1 — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:45:00 +0000

7 June 2023. The 51�Թ� Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has recommended that the General Assembly defer the graduation of Angola, currently scheduled for February 2023. Consultations are ongoing under the CDP's Enhanced Monitoring Mechanism. The CDP is to report back to ECOSOC on the outcome of the consultations. If the General Assembly defers Angola's graduation, the issue would be addressed by ECOSOC in 2024. Angola does not currently meet the graduation criteria.

ECOSOC also recommended, based on the CDP's monitoring outcome, that the General Assembly extend the preparatory period for Solomon Islands, which is currently scheduled to graduate in December 2024. The General Assembly is expected to address the issue during the current session.

More information in the CDP's report and ECOSOC's resolution, both available here.

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From the UN: The LDC graduation pathway must not disrupt overall sustainable development, says UN Deputy chief

MTAVARES1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 20:00:00 +0000

9 March 2023. News item here: The LDC graduation pathway must not disrupt overall sustainable development, says UN deputy chief | UN News

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From the WTO: Goods Council discusses high number of trade concerns, MC12 implementation, LDC graduation

MTAVARES1 — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

25 November 2022. At a meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods on 24-25 November, WTO members addressed trade concerns including the Least-Developed Countries (LDC) Group’s proposal concerning countries graduating from LDC status. News item here: WTO | 2022 News items - Goods Council discusses high number of trade concerns, MC12 implementation, LDC graduation

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South-South Exchange on Preparing Smooth Transition Strategies: Graduating cohort of 2021

MTAVARES1 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Tuesday, 23 August 2022 - 9:00am to Thursday, 25 August 2022 - 6:00pm

South-South Exchange on Preparing Smooth Transition Strategies: Graduating cohort of 2021 | Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

In 2021, the Committee for Development Policy for the 51�Թ� (CDP) recommended Bangladesh, Lao PDR, and Nepal for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

In light of the exceptional circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh, Lao PDR and Nepal were afforded an extended 5-year preparatory period, in place of the standard 3 years. Since this recommendation, the COVID-19 crisis was compounded by the high cost of food and energy as well as financial constraints, further complicating the efforts of the world’s most vulnerable states in achieving sustainable development.

All three countries are expected to use the preparatory period to develop their Smooth Transition Strategies (STS) ensuring that their development momentum is maintained, while preventing any disruptions to their development progress and ensuring the sustainability of their graduation.

Graduating countries will face several challenges, but also opportunities. By enhancing collaboration between each other during the preparation stages, Bangladesh, Lao PDR and Nepal will be able to benefit from these opportunities while developing their strategies. In this context, the UN - through iGRAD (Sustainable Graduation Support Facility), a country-led, partnership-based global platform offered through the Inter-agency Task Force on LDC graduation (IATF) - is providing integrated capacity-building support in the form of policy and technical advisory and financial support, as recognized in the Doha Programme of Action. It will contribute to smooth transition and sustainable graduation of Bangladesh, Lao PDR and Nepal. This South-South-Exchange workshop is one of the many modalities being offered via iGRAD through the IATF. It is expected to re-energize the STS preparation process, learn from the industry/sector experts, share ideas amongst each other, and devise some common guidelines for transition.

Government officials and key stakeholders from the private sector, academia, research institutes, think tanks and civil society, at the technical level, who would directly work on formulating and drafting the STS in their respective countries are expected to attend the event alongside representatives from RCOs, DESA, ESCAP, OHRLLS, and other relevant UN agencies. The workshop is being funded by DESA as a contribution to iGRAD and through its Project “New assistance measures for graduating LDCs”, supported by the UN Peace and Development Fund.

Objectives:

Discuss common challenges of graduation and identify pathways to address them collaboratively in devising the STS.
Identify key international support for the Smooth Transition Strategies of each country and devise plans for advocacy.
Advocate jointly and separately for effective international support for the implementation of national Smooth Transition Strategies.

Key deliverables:

Working papers or presentations on key challenge areas for graduating LDCs.
Accumulation of views from policymakers, private sector, development partners, academia, and CSOs on graduation related challenges and recommendations to overcome them in their respective country context.
STS processes of the graduating cohort of 2021.
Common advocacy points for the Fifth UN Conference on LDCs (LDC5) Part Two (to be held in Doha in March 2023).

Sustainable Graduation in the challenging situation: Perspectives from Bangladesh and the Region in light of Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) - ESCAP Side event at CS78

MTAVARES1 — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:30:00 +0000

Monday, 23 May 2022 - 1:30pm

Organized by the Governments of Bangladesh and Nepal, this event was held as a side-event to ESCAP's 78th Session.

Concept note [Download PDF]

The Bangladesh’s Side-Event on “Sustainable Graduation in the challenging situation: Perspectives from Bangladesh and the Region in light of Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) “is centered around this year’s theme topic and 2030 agenda for sustainable development as well as Doha Programme of Action. Bangladesh has got growth momentum over the years and recommended in the just concluded second consecutive triennial review by the CPD of ECOSOC to graduate from LDC category. But unprecedented challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic made it more challenging.

Similar sustainable development challenges are also facing all other developing countries in this region. International community, UN and other multi-lateral bodies has role to support countries in steering and guiding the process of sustainable development. This Side-Event will try to focus on International Support Measures (ISMs) needed for the countries in the region for their sustainable development specially programme of actions suggested in the just concluded 1st part of LDC5(DPoA) amidst this unprecedented challenging time.

More information here.

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Doha Programme of Action (DPOA)

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Graduation event

WTO - The Fifth South-South Dialogue on LDCs and Development

MTAVARES1 — Mon, 16 May 2022 12:30:00 +0000

Monday, 16 May 2022 - 8:30am

16 May 2022.

Press release here: WTO | 2022 News items - DG Okonjo-Iweala calls on LDCs to focus on most pressing priorities for MC12

Programme

Session 1. The session will focus on the topics that are being discussed in the run up to MC12. LDCs will have an opportunity to articulate their interests and perspectives in the ongoing negotiations. The session will also explore avenues to achieve tangible outcomes that can boost growth and development worldwide.

Session 2. The update of the WTO rulebook is long overdue. The global trade of today requires the rules that respond to the current realities. The session will focus on various perspectives shared by members to strengthen the WTO so that the multilateral trading system better serves the needs of its members.

Session 3: Graduation from LDC status is an important milestone for economic development for each LDC. At the same time, it presents some challenges. LDC graduation is one of the key priorities of the LDC Group for MC12. The session will take stock of discussions on this topic at the WTO. It will also explore ways to assist LDCs on the path to graduation.

Session 4. The global trading landscape has evolved considerably over the years spurred by advances in science and technology. The discussion will explore how some of the evolving trends can help LDCs to better integrate and benefit more fully from global trade. The session will also offer an opportunity to provide an update on different initiatives that are currently being pursued – from boosting investment facilitation, to supporting small businesses to digital trade to environment.

More information here.

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