NEW: 2022 Graduation Booklet is published!
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Graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category is a key milestone in the sustainable development progress of a country and requires support from all its stakeholders.
Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First, I would like to thank ESCAP for organizing this webinar meeting.
NEW YORK 4 December 2020 – The small island nation of Vanuatu is celebrating today as it is officially no longer classified as one of the world’s least developed countries, or LDCs.
Despite the compounding threats of COVID-19, natural disasters and climate change, the Vanuatu government sees graduation as a positive sign that the country is increasingly able to build resilience and meet its citizens’ needs.
NEW YORK 12 October 2020 – The Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) set an ambitious goal to see half of the LDCs graduate from the category during its period of implementation of 2011-2020. Though that target has not been met, progress made by several LDCs has led to a record number meeting the graduation criteria.
HONIARA, 22 October 2019 – On 17-18 October, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Least Developed Country Graduation, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, held a 2-day workshop to kickstart the process of preparing for a smooth graduation from Least Developed Country Status.
This followed the decision by the UN General Assembly to grant the Solomon Islands an extended preparation period for graduation having met the necessary criteria in 2018; with formal graduation now due to occur end of 2024.
BACKGROUND
This was the second mission of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF) and was led by OHRLLS, DESA, ESCAP and UNDP in close cooperation with the Government of Solomon Islands, the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Team in Honiara. The UNCDF, OECD, Asian Development Bank and PIF Secretariat also participated in the mission.
This was the first mission of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF) and was led by OHRLLS and DESA in close cooperation with the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Team in São Tomé e Príncipe. The WTO, ITC, EIF and Technology Bank participated in the mission.
SAO TOME, 12 September 2019 – São Tomé and Príncipe, one of the world’s forty-seven Least Developed Countries (LDCs), will graduate from the category in December 2024. After exceeding the Human Assets Index (HAI) and per capita income thresholds, São Tomé and Príncipe met the criteria for graduation in 2015.
The graduation milestone that São Tomé and Príncipe has reached, reflects the country’s efforts as well as the progress achieved in key areas for sustainable development.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
GENEVA, 3 July 2019 – The Aid for Trade Global Review 2019 took place from 3 to 5 July at the WTO under the theme “Supporting Economic Diversification and Empowerment for Inclusive, Sustainable Development through Aid for Trade”. Session 61 focused on LDC graduation and was broadcast live. To view, click here.
