unctad.org | Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized "least developed countries" (LDCs) as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. LDCs face more than other countries the risk of deeper poverty and remaining in a situation of underdevelopment. More than 75 per cent of the LDCs' population still live in poverty. These countries are also characterized by their vulnerability to external economic shocks, natural and man-made disasters and communicable diseases. As such, the LDCs are in need of the highest degree of attention from the international community.

Currently, the 48 LDCs comprise around 880 million people, 12 per cent of the world population, which face severe structural impediments to growth. However, the LDCs account for less than 2 per cent of world GDP and around 1 per cent of world trade.

Four United Nations Conferences on the LDCs were held in: 1981, 1990, 2001 and 2011. The Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries adopted the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 - the so-called Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA).

News

06 June 2017The clock is ticking for world leaders to generate wealth from sustainable fisheries

UNCTAD will organize an event themed "Enhancing trade opportunities for Least Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States through the fisheries sector" to address challenges imposed by international food standards. This will be held on the sidelines of the Oceans Conference of the United Nations in New York on 7 June 2017.

13 December 2016Poverty trap leaves least developed countries ever further behind

Global poverty is increasingly concentrated among a group of 48 countries, which are falling further behind the rest of the world in terms of economic development, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday by UNCTAD.

09 December 2016From Bhutan's red rice to goat meat from Mozambique, unique products can boost exports from the poorest countries

Natural, heritage products, if protected and marketed well, could become a bigger source of revenue for many Least Developed Countries. Many of these countries are dangerously dependent on commodity exports and must diversify their economies.

07 December 2016Lower oil prices threaten Timor-Leste graduation from "least developed" status

The collapse in oil prices has been painful for Timor-Leste and for many other commodity-dependent countries, and now threatens Timor-Leste's graduation from least developed country status.

25 August 2016UNCTAD fisheries project facilitates south-south partnerships

Chinese collaboration with an UNCTAD fisheries project means that as well as helping developing countries to export more fish, the UN agency may also be advancing South-south cooperation.

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Events and Meetings

Start Date	Title	Location	Country
22 Nov 2017	Launch of the Least Developed Countries Report 2017
06-07 Nov 2017	Expert Meeting on the Ways and Means of Improving the Implementation of Priority Areas Agreed in the Istanbul Programme of Action	Geneva	Switzerland
04-07 Apr 2017	Inter-regional training and capacity building workshop on fisheries trade, management and development in selected Least Developed Countries	Albion	Mauritius
14-16 Dec 2016	Validation workshop for UNCTAD's fisheries manual and Training fishermen and women in Uganda in sanitary and phytosanitary standards	Entebbe	Uganda
27-29 Sep 2016	Trade and Development Board, 63rd executive session [Africa and the Trade and Development Report]	Geneva	Switzerland