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

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.

27 May 2016UNCDF and UNCTAD Renew Joint Work on Sustainable Development in the Least Developed Countries

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and UNCTAD have announced a commitment to strengthen their joint work on policy research and analysis; technical cooperation; and capacity building. Working more closely together, they aim to improve further their support for the world's 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) from the earliest stages of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

23 May 2016Thematic High-level Event on Economic Transformation of Least Developed Countries, Antalya, 28 May 2016

UNCTAD and the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) will hold a joint high-level event on "Fostering structural economic progress toward graduation from LDC status".

11 February 2016Financing Rural Structural Transformation in the Least Developed Countries

In its latest policy brief, UNCTAD discusses key policy measures and instruments that the least developed countries and their development partners can mobilize to widen the financing of rural economic activities.

25 November 2015Least Developed Countries Report 2015

In its Least Developed Countries Report 2015, subtitled "Transforming Rural Economies", UNCTAD proposes a roadmap to fight against the root causes of migration flows within and from least developed countries (LDCs) and to eliminate poverty by 2030.

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Events and Meetings

Start Date	Title	Location	Country
27-29 Sep 2016	Trade and Development Board, 63rd executive session [Africa and the Trade and Development Report]	Geneva	Switzerland
25-27 Jan 2016	Trade and Development Board, 62nd executive session		Switzerland
26-30 Nov 2015	Training and Capacity Building Workshop on Policies and Strategies to Upgrade and Diversify the Fish Exports of Mozambique	Matola	Mozambique
01-02 Oct 2015	Regional Workshop on Mainstreaming Trade into National Development Strategies in Asia and the Pacific	Manila	Philippines
29 Sep 2015	National workshop on Mainstreaming Trade into National Development Strategies in Bhutan	Thimphu	Bhutan