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Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are recognized by the United Nations as categories that face special problems and accordingly need special attention from the international community.

The Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes helps these countries to derive the greatest possible benefits from this recognition, in particular, to make the most effective use of the special international support measures that are extended to them to reduce their marginalization from the global economy.

Action principally involves:

substantive support to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS in their efforts to develop positions of common interest in the context of relevant international events and initiatives;
research and analysis on relevant policy-related issues; and
technical cooperation, particularly through the Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to LDCs.

In this regard, UNCTAD is guided by:

The Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs (May 2001)
The Almaty Programme of Action for LLDCs (August 2003)
The Mauritius Strategy for SIDS (January 2005)

Action principally involves:

substantive support to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS in their efforts to develop positions of common interest in the context of relevant international events and initiatives;
research and analysis on relevant policy-related issues; and
technical cooperation, particularly through the Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to LDCs.

In this regard, UNCTAD is guided by:

The Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs (May 2001)
The Almaty Programme of Action for LLDCs (August 2003)
The Mauritius Strategy for SIDS (January 2005)

News

19 September 2012Macedonian university joins UNCTAD Virtual Institute as 78th member

The University American College Skopje (UACS) of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has joined the UNCTAD Virtual Institute as its 78th institutional member, bringing the count of countries represented in the Vi to 41.

17 September 2012UNCTAD Board focusses on creating jobs, reducing poverty in Africa

The high-level segment of UNCTAD's Trade and Development Board today held in-depth discussions on "Growth with poverty reduction: What can Africa learn from other regions?” Reduced dependence on commodities and more industrialization are needed to reverse the pattern of growth that does not create enough jobs, panellists said.

13 September 2012Zambia Commerce Minister to speak at high-level segment of UNCTAD Board

The Honorable Robert K. Sichinga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Zambia will be addressing the high-level segment of the 59th session of UNCTAD's Trade and Development Board on Monday, 17 September.

13 September 2012LLDCs need to move from being land-locked to become land-linked, says UNCTAD Deputy S-G

"Geography may pose severe constraints on economic growth and development, but it need not determine a country's destiny," UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Petko Draganov told the Fourth Meeting of Trade Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Almaty, Kazakhstan yesterday.

07 September 2012Many LDCs still over dependent on a few commodities, lack food security, UNCTAD study finds

A new UNCTAD study just released sheds further light on the role of commodities in the economic growth and development of the 48 countries designated by the United Nations as least developed countries (LDCs).

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