The aim of the courses is to give delegates from permanent missions an opportunity to become better acquainted with topical issues and developments in the international economic agenda as they are reflected in the work of UNCTAD.
The secretariat invites permanent missions to nominate delegates who follow matters pertaining to UNCTAD or the World Trade Organization to attend these courses.
This course will discuss graduation, that is, the process by which the least developed countries cease to be members of the least developed country category, in recognition of their advances in development.
In principle, graduation marks a shift from dependence to a greater degree of self-sufficiency and an emergence from development traps that beset the least developed countries. However, upon graduation, the loss of access to international support measures tied to least developed country status may lead to important economic costs.
In the 45 years since the establishment of the category, only four countries have graduated. Projections indicate that the target of graduation by at least half of the least developed countries by 2020 is unlikely to be met.
UNCTAD suggests that graduation should be viewed as part of a longer and broader development process, and emphasizes the need for graduation with momentum.
This course will discuss the following questions:
What is the economic meaning of graduation?
What are the costs and benefits of graduation?
How can countries achieve graduation with momentum?
How can the least developed countries make the most of the graduation process?
Contact
Project Coordinator, Knowledge Development Branch
UNCTAD
T.: 41 22 917 2718;
E.: randa.jamal@unctad.org