Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized least developed countries (LDCs) as a category of member states that face important challenges to their development process, due to structural, historical and geographical reasons.
The current group of 44 LDCs faces important structural constraints and multiple challenges that leave them vulnerable to economic shocks and limit progress towards sustainable development.
LDCs continue to face a challenging global context, including the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying climate change, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, global price fluctuations and tightening international financing conditions.
Against this background, it is clear that LDCs will require additional support to build their resilience, achieve the targets of the Doha Programme of Action and reach the Sustainable Development Goals.
Outcome
The ministerial meeting of LDCs will enable the group to come together to advocate for their priorities and affirm a common vision. It is expected to result in the adoption of a ministerial declaration, which will also feature as part of the UNCTAD16 Outcome.
Participation
The ministerial meeting will be attended by ministers and high-level officials from LDCs.
Their participation in this meeting and in UNCTAD16 is made possible with the support of the Government of Finland.
Opening remarks: Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
In September 2021, Rebeca Grynspan was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), becoming the first woman to lead the organization in its 60-year history.
Rebeca Grynspan, an economist and former Vice President of Costa Rica, is an experienced leader of international institutions with a substantive track record in government, UN diplomacy, economic policy and multilateral cooperation at the global level.
Prior to joining the United Nations, she was Vice President of Costa Rica and held cabinet positions as Minister of Housing, Minister Coordinator of Economic and Social Affairs and Deputy Finance Minister.
Previously, she served as Secretary-General of the Ibero-American Conference (2014–2021), chairing regional summits of Heads of State and Government; United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She was a member of the UN Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti, representing the UN Secretary-General.
At UNCTAD, Grynspan has been at the centre of critical negotiations to address global trade and development challenges. She played a decisive role in the successful Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered between the UN, Türkiye, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which enabled the safe export of over 32 million tons of grain, lowered global food prices by 22% and prevented millions from falling into food insecurity. She also leads the UN Global Crisis Response Group on food, energy and finance, and has represented the UN in G20 summits.
Her leadership has been recognized widely. In 2024, she received the Doha Negotiator of the Year Award for spearheading UN efforts to restore Black Sea trade routes. In 2025, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation awarded her the inaugural Isabel Oyarzábal Women in Multilateralism International Prize for her contribution to multilateralism.
Ms. Grynspan holds degrees in economics from the University of Costa Rica and the University of Sussex, and honorary doctorates from several European universities.
