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New York, 13 December 2024 – The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) congratulates S?o Tomé and Príncipe on its graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the country’s development journey and reflects its sustained efforts to achieve robust economic growth, enhance human development, and improve resilience against vulnerabilities.

The graduation of S?o Tomé and Príncipe also underscores the international community's collective efforts to support LDCs in their development trajectories. It is the result of years of strategic planning, effective policymaking, and international partnerships. The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) recommended the country’s graduation following its fulfillment of the criteria based on per capita income, human assets, and economic and environmental vulnerability indices.

Notable accomplishments include the increase in universal health coverage from 47% in 2010 to 59% by 2021 and being ranked 11th among 54 African nations in the 2021 Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

“The graduation of S?o Tomé and Príncipe is a historic milestone that underscores the resilience, vision, and determination of its government and people,” said Ms. Rabab Fatima, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States. “This achievement is a powerful testament to the impact of effective partnership and multilateral cooperation, offering both a model and an inspiration for other LDCs working to overcome structural challenges and achieve sustainable development.”

Graduating from the LDC category is not an end but a new chapter in a country’s sustainable development journey, that brings opportunities and challenges. To ensure a smooth transition, S?o Tomé and Príncipe integrated elements of a smooth transition strategy into its national development strategy focusing on maintaining access to concessional financing, fostering inclusive economic growth, and enhancing climate resilience to safeguard progress and sustain momentum toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“S?o Tomé and Príncipe’s graduation from the LDC category is an important step forward, but it also comes with heightened expectations and responsibilities,” said Mr. Djazalde Aguiar, the Chargé d’Affaires of S?o Tomé and Príncipe’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. “Consolidating this progress will require coordinated efforts to address economic, social, and environmental vulnerabilities while leveraging international partnerships, including the anticipated IMF program, to support sustainable development,” he added.

Poverty remains a major issue in S?o Tomé and Príncipe, with 66.7% of the population living below the poverty line in 2017. In addition, it faces fiscal challenges, marked by inflation reaching 17% in 2023 and rising public debt. The economy remains extremely vulnerable to external shocks due to its reliance on a small number of exports, such as cocoa, palm oil, and coconut. Furthermore, environmental issues such as climate change and deforestation pose additional threats to socioeconomic stability.

To support S?o Tomé and Príncipe in overcoming these challenges and seizing opportunities, UNOHRLLS remains steadfast in its commitment to the country's post-graduation progress. Guided by global frameworks such as the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) and the , UNOHRLLS is working in close collaboration with the government, the UN Resident Coordinator, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and many other UN development system entities, development partners, and stakeholders. Through initiatives like the Sustainable graduation support facility (iGRAD), the office is mobilizing resources and strengthening capacities to address challenges and seize new opportunities for growth in the country. It will continue to advocate for targeted international support measures and partnerships to ensure that S?o Tomé and Príncipe and other LDC graduates thrive in their new development paths.

As the global community celebrates this remarkable achievement, it is a reminder of the urgent need to accelerate progress for the 44 remaining Least Developed Countries, which collectively face immense challenges exacerbated by global crises such as climate change, economic shocks, and the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic.

About UNOHRLLS

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) is dedicated to advocating for the sustainable development of LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. It promotes global awareness of their unique challenges and mobilizes international support for their development priorities.

Key Links:

For more info on LDCs including graduation from the LDC category click here.

For the list of Least Developed Countries click here.

For the “Roadmap to Doha Programme of Action” click here.

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Media Contact:

May Yaacoub, Head of Advocacy and Outreach, Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States; Email: yaacoubm@un.org.