Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - LDC Graduation

A Guide to Least Developed Country Graduation (2022)

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 18:21:00 +0000

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Graduation Booklet (2022)

NEW: 2022 Graduation Booklet is published!

Graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category is a key milestone in the sustainable development progress of a country and requires support from all its stakeholders.

This publication gives a succinct but comprehensive overview of the graduation process for LDCs, including graduation criteria and steps. It also provides additional sources of information and support.

It is being translated into French, please stay tuned!

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Statement on Asia-Pacific LDCs' Graduation, Trade and Pandemic

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 19:51:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

27 January 2021
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I would like to thank ESCAP for organizing this webinar meeting.

Graduation and the issues and challenges surrounding it have long been at the core of the work of the United Nations system and of the work we do at OHRLLS.

Graduation from the LDC category is more than a symbolic step in a country’s development journey.

The label, if I may say so, sends a strong signal about strength and stability in socio-economic progress, encourages investors, and encourages the business community.

In turn, that means greatly enhanced potential for trading, investment and commercial activities.

I stress that we talk potential because , let us be clear, the overall set of development challenges that a country faces as an LDC do not disappear overnight with graduation.

Take, for example, a shared threat cutting across all graduating LDCs. That is the threat of their extreme vulnerability to climate change and related hazards.

Let us also not forget that graduation means the end of access to LDC-specific international support measures. It also implies loss of flexibility in the implementation of various international agreements, including TRIPS.

Ever since the advent of the global COVID pandemic, we can see that graduation faces additional challenges given the intertwined health, economic and financial consequences of COVID-19.

The pandemic spreads at a rapid pace through weak and vulnerable health system. The new and emerging variants and mutations pose additional and not yet really known threats.

The protracted economic recession triggered by the pandemic will result in massive economic downturns and, let us not overlook this, societal disruptions all threatening hard won gains and stability.

The impact is likely to be the hardest on micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), on the informal sector and the labour markets of graduating LDCs. Yet, this often is the engine room for growth in LDCs!

The pandemic’s impacts on exports of goods and services coupled with growing costs of imports are likely to result in growing trade deficits of LDCs exceeding those of the pre-COVID levels.

Export items graduating LDCs rely on- like RMGs, fuels and tourism services - will be hit hard.

The small island LDCs are projected to be hardest hit by the severe downturn in world tourism. Yet, tourism is their GDP driver !

What is already clear is that this puts into question the achievement of SDG target 17.11- which is “doubling the LDCs’ share of exports by 2020 compared to 2011”.

Add to this that remittances, another major source of income for some graduating countries, are also under stress. This will further worsen the current account balance of countries.

More than ever timely, adequate and appropriate external support must kick in if we do not want to lose the hard won gains countries achieved in the past on their trajectory to a sustainable and inclusive development for their peoples.

However, we are concerned that all categories of external flows of funding are either waning or at best stagnant.

In short, the multifaceted challenges graduated and graduating LDCs are confronted with , demand NOW and not tomorrow bold and decisive action.

What is at stake is to ensure that the encouraging development trends of graduating countries remain sustained and can reach a higher trajectory.

I believe there is a mix of measures we could consider taking.

First : policies and measures must be taken to recover from the massive impacts of COVID-19. Reinforcing the public health infrastructure ecosystem is needed more than ever. The Secretary-General has already appealed to make vaccination as a global public good.

Graduating countries and other LDCs need immediate access to appropriate and affordable vaccines and therapeutic medicines as well as equipment.

A virus does not know borders and we know that it is only if we globally can achieve immunity, and not just in some parts of the globe, can we overcome the dramatic challenges this pandemic poses to all.

Secondly: We need to work on and invest in comprehensive transition strategies, developed through consultative processes, to ensure what I call smooth transitions.

This requires ex-ante impact assessments and vulnerability analysis. Appropriate policies and measures can then be put in place for sectors that are highly sensitive to preference erosion.

Thirdly: Graduating countries need to engage with their key development partners to negotiate extension of select LDC-preferential treatments for a period of time consistent with development needs and priorities.

In this regard, OHRLLS leads an Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation. The aim is to strengthen and better coordinate UN system-wide support to graduating countries.

Fourth: trade is and will continue to remain a key driver of development for graduating and graduated countries.

The Group of LDCs have already placed their proposals for the extension of LDC-specific special and preferential treatments. This includes a provision for a transition period under TRIPS Article 66.1 for a certain number of years after graduation.

This proposal warrants a review and favorable consideration by the international community, especially in the current context of the impacts of COVID-19.

Fifth: COVID-19 once again exposes the digital divide in LDCs. It is with urgency that we must build the infrastructure for a digital economy and e-commerce but also distance learning, health services and so much more.

Sixth: the pandemic has taught us once more the deep lesson of the history of our shared humanity that there is no certainty or predictability about future shocks and hazards.

Yet, the pandemic has also brought home once more that the LDCs are highly exposed to shocks and hazards while suffering from poor resilience systems.

Investing in building sustainable and comprehensive resilience systems in LDCs is not a luxury but a must.

Finally, allow me to alert you to a shared opportunity we have to put this into action.

We have embarked on the preparation of the Fifth UN Conference on LDCs to be held in Doha, Qatar from 23-27 January 2022.

Graduation will be a key priority in the deliberations and negotiations of the outcome of the LDC5.

In preparation of the LDC5, OHRLLS, jointly with Bangladesh and ESCAP, is holding the Asia-Pacific Regional Review meeting in Dhaka tentatively from 22-26 April 2021. The primary focus is on how to make graduation sustainable.

The outcome of Dhaka meeting, which is a Ministerial Declaration, will be an important building block for the next Programme of Action for LDCs.

So, I invite you all to actively participate in this meeting and contribute to its outcome.

Thank you.

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Vanuatu Graduates from Least Developed Country Status

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:52:00 +0000

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In all its cultural vividness, performers from Futuna island, Vanuatu, celebrate their traditional dance.

Graham Crumb / DFAT

NEW YORK 4 December 2020 – The small island nation of Vanuatu is celebrating today as it is officially no longer classified as one of the world’s least developed countries, or LDCs.

Despite the compounding threats of COVID-19, natural disasters and climate change, the Vanuatu government sees graduation as a positive sign that the country is increasingly able to build resilience and meet its citizens’ needs.

Vanuatu is the sixth country to graduate out of the LDC category, an achievement that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called “historic” and the result of years of effort resulting in hard-won sustainable development gains.

In a video address to the people of Vanuatu, Mr. Guterres said:

“It is admirable that Vanuatu’s graduation will move forward despite the setbacks it has suffered from the ever-worsening impacts of climate change and natural disasters, and the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, on tourism, trade and remittances.“

He continued,

“Let me assure you of my full and undivided support to weather these challenging times, to combat climate change and to defeat the pandemic and recover better from its impacts.”

Repeated natural disasters, including Cyclones Pam and Harold, and recent volcanic eruptions, have decimated food stocks and forced mass displacement in Vanuatu over the last five years.

And while Vanuatu only recorded its first COVID-19 case in November 2020 - much later than the rest of the world - the small island State has still been seriously impacted by the pandemic, especially by the collapse in tourism from nearby countries like Australia and New Zealand.

Congratulating the people of Vanuatu, Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, called upon the international community to provide their full support to Vanuatu after graduation:

"The people of Vanuatu have always been resilient, and graduation is a sign that their economy is increasingly so too. Graduation is a major achievement but also a major challenge. Development and trading partners, and the entire UN system, must commit to providing their full support to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition for Vanuatu.”

H.E. Mr. Odo Tevi, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United Nations, expressed confidence in his country’s ability to weather the storm:

"Graduation shows the world Vanuatu’s potential and its ability to achieve its development goals and visions. We will adopt a route of sustainable, resilient and inclusive development that protects our serene ecology and ensures that our children grow up with a new world of opportunities, and a safe and healthy environment.”

46 countries remain classified as least developed, with eleven on, or about to join, the path to graduation. This reflects significant progress over the past number of years. Angola is due to graduate early in 2021, followed by Bhutan in 2023 and São Tomé and Príncipe and the Solomon Islands the following year.

Graduation from the category of Least Developed Countries continues to be a high-priority development objective for LDCs, development partners and multilateral organisations. But it brings important challenges. Ensuring smooth graduation requires transitioning away from LDC-specific support measures, including preferential market access for exports and access to some concessional financing instruments.

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Twelve Least Developed Countries on Path to Graduation Reflects Significant Development Progress – Despite Ongoing Setbacks

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 19:15:00 +0000

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Third grade students mastering literacy skills and acquiring new concepts during class at Norsup Primary School, Vanuatu.

Connor Ashleigh / AusAID

NEW YORK 12 October 2020 – The Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) set an ambitious goal to see half of the LDCs graduate from the category during its period of implementation of 2011-2020. Though that target has not been met, progress made by several LDCs has led to a record number meeting the graduation criteria.

The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) reviews the Least Developed Country (LDC) Category every three years to monitor member countries’ progress against measurements of income, human assets and vulnerability.

At present,twelve countries out of 47 are on, or about to join, the path to graduation.This is a positive development reflecting significant progress in the past number of years, especially when compared to previous decades.

Graduation from the LDC category marks an important milestone in the development path of each LDC. However, the phasing-out of international support measures associated with LDC status could present challenges for graduating countries in their efforts to further integrate into the global economy.

This December, Vanuatu will graduate, followed by Angola in early 2021. Bhutan is scheduled to graduate in 2023 and São Tomé and Príncipe and the Solomon Islands the following year.

In February 2021, the CDP is expected to hold its triennial review of the LDC category. Lao PDR, Bangladesh and Myanmar, depending on their performance on the LDC criteria and other aspects of their development trends, could be recommended for graduation.

The potential eligibility of Nepal, Timor-Leste, Kiribati and Tuvalu for graduation will also be reconsidered in 2021.

However, the 2021 triennial review will be held against the backdrop of one of the worse global multifaceted crises in the history of the United Nations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought devastating social and economic consequences, including on global trade and tourism, key sectors for many LDC economies. It is now threatening to roll back progress made by a growing number of LDCs on the path to graduation. 

Strong support from development and trading partners has never been more urgently needed.

For graduating LDCs, the commitment to recover and Build Back Better along a sustainable graduation path has been remarkable. UN System support of these efforts, on the ground and at Headquarter level, has been a lifeline for many.

Graduation from the category continues to be a high-priority development objective for LDCs but it brings important challenges.

Ensuring a smooth graduation requires appropriate management of a transition away from LDC-specific support measures, including preferential market access for exports and access to some concessional financing instruments.

Graduating countries must also juggle other development objectives, including economic diversification, enhanced international value chain participation, and making productivity improvements. The impact of COVID-19 has added another layer of complexity to the task.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on graduation support established by OHRLLS in 2017 brings all entities involved, UN and otherwise, to the same table. Together, they formulate a common programme of assistance to help smoothen transitions and better coordinate the UN System-wide support for graduation.

For example, the IATF has been collaborating with the United Nations Resident Coordinators for Lao PDR, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe to funnel support from all parts of the international system in the wake of COVID-19.

In September, the first in a series of virtual sessions on graduation implications for Lao PDR was held in collaboration with the government , the UN Resident Coordinator and the Task Force, represented by OHRLLS, DESA, UNCTAD and ESCAP.

More virtual sessions are planned to look at the trade and development finance implications of graduation, helping the Lao PDR prepare their own transition strategy as part of its national development plan.

In October and November, the Task Force will virtually host UN Resident Coordinators for Solomon Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe to help guide each country’s recovery and graduation plans.

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UN Works to Provide Integrated Support to the Solomon Islands as it Prepares to Graduate from Least Developed Country Status

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 17:21:00 +0000

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Members of the IATF

UNOHRLLS

HONIARA, 22 October 2019 – On 17-18 October, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Least Developed Country Graduation, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, held a 2-day workshop to kickstart the process of preparing for a smooth graduation from Least Developed Country Status.

This followed the decision by the UN General Assembly to grant the Solomon Islands an extended preparation period for graduation having met the necessary criteria in 2018; with formal graduation now due to occur end of 2024.

The workshop brought together experts from the United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Counties, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), UNDP, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the OECD, and the ADB to provide integrated support and advice.

During the event, government decision makers, civil society, the private sector, and development partners worked together to identify development priorities and challenges and to support the formulation of national policies and strategies to minimize the impact of loss of international support measures, harness graduation benefits and mainstream graduation into development planning.

Reaching the thresholds to begin the process of graduation represents a major achievement for the Solomon Islands and marks an important moment for a country, its development partners and the United Nations. However, even with graduation, the Solomon Islands will remain vulnerable to internal inequalities, external shocks and climate change induced vulnerabilities and more needs to be done to minimize these risks.

An important component of graduation is the preparatory process for a smooth transition out of the category. For Solomon Islands this period started with the decision of the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. This period provides an opportunity to the graduating country and its development partners to ensure that leaving the category of the Least Developed Countries does not disrupt its sustainable development process. The Solomon Islands has already begun to proactively negotiate with development and trading partners to fully counteract any emerging vulnerabilities and challenges. The Solomon Islands is one of a growing cohort of countries going through the process of graduation, including neighbouring Vanuatu on track to graduate in 2020, providing a valuable opportunity to learn from the experience of others.

The Inter-Agency Task Force was established as an important part of the UN Secretary General’s reform agenda to focus on supporting information exchange on activities related to graduation, raising awareness, and providing strengthened, coordinated delivery of UN support to graduating countries. Following this, the workshop represented a new approach to providing more integrated and coherent support to countries graduating from LDC status.

The Director of UN-OHRLLS Heidi Schroderus-Fox noted that “this first workshop is only a starting point. Now we have to think, all together, about the future, how all stakeholders that participated in this workshop can work together and how the UN Inter-Agency Task Force can work in a coordinated and effective manner to assist the Government in turning its vision into reality.”

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Joint UN Workshop in Support of Solomon Islands’ Graduation from the LDC Category

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 21:12:00 +0000

Thursday, 17 October 2019 - 8:00am to Friday, 18 October 2019 - 5:00pm

BACKGROUND

This was the second mission of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF) and was led by OHRLLS, DESA, ESCAP and UNDP in close cooperation with the Government of Solomon Islands, the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Team in Honiara. The UNCDF, OECD, Asian Development Bank and PIF Secretariat also participated in the mission.

Established in late 2017, the IATF on LDC Graduation is chaired by the Director of OHRLLS, Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox. It is a group of UN entities, which convene twice a year or more often as needed, with the goal to provide strengthened and coordinated UN system-wide support to the countries graduating from the LDC category.

The Joint UN Workshop in support of the graduation of Solomon Islands from the category of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) was held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on 17 and 18 October 2019. During the 2-day workshop, the IATF team provided a clear description of the impacts that graduation from the LDC category would have for the country. Several senior government representatives participated as panelists and engaged in the interactive discussions on the impacts of graduation on the economic and social progress of the country. Representatives from 18 UN and international and regional organizations attended and contributed. Over 50 participants attended, with majority coming from government ministries, as well as civil society and private sector.

The IATF chair commended the government for the specific actions that had already been undertaken in various areas in preparation of graduation. She noted that the workshop was only a starting point to launch a period of collective reflection about the future. The UN team would be ready to continue strengthening, in a better coordinated and effective manner, the kind of assistance the Government needed in turning its vision into reality. She highlighted some key elements that should inform the joint way forward. A first step was to establish a “consultative mechanism” to set up a concrete plan towards and beyond graduation, to bring together the main development and trading partners, facilitate the preparation of the transition strategy and integrate the strategy with the national development strategy and the UN Pacific Strategy.

The workshop was preceded, on 16 October 2019, by a meeting of the IATF and the Solomon Islands Government with civil society representatives to give them an opportunity for an interactive dialogue on the process of LDC graduation and its implications for the economy and people of the Solomon Islands. In the morning of 17 October 2019, the IATF and the Solomon Islands Government organized a breakfast with private sector representative.

DOCUMENTS

Meeting Summary
Annotated Programme
Concept Note
DESA Impact Assessment
UNCTAD Vulnerability Profile
UNDP Solomon Islands Development Finance Assessment
Press Release
LDC Video by DESA/CDP

SUMMARY

The Supervising Foreign Minister of Solomon Islands opened the Workshop. Several senior government officers including from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), Ministry of National Planning & Development Coordination (MNPDC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), and Ministry of Finance & Treasury (MoFT) actively participated as panelists and engaged in the interactive discussions on the impacts of LDC graduation on the economic and social progress of the country. Representatives from over 15 UN agencies and other international, regional and sub-regional organizations attended and contributed. Over 50 participants attended the two-day workshop with the majority coming from government ministries, as well as civil society and private sector.

Experts presentations were made by members of the IATF to show the implications of graduation from the LDC category. Some LDC-specific support measures will be phased out, but the impact is expected to be overall relatively mild. On development finance, most of bilateral and multilateral donors have cooperation programs that would not be affected by graduation from the LDC category per se. Discussions also focused on the current economic and social challenges as well as environmental vulnerabilities facing the Solomon Islands. The government requested the IATF to assist in the formulation of a smooth transition strategy.

DOCUMENTS

Presentations:

OPENING SESSION:

H.E. Peter Agovaka
Dr. Sevil Huseynova
Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox
Dr. Jimmie Rodgers

SESSION 1: OVERVIEW OF LDC GRADUATION: COSTS, BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Mr. Oliver Paddison
Mr. Matthias Bruckner
Dr. Jimmie Rodgers
Ms. Jodie Nanuman Kapalu
Ms. Dentana Mckinnie

SESSION 2: IMPROVED ASSISTANCE FOR GRADUATING COUNTRIES

SESSION 3: ACCESS TO FINANCE AND MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES DURING SMOOTH TRANSITION

SESSION 4: TRADE, PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY BUILDING AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE GRADUATION

Mr. Matthias Bruckner
Mr. Joseph Maahanua
Ms. Atenasi Ata

BREAK OUT GROUPS ON:

1. Resource Mobilization
2. Productive Capacity and Trade
3. Institutional Set-Up for Graduation

SESSION 5: REDUCING VULNERABILITY AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE

Mr. Matthew Johnson-Idan
Mr. Chanel Iroi
Mr. Aholotu Palu
Ms. Elma Morsheda

SESSION 6: FORMULATING NATIONAL POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR A SMOOTH GRADUATION OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

Mr. Namsuk Kim
Mr. Nelson Ari
Mr. Matthew Johnson-Idan
Ms. Jodie Nanuman Kapalu
Ms. Lyn Sidi

CLOSING SESSION: CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD

Rapporteurs From Break-out Groups:

Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox

Dr. Jimmie Rodgers

Photo: Delivering solar panels to Kiu, Solomon Islands. Hampus Eriksson/WorldFish

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Joint UN Workshop in Support of São Tomé e Príncipe’s Graduation

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:29:00 +0000

Thursday, 12 September 2019 - 9:00am to Friday, 13 September 2019 - 5:00pm

BACKGROUND

This was the first mission of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF) and was led by OHRLLS and DESA in close cooperation with the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Team in São Tomé e Príncipe. The WTO, ITC, EIF and Technology Bank participated in the mission.

Established in late 2017, the United Nations Task Force on LDC Graduation is chaired by the Director of OHRLLS, Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox.It is a group of UN entities, which convene twice a year or more often as needed, with the goal to provide strengthened and coordinated UN system-wide support to the countries graduating from the LDC category.

The Joint UN Workshop in support of the graduation of São Tomé e Príncipe from the category of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) was held in the Palace of Congresses in São Tomé on 12 and 13 September 2019. It was co-organized by the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation in close collaboration with the Government of São Tomé e Príncipe, the UN Resident Coordinator and sponsored by the Government of Portugal.

SUMMARY

The Prime Minister of São Tomé e Príncipe opened the Workshop. Several Ministers actively participated as panelists and engaged in the interactive discussions on the impacts of LDC graduation on the economic and social progress of the country. Representatives from over 20 UN agencies and other international and regional organizations attended and contributed. A total of over 100 participants attended the two-day workshop with the majority coming from government ministries, as well as civil society and private sector.

Experts presentations were made by members of the IATF to show the implications of graduation from the LDC category. Some LDC-specific support measures will be phased out, but the impact is expected to be overall relatively mild. On development finance, most of bilateral and multilateral donors have cooperation programs that would not be affected by graduation from the LDC category per se. Discussions also focused on the current economic and social challenges as well as environmental vulnerabilities facing São Tomé e Príncipe. The government requested the UN System to continue supporting the sustainable development efforts of the country and the IATF to assist in the formulation of a smooth transition strategy.

DOCUMENTS

Background Materials

Presentations

Opening Session:

Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox
Ms. Zahira Virani
H.E. Dr. Jorge Bom Jesus

Session 1: Graduation From the LDC Category: Process and Implications for São Tomé E Príncipe:

Mr. Roland Mollerus

Session 2: LDC Graduation and Smooth Transition: Access to Finance and Mobilization of Resources

Session 3: LDC Graduation and Smooth Transition: Impacts on Trade, Productive Capacity Building and Economic Diversification

Mr. Rainer Lanz

Session 4: Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Resilience Towards Sustainable Development

Session 5: Conclusion and Way Forward

Photo: Children in São Tomé e Príncipe. Miss Helena / Flickr

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São Tomé and Príncipe Prepares to Graduate from Least Developed Country Status

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:01:00 +0000

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The workshop on graduation

UNOHRLLS

SAO TOME, 12 September 2019 – São Tomé and Príncipe, one of the world’s forty-seven Least Developed Countries (LDCs), will graduate from the category in December 2024. After exceeding the Human Assets Index (HAI) and per capita income thresholds, São Tomé and Príncipe met the criteria for graduation in 2015.

The graduation milestone that São Tomé and Príncipe has reached, reflects the country’s efforts as well as the progress achieved in key areas for sustainable development.

Despite this important step forward, challenges remain. Over the next six years, São Tomé and Príncipe and its development partners will need to build on progress so far in order to consolidate development gains and identify critical areas where support is needed. Aligning these transitional efforts with national development goals and plans will make them more effective.

As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s graduation, the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, the United Nations in São Tomé and Príncipe, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation as well as the Government of Portugal co-organized a joint UN Workshop from 12-13 September, 2019 to support São Tomé and Príncipe in developing a comprehensive smooth transition graduation strategy.

The workshop facilitated dialogue between government officials, development partners, civil society and private sector to discuss the graduation process and its implications for São Tomé and Príncipe. The impact of access to finance and the mobilization of resources was also on the agenda along with lessons learnt from other countries which have graduated.

Moreover, the workshop was an opportunity to strengthen UN system coordination between the UN country team and UN system entities based internationally.

On the margins of the workshop, officials from the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) carried out a Cabinet briefing on graduation to bring government officials up to speed with technical aspects of the process as well as targets that need to be achieved to ensure the country graduates successfully in 2024.

Coordination for the joint workshop was led by UN-OHRLLS which established an inter-agency task force (IATF) on graduation and smooth transition with the objective of providing strengthened and coordinated United Nations system-wide support to the countries graduating from the least developed country category.

Learn more about LDCs: http://unohrlls.org/about-ldcs/

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Statement at LDC Graduation

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 16:53:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

4 July 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my distinct honour to open this very important meeting. I thank the World Trade Organisation for tabling before us an issue which finds itself at the core, I even say at the heart of ensuring that 47 Least Developed Countries are not left behind. We are privileged to be here with and to benefit from the presence of esteemed experts and practitioners. Your presence augurs for a rich, a creative exchange of views and experiences centered on how to support and what has to be done to achieve an inclusive and sustainable development path in graduating LDCs.

We count on you to provide concrete, action- focused guidance on the way forward. A guidance we wish to then take into account as we prepare for the Fifth UN Conference on the LDCs. Time is of the essence, the issues are urgent. We just have one and a half years left to reach the goals agreed on in the Istanbul Programme of Action. The Istanbul Programme of Action made the graduation and smooth transition of the LDCs an overarching objective.

Where do we stand? 12 LDCs are in various stages of graduation with 5 countries preparing to graduate over the next 5 years that is Vanuatu in 2020, Angola in 2021, Bhutan in 2023, São Tomé and Príncipe and the Solomon Islands in 2024. In itself, this is a remarkable result compared to the slow progress of past decades. It is may be even more remarkable given the complex global context within which we find ourselves.

Since I took office, I have consistently made a call that beyond graduation as such, a key challenge for all of us now is to ensure that graduation is sustainable. We must do all we can to avoid scenarios where hard won gains are reversed because we did not focus sufficiently on the sustainability aspect of graduation. Our meeting's focus is straightforward. Find action responses to the question: “How can we, the United Nations, in cooperation with LDCs’ development and trade partners, provide the best possible support to the LDCs in their path towards a sustainable graduation?”

The United Nations General Assembly has invited the international community - and this includes WTO – to consider extending appropriate support measures to the graduating LDCs for the purpose of ensuring what we call smooth transitions, and to ensure that graduation does not cause disruption in the development progress that a country has. At the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference, the LDC Trade Ministers called upon development and trading partners to take positive actions for LDCs on graduation. Ladies and gentlemen, Graduating from the LDC category is a key milestone. It is often a giant leap on a long journey. But it is a journey and a journey that does not end reaching one formal milestone.

As they say "never take anything for granted " and having reached such critical milestones implies that you must still continue to work on solidifying hard-won gains. This, in turn, demands support from all stakeholders. So, how can we, we the community that has pledged that we leave no one behind, help turn such a milestone into a sustainable path. Turn it into a reality of daily life for the more than 1 billion people living in LDCs? As I said, graduation is not a cut-off point. It is a beginning, a new chapter in a book if not volumes of books! It is a building-block. It is a building- block requiring support. We must explore the type and nature of development finance and technical assistance appropriately provided to countries to ensure smooth transitions and this must include a debate on what access to trade preferences is still needed.

Sustainable graduation truly is a two-part process. First comes meeting the graduation criteria and then transitioning smoothly out of the category. I can only say it again, the latter requires the provision of appropriate and specific support for graduating countries. At the same time, graduating countries must invest in and understand emerging vulnerabilities and challenges to their economies in the ever more rapidly changing regional and global contexts. They need to proactively negotiate with development and trading partners. This is why the design and above all the implementation of nationally owned smooth transition strategies is key. Such strategies must explicitly address the phasing out of international support measures. In a way this is all about risk management and mitigation.

So we have the risk of external shocks, that of regularly persisting internal inequalities, and that of climate change which disproportionally impacts LDCS. All of these dimensions must be integral to comprehensive smooth transition strategies. Ladies and gentlemen, From the perspective of effective development partner support, coordination is key. In order to improve coordinated action, my office has established an ad-hoc Inter-Agency Task Force on graduation and smooth transition. I am very happy to report to you that we now have a much-improved coordination among key inter-agency partners. These range from UNCTAD, to WTO, EIF, ITC, UNIDO, the regional commissions and the UN Country Teams – to mention just a few! The first two Joint UN Workshops on graduation support will take place in September in São Tomé and in October in Solomon Islands, both of which will graduate in 2024.

I am also pleased to share with you recent news. New smooth transition measures for graduating LDCs have been adopted by the UNFCCC parties, including: Provision of approved funding through the LDCF until the completion of projects approved by the LDCF Council prior to graduation. Extended support to graduated countries in terms of capacity-building activities, for a period of three years from the date of graduation. I thank our UN inter-agency partners for taking a bold stance in support of LDCs' smooth transition. I now call on all other entities that have not done so to join this effort and extend support for a period of time beyond graduation. This is needed and the need is urgent. LDCs continue to be concerned about a prospect where graduation equates with loosing access to international support measures.

They have expressed a sense of uneasiness, uncertainty and increased risk associated with the graduation process. It is incumbent on us to dispel any notion that graduation is neither a threat or a risk! We must focus on the opportunity it represents. Graduation is a key chapter in the path toward realizing a national vision for sustainable development and achieving what the global community agreed on in Agenda 2030 and the Paris climate agreement. This deserves all our support - it is nothing short of ensuring access for all to the basic human rights of development. Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen We here collectively have the opportunity to discuss how the United Nations and other development partners can best support countries that are on their way out of the LDC category.

We have the responsibility to support countries in their national strives to grow and prosper after their graduation. I am convinced that the experience and knowledge present in this room will lead us all into productive and action-focused discussions. Your experience and your knowledge will help us in our endeavour to enhance, to make more impactful our work to support the LDCs toward achieving sustainable graduations. Yes, the glass is half- full and a growing number of LDCs have embarked on a graduation path. But we must be mindful of the fact that the majority of countries in this group is likely not to graduate in the years ahead. Yes, we must support graduation and smooth transitions but we also and urgently so must continue and look at increasing our support for the implementation of the programme of action for LDCs. I thank you all.

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Aid for Trade: Global Review 2019 - Session 61

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 14:28:00 +0000

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The Aid for Trade Global Review 2019

UNOHRLLS

GENEVA, 3 July 2019 – The Aid for Trade Global Review 2019 took place from 3 to 5 July at the WTO under the theme “Supporting Economic Diversification and Empowerment for Inclusive, Sustainable Development through Aid for Trade”. Session 61 focused on LDC graduation and was broadcast live. To view, click here.

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First Column

Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - LDC Graduation

A Guide to Least Developed Country Graduation (2022)

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Statement on Asia-Pacific LDCs' Graduation, Trade and Pandemic

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

27 January 2021 New York, USA

Vanuatu Graduates from Least Developed Country Status

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Twelve Least Developed Countries on Path to Graduation Reflects Significant Development Progress – Despite Ongoing Setbacks

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UN Works to Provide Integrated Support to the Solomon Islands as it Prepares to Graduate from Least Developed Country Status

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Joint UN Workshop in Support of Solomon Islands’ Graduation from the LDC Category

Joint UN Workshop in Support of São Tomé e Príncipe’s Graduation

BACKGROUND

SUMMARY

DOCUMENTS

São Tomé and Príncipe Prepares to Graduate from Least Developed Country Status

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Statement at LDC Graduation

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

4 July 2019 Geneva, Switzerland

Aid for Trade: Global Review 2019 - Session 61

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27 January 2021
New York, USA

4 July 2019
Geneva, Switzerland