After a country has been found eligible for graduation the first time, a Graduation Assessment is produced. This is based on an analysis of how a change in status and subsequent loss of LDC-specific benefits will impact the country, carried out by UNDESA, and a vulnerability profile compiled by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Graduation Assessment also includes inputs by other UN entities, in particular the UN Country Teams, as well as forward-looking elements that could be considered for a smooth transition strategy.
A CDP member is appointed as country rapporteur to ensure dedicated attention within the Committee. At the following triennial review, if the country is found eligible for the second time, the CDP deliberates based on the Graduation Assessment, country presentation and statement, including a supplementary set of graduation indicators.
For a comprehensive overview of all UN decisions on graduation of LDCs, see this document.
Once the General Assembly decides a country shall graduate from the LDC category, a preparatory period of three years begin.? In exceptional circumstances a longer preparatory period may be allowed.
During the preparatory period, the country remains in the LDC category and continues to benefit from the associated special support measures.
Each graduating country should prepare a smooth transition strategy, with the support of the United Nations and its development and trading partners.?
The smooth transition strategy aims to ensure that the country’s sustainable development efforts are not disrupted by the loss of support measures after graduation.
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NEW: 2022?Graduation Booklet is published!
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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.
Aiming to generate awareness and political support from development and trading partners for the challenges that countries face after graduation, the IATF coordinates support by the UN System and other partners to graduating LDCs so as to enable a smooth and sustainable transition that will not disrupt the trajectory of graduating countries’ development.
In 2023 the UN General Assembly decided to extend by an additional three years, until 13 December 2027, the preparatory period for Solomon Islands before graduation from the LDC category ( adopted on 25 August 2023). The General Assembly also decided to defer to a later date the graduation of Angola from the LDC category ( adopted on 18 December 2023)?
