LDC Portal - International Support Measures for Least Developed Countries - Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Multidimensional poverty in least developed countries: levels, patterns and progress (Sabina Alkire and Lhachi Selden, CDP Issue Brief No 6)

MTAVARES1 — Tue, 05 May 2026 20:17:00 +0000

Document Type:

Link to an External Document

Author:

Sabina Alkire, Lhachi Selden

Document Summary:

The brief explores how multidimensional poverty is unevenly concentrated in LDCs (by age, rural/urban areas, and subnational disparities). It illuminates very strong positive and pro-poor trends in poverty reduction in the vast majority of LDCs, as well as unfortunate increases in poverty or in the number of poor persons over time in some cases. This brief therefore shows that progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 1.2 is possible, highlighting how six LDCs have halved their global MPI value in under fifteen years. This brief concludes that reporting MPI figures, whether global or national, in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and the global SDG database, provides LDCs with an important opportunity to monitor progress and demonstrate how sustained efforts are leading to meaningful reductions in alleviating the multidimensional deprivations of the world’s poorest populations.

Tags:

Poverty

Multidimensional poverty

Publication Date:

Tuesday, 05 May 2026

CDP

Document Topic/Theme:

Poverty, health, education, food security, employment, social security

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2026

Trade Impacts of LDC Graduation - Tanzania (WTO Secretariat)

MTAVARES1 — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Drupal File Upload

Author:

WTO Secretariat

Document Summary:

Tanzania is currently eligible to use LDC-specific flexibilities available in the World Trade Organization (WTO). This may no longer be the case, however, following graduation from LDC status. This note aims to support policymakers to understand the potential trade-related impacts of Tanzania’s LDC graduation. It sheds light on the possible effects of Tanzania’s graduation on market access, WTO rules and Aid for Trade.

Tags:

Graduation

Preferential market access

Trade

WTO

Publication Date:

Tuesday, 07 April 2026

WTO Secretariat

Document Topic/Theme:

LDC graduation and smooth transition

Trade

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2026

Trade Impacts of LDC Graduation - Rwanda (WTO Secretariat)

MTAVARES1 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Drupal File Upload

Author:

WTO Secretariat

Document Summary:

Rwanda is eligible to use LDC-specific flexibilities available in the World Trade Organization (WTO). This may not be the case following graduation from LDC status. This note aims to support policy makers to understand possible trade-related impacts of LDC graduation for Rwanda. It sheds light on possible impacts of Rwanda’s graduation on market access, WTO rules and Aid for Trade.

Tags:

WTO

Graduation

Preferences

Market access

Publication Date:

Thursday, 18 December 2025

WTO Secretariat

Document Topic/Theme:

Trade

LDC graduation and smooth transition

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025

Trade Impacts of LDC Graduation - Uganda (WTO Secretariat)

MTAVARES1 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Drupal File Upload

Author:

WTO Secretariat

Document Summary:

Uganda is eligible to use LDC-specific flexibilities available in the World Trade Organization (WTO). This may not be the case following graduation from LDC status. This note aims to support policy makers to understand possible trade-related impacts of LDC graduation for Uganda. It sheds light on possible impacts of Uganda’s graduation on market access, WTO rules and Aid for Trade.

Tags:

WTO

Trade

Market access

Preferences

Publication Date:

Thursday, 18 December 2025

WTO Secretariat

Document Topic/Theme:

Trade

LDC graduation and smooth transition

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025

The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (brochure)

MTAVARES1 — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Link to an External Document

Author:

United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries

Document Summary:

The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries is the primary entity responsible for building and strengthening the scientific, technological, and innovative capacities of the world’s 44 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The UN Technology Bank is pivotal in facilitating access to knowledge, technologies, and technical assistance essential for accelerated and sustainable development in these countries. The Doha Programme of Action recognizes it as a focal point for least developed countries on STI capacity-building for structural economic transformation.

Tags:

Technology Bank

UN Technology Bank

Technology

Publication Date:

Monday, 17 November 2025

United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025

Tariff disruptions: The impact on least developed countries (UNCTAD)

MTAVARES1 — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Link to an External Document

Author:

UNCTAD

Document Summary:

"For over a decade, the international community has pursued an elusive goal: doubling the 1% share of global exports of the least developed countries (LDCs). While the goal remains largely off track, tariffs on LDCs’ exports to the US market have recently tripled – and are twice as high as those faced by developed countries. This will erode the competitiveness of the 44 LDCs in a market that represents nearly 10% of their exports. LDCs’ light manufacturing exports are hit the hardest. The end of AGOA and HOPE/HELP preferential access to the US market may further undermine their competitiveness — especially in textile and apparel, key sectors for women’s employment. These factors can weaken the productivity spillovers and structural transformation historically associated with manufacturing. Tariff disruptions underscore the need for LDCs to double down on regional integration and productive capacities as means for economic diversification. This would pave the path to a more prosperous and resilient future. Key messages: Tariff disruptions are a stark reminder of the importance of the multilateral trading system, including special and differential treatment for LDCs. Structural transformation is more necessary than ever to cope with tariff shocks. Untapped diversification options exist within the Global South, notably through regional integration. Structural transformation is the goal. Trade and productive capacities are the means."

Tags:

Tariffs

Trade

Productive capacity

Structural transformation

AGOA

Preferences

Market access

Publication Date:

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

UNCTAD

Document Topic/Theme:

Trade

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025

How Can the World Trade Organization Foster Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Least Developed Countries? (IISD Policy Brief)

MTAVARES1 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Link to an External Document

Author:

Facundo Calvo

Document Summary:

This brief explores how World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and processes on agricultural subsidies, intellectual property, and export restrictions could be improved to foster climate-resilient food systems in least developed countries (LDCs). The brief recommends the following:• providing targeted assistance to LDCs to design climate-resilient agricultural subsidies and use existing WTO rules on domestic support more effectively;• offering financial support and policy advice to help LDCs optimize their public budgets for food and agriculture;• clarifying existing disciplines on export competition so that food aid and concessional sales to LDCs are not treated as prohibited export subsidies; • mapping key climate technologies for LDCs and their intellectual property status; • enhancing the effectiveness of existing provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) relevant to technology transfer to LDCs, in particular Article 66.2; • establishing a dedicated transition framework under the TRIPS Agreement for LDCs graduating in the coming years; • prohibiting the imposition of export bans by food-producing countries that adversely affect LDCs; • providing clearer guidance on the interpretation of terms such as “critical shortage” and “temporary” under Article XI:2 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 governing export restrictions; • limiting export restrictions voluntarily to the extent necessary to meet the domestic needs of food-exporting countries; • providing guidance to fertilizer-producing countries on the use of export restrictions; • developing a global repository to host food security-related statistics relevant to LDCs.

Tags:

Food systems

Climate

WTO

TRIPS

Intellectual Property Rights

Subsidies

Resilience

Publication Date:

Thursday, 16 October 2025

IISD

Document Topic/Theme:

Poverty, health, education, food security, employment, social security

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025

Strengthening Medical Technology Innovation Ecosystems to address Noncommunicable Diseases in Least Developed Countries (WIPO)

MTAVARES1 — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Link to an External Document

Author:

WIPO, Technology Bank, Medtronic

Document Summary:

"The UN Technology Bank, in collaboration with Medtronic and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), has released a new study examining how the medical technology (MedTech) sector can respond to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for more than 70% of global deaths. Through in-depth fieldwork in Bangladesh and Rwanda, the study analyzed innovation culture, intellectual property (IP) frameworks, regulatory systems, financing, and policy environments to identify barriers and enablers of MedTech development in least developed countries (LDCs). Using the triple helix model of innovation, the research assesses how public and private sector dynamics can support or hinder MedTech innovation and access in LDCs. This report is the result of a collaborative research effort led by WIPO’s Global Health Unit, Global Challenges Division, in coordination with UN Technology Bank and Medtronic. The research and co-authorship were conducted by Neta Glaser, Siddhartha Prakash, Eva Bishwal, and Gabriela de Obarrio from WIPO."

Tags:

WIPO

Bangladesh

Rwanda

Innovation

Innovation ecosystems

TRIPS

Intellectual Property Rights

Technology

Technology Transfer

Technology Bank

Medical

Non-communicable diseases

Health

Publication Date:

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

WIPO

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025

LDC Graduation: experiences with smooth transition strategies

MTAVARES1 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Drupal File Upload

Author:

CDP Secretariat

Document Summary:

Graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category is an important milestone. It can also create certain challenges related to the withdrawal of international support measures that are exclusive to LDCs. Hence, when in 1991 the United Nations General Assembly introduced the concept of graduation, it also stressed the need for a “smooth transition”, which it took up in several resolutions over time. This series of briefs summarizes the smooth transition strategy experiences of some of the countries that have graduated from the LDC category since 2020 or are in the process of graduating. (Revised - August 2025)

Tags:

Graduation

Lao PDR

Bhutan

Nepal

Vanuatu

Bangladesh

Publication Date:

Thursday, 07 November 2024

CDP Secretariat

Document Topic/Theme:

LDC graduation and smooth transition

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2024

Tariff shocks and graduation from the least developed country category - World Economic Situation and Prospects Monthly Briefing No. 191, July 2025

MTAVARES1 — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Document Type:

Link to an External Document

Author:

Shantanu Mukherjee, Matthias Bruckner, Rashmi Banga

Document Summary:

This World Economic Situation and Prospects Monthly Briefing reviews the possible impacts of the current tariff shock on LDCs, with a focus on their graduation. It first examines the role of trade in LDC graduation, followed by the importance of the United States as destination for LDC exports. It then reviews the potential impacts of the announced tariffs on LDC exports, as well as broader impacts on these economies. The Monthly Briefing concludes by reviewing policy options for a way forward.

Tags:

UNDESA

Graduation

Trade

Tariffs

Committee for Development Policy (CDP)

Publication Date:

Monday, 07 July 2025

UNDESA

Document Topic/Theme:

Trade

LDC graduation and smooth transition

Document Type:

Articles, policy briefs, working papers, op-eds, project reports, blogs

Archived:

Symbol year:

2025