Senior UN officials and development partners meeting in Doha have reaffirmed their commitment to helping the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) transition toward lasting stability and prosperity—while ensuring that hard-won development gains are not lost once countries leave the LDC category.
The three-day meeting brought together ministers, international agencies, and development partners to focus on how countries can “graduate” successfully from LDC status and, crucially, remain resilient afterward. Graduation occurs when countries reach minimum thresholds in income, human assets, and economic resilience.
At the centre of discussions was the Doha Programme of Action (DPOA), which aims to support 15 additional countries in graduating from LDC status by 2031.
Graduation Is Not the Finish Line
While graduation marks progress, many LDCs remain highly vulnerable to climate shocks, conflict, debt distress, and global trade disruptions. UN experts warned that without tailored post-graduation support, progress can quickly unravel.
Closing the meeting, Rabab Fatima, UN High Representative for LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, said the discussions reflected a shared determination to make graduation a genuine turning point.
“There is a strong collective will to ensure that graduation becomes a gateway to resilience, opportunity and sustainable prosperity,” she said, calling for deeper cooperation and concrete incentives to support countries beyond graduation.
Learning from Countries in Transition
Countries preparing to graduate—including Bangladesh, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Nepal—shared lessons from their national transition plans.
States that have already graduated highlighted the challenges of phasing out preferential trade benefits and concessional support, stressing the importance of Smooth Transition Strategies—nationally owned plans that help governments adapt to reduced international assistance.
Delegates agreed these strategies must be:
- Realistic and country-led
- Integrated into long-term development planning
- Supported by continued international cooperation
Boosting Productive Capacity and Trade
The meeting emphasized the need to strengthen productive capacity, particularly through:
- Digital transformation
- Green and climate-resilient industries
- Expanded and diversified trade opportunities
These measures are seen as essential for helping LDCs withstand volatile global economic conditions.
New Funding for Transition Support
A key outcome was renewed backing for the iGRAD Facility, which supports countries during the graduation transition period.
The Qatar Fund for Development announced a $10 million pledge to strengthen the facility.
Its Director General, Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, said the contribution reflects Qatar’s commitment to turning the DPOA into measurable progress, highlighting the power of collective action in supporting vulnerable economies.
What Comes Next
The meeting concluded with the Doha Agreed Statement on Global Partnerships for Sustainable Graduation, outlining principles for a more incentive-based and coordinated approach to supporting graduating countries.
A detailed summary of recommendations will be prepared by Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States and submitted to the UN General Assembly ahead of key global discussions in 2027.
