缅北禁地

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 Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Photo: Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

About Least Developed Countries

Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as the “poorest and weakest segment” of the international community. 

The LDCs host about 40% of world’s poor. Many are suffering conflict or emerging from one. LDCs account for 13% of world population but only about 1.3% of global GDP and less than 1% of global trade and FDI. Even if on the rise, still barely a fifth of the population in LDCs has access to the internet. 

The low level of socio-economic development in LDCs is characterized by historically weak development capacity, low and unequally distributed income and scarcity of domestic financial resources. LDCs typically rely on agrarian economies which subsequently can be affected by a vicious cycle of low productivity and low investment, especially as wealthier countries develop and utilize more productive farming technologies. Generally, LDCs rely on few primary commodities as major sources of exports and fiscal earnings, causing them to be vulnerable to external terms-of-trade shocks. Some LDCs have been able to diversify into the manufacturing sector though often remain limited to products in labour-intensive industries, such as textiles and apparel.  

These development constraints are responsible for insufficient domestic resource mobilization, low economic management capacity, weaknesses in programme design and implementation, chronic external deficits, high debt burdens and heavy dependence on external financing in LDCs. 

The Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries

The Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 identified 8 priority areas for LDCs and development partners to focus on in order to advance development in LDCs. 
 

With the IPoA implementation period completed, UN-OHRLLS has been mandated by the General Assembly to be the focal point for the preparations of the Fifth 缅北禁地Conference on the LDCs (LDC5). The conference will be held in two parts: the adoption of the new Doha Programme of Action which occurred in New York on March 17, 2022, and the main conference which will be held in Doha, Qatar on 5-9 March, 2023.

LDC Group and Bureau

The Group of LDCs, currently chaired by the , actively promotes and protects LDCs interests in implementing the Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This advocacy takes place through relevant conferences, meetings and other intergovernmental and non-governmental processes.  

Read more about LDC Group and Bureau

LDC National Focal Points

A network of National Focal Points (NFPs) of LDCs was established by OHRLLS after the adoption of the Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs in 2001.  

Read more about LDC National Focal Points