ECOSOC recommends extending LDC graduation preparation period for Bangladesh

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has recommended that the UN General Assembly consider requests from Bangladesh and Nepal to extend their preparation period for graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by an additional three years.

Member states unanimously adopted the resolution during an ECOSOC meeting held in New York, officially forwarding the matter to the United Nations General Assembly for a final decision on Tuesday (July 21).

During the meeting, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, presented the application on behalf of both Bangladesh and Nepal. Highlighting the necessity and rationale for the extension, he stated that the additional transition time is critical to ensuring a smooth, sustainable, and stable graduation from LDC status for both nations.

Earlier, the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) reviewed the applications from Bangladesh and Nepal and deemed it appropriate to submit the proposal to the UN General Assembly for consideration. Based on that recommendation, ECOSOC advised the General Assembly to reach a final decision on the matter prior to November 24, 2026.

Under the current timeline, Bangladesh and Nepal are officially scheduled to graduate from the LDC list on November 24, 2026.

Following the adoption of the resolution, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury affirmed that the government remains firmly committed to Bangladesh's successful and sustainable LDC graduation. He expressed hope that if the General Assembly acts positively on the preparation extension, Bangladesh will be able to further strengthen necessary policy reforms, capacity building, and post-LDC transition preparations.