UN delegation’s Bangladesh visit postponed

A United Nations delegation scheduled to visit Bangladesh this month to review the country’s readiness for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status has been postponed, with no new dates announced.

The visit was also expected to include the presentation of an independent preparatory assessment report on January 21.

The delegation, led by UN Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima, secretary-general of the Fifth LDC Conference, was deferred due to the upcoming national parliamentary elections, with the interim government opting against hosting the mission at this time.

Sources from the Ministry of Commerce and the Economic Relations Division indicated that the delegation may visit after the newly elected government assumes office.

Bangladesh submitted relevant data to the UN last November to evaluate its overall economic situation, LDC graduation preparedness, and implementation of transition strategies.

Officials said that although the visit is postponed, the assessment report will be sent to Bangladesh on schedule. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said, “Even if the UN does not visit now, we will receive the report and proceed with the next steps.”

Business leaders have repeatedly requested postponement of graduation, citing readiness gaps. Upon leaving LDC status, Bangladesh will lose duty-free export benefits under the World Trade Organisation, potentially reducing exports by 6–14 percent. Officials said US and EU positions on the transition remain cautious, and any objection from an EU member is treated as a collective opposition.

In August, 16 business organisations, including FBCCI, BGMEA, and ICC Bangladesh, jointly called for deferring graduation, a request the government communicated to the UN. However, no positive response has been received so far.

Currently, Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from LDC status on November 24, 2026. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, said the interim government will not seek deferral, but the elected government may make a decision.

Experts and business leaders, including former BGMEA president Fazlul Haque, have urged a delay of at least three years, citing gaps in technical skills, productivity, banking costs, energy supply, infrastructure, and governance, arguing that premature graduation could undermine economic benefits despite meeting the required LDC criteria.