Bangladesh urges UN to extend LDC transition period amid global instability

Bangladesh’s UN envoy says geopolitical conflict, shrinking aid, climate shocks and energy uncertainty are making it harder for graduating countries to prepare for life after LDC status

Bangladesh has urged the United Nations to allow more time for its transition out of the least developed country (LDC) category, citing global economic and geopolitical instability.

Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh's permanent representative to the UN, made the call during the general debate of the “ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum 2026” held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

Bangladesh is currently set to graduate from LDC status on Nov 24, 2026.

Highlighting the need for a "sustainable and smooth transition", Noman pointed to a confluence of global challenges that have hampered the progress of graduating nations.

He noted that geopolitical conflicts, dwindling development aid, climate-related shocks, trade barriers, and energy sector uncertainties are increasingly restricting the policy options for developing countries.

Currently, as an LDC, Bangladesh enjoys duty-free and quota-free access to major export markets, particularly in Europe.

These trade benefits are due to expire once the country leaves the category, raising concern over the competitiveness of its exports.

Noman also briefed the forum on Bangladesh’s recent efforts towards political and economic recovery.

He said the time had come to ensure that foreign direct investment flows into productive, job-creating sectors through technology transfer, while avoiding what he described as ineffective infrastructure-related debt.

He further called for a more representative global financial architecture and stressed the need for climate justice, including effective measures to address loss and damage.

Noman also urged the international community to take decisive action in returning laundered assets to their rightful owners.