State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has said a number of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are now in the pipeline to graduate, and their challenges should be considered so that the countries never regress to the LDC category.
He made the comment while addressing the annual ministerial meeting of the LDCs held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters on Wednesday, reports UNB.
"There must be focused and time-bound support measures for the graduating and graduated LDCs," said M Shahriar Alam, while emphasizing the need for more LDC-focused discussions at the UN—particularly on bolstering development cooperation in areas critical for the LDCs.
"We need to have a more LDC-focused discussion at the UN," he added.
He pointed out that the LDC group must play a proactive role in highlighting and securing its collective interests at the 73rd UN General Assembly for the full, effective, and timely implementation of the Istanbul Declaration and Programme of Action (IPOA).
Bangladesh completed its term chairing the Global Coordination Bureau of the LDCs on Wednesday.
UNDP Associate Administrator Tegegnework Gettu reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to accelerating the development progress by LDCs—towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
He said LDCs need faster GDP growth that is inclusive and sustained.
"For growth to be inclusive, a significant reduction in income inequality will have to go along with faster growth rates. In addition, LDCs have to snap out of the boom and bust cycle of high growth volatility that affects so many countries," said Tegegnework Gettu.
