Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir on Sunday said the decision to extend Bangladesh’s preparatory period for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category by three years is a significant diplomatic success for the country.
“Extending the timeframe for LDC graduation is an important diplomatic success for Bangladesh. We achieved this success within just eight months of the formation of the government under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” he told UNB over the phone on Sunday.
He said they have been able to properly explain its necessity to the United Nations and the international community.
Kobir made the remarks ahead of his participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4 as the acting foreign minister.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has recently unanimously adopted a resolution granting Bangladesh a three-year extension of its preparatory period for graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category, extending the deadline to November 24, 2029.
The decision marks a significant diplomatic achievement for the current government, giving Bangladesh additional time to strengthen economic resilience, enhance export competitiveness and prepare for the eventual loss of LDC-specific trade preferences and international support measures, Bangladesh said on Friday.
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Irene Zubaida Khan said, “Bangladesh is graduating from the LDC category not because the international process calls for it, but because graduation is an aspiration of our people. It is a national imperative, and our government is firmly committed to achieving that goal.”
Following the formation of the new government, Bangladesh formally requested the extension on 18 February 2026, citing global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, changing trade dynamics, energy and supply-chain risks, and domestic economic challenges.
The UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) recommended favorable consideration of the request.
Subsequently, on July 21, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) recommended that the General Assembly take a final decision.
To facilitate the negotiations, the government developed a three-year roadmap outlining measurable actions to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition.
The extension period will provide additional time to address structural vulnerabilities, diversify exports, improve infrastructure and logistics, and implement essential economic reforms.
The extension offers Bangladesh a crucial window to implement necessary reforms and build a more competitive, diversified and resilient economy ahead of its revised graduation date.
