UNGA to decide on Bangladesh’s LDC extension
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has recommended that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) consider Bangladesh’s request for a three-year extension to its preparatory period before graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
The recommendation was adopted by consensus at an ECOSOC meeting in New York on Monday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The decision also applies to Nepal, which has sought a similar extension to its LDC graduation timeline.
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, presented the draft decision on behalf of Bangladesh and Nepal, outlining the rationale behind the request for additional time to prepare for graduation from the LDC category.
The recommendation follows assessments by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP), which concluded that it would be appropriate for the General Assembly to consider granting the requested extensions to both countries.
Under the ECOSOC decision, the Council recommended that the General Assembly take a final decision on the requests before 24 November 2026, the date on which Bangladesh and Nepal are currently scheduled to graduate from the LDC category.
Following the adoption of the recommendation, Ambassador Chowdhury reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring a smooth, sustainable and successful transition from LDC status.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the policy measures and structural reforms necessary to strengthen the country’s preparedness for graduation, should the General Assembly approve the requested extension.
Bangladesh has consistently maintained that the additional three-year preparatory period would allow the country to consolidate its economic resilience, implement key reforms and ensure a smooth transition from LDC status while safeguarding its hard-earned development gains.
The final decision now rests with the United Nations General Assembly, which is expected to consider the ECOSOC recommendation ahead of Bangladesh’s scheduled graduation date in November 2026.
