COVID-19
August 05, 2020 -
Brendan Vickers, Salamat Ali, Collin Zhuawu
Looking at LDCs, food and COVID-19
Food products comprise around 17% of LDC merchandise imports – more than double the world average of 8%.
August 04, 2020 -
Ratnakar Adhikari
Lessons from LDCs’ responses to COVID-19: From crisis to opportunities?
Originally published in OECD-Development Matters on 6 July 2020
August 03, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
Much more than a health crisis: What EIF has learnt from COVID-19
As LDCs grapple with ongoing economic fallout from COVID-19, EIF activities have yielded valuable insights for recovery.
July 31, 2020 -
Fanan Biem
Blockchain and LDC trade during COVID-19
The macroeconomic context for developing country trade in the time of COVID-19
July 30, 2020 -
Ratnakar Adhikari
How can least developed countries attract foreign direct investment in the context of COVID-19?
Ways for LDCs to adapt amid global turmoil
July 21, 2020 -
Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, Müge Dolun, Carmen Schuber, Nicolas Schmidt
Industries post-COVID-19: A gender-responsive approach to global economic recovery
Women’s specific needs and potential as leaders and agents of change must be considered for COVID-19 mitigation and recovery measures.
July 16, 2020 -
Sophia Gnych
COVID-19 and the seed sector: How countries are navigating challenges
OECD’s Seed Schemes are working to protect food systems globally, with important benefits for least developed countries
July 15, 2020 -
UNCTAD
Cambodia’s digital startups help blunt economic impact of COVID-19
An uptick in business, especially in the delivery of food and essential items, is enhancing resilience in the wake of the crisis.
July 14, 2020 -
Brendan Vickers, Salamat Ali
Unpacking COVID-19-related medical supply chains in Commonwealth LDCs
Although LDCs are home to 13.3% of the world’s population, their share of COVID-19-related medical imports is just 1%.
July 08, 2020 -
Peter Drysdale
Time for Asian partners to work together on a global COVID recovery strategy
Six new objectives for regional policy cooperation
July 07, 2020 -
Adnan Seric, Jostein Hauge
COVID-19 and the global contraction in FDI
Originally published by UNIDO in May 2020
June 24, 2020 -
Violeta Gonzalez
Don’t put export bans on medical supplies during COVID-19. Why trade should flow freely to the world’s poorest countries
Originally published in OECD-Development Matters on 28 April 2020
June 23, 2020 -
Anna Spenceley
COVID-19 and tourism in Africa’s protected areas: Impacts and recovery needs
COVID-19 has led to a steep decline in business for operators in protected areas, coupled with a substantial drop in future booking requests.
June 16, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
David Laborde: How to help LDCs stay food secure through COVID-19
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses the challenges and opportunities for food security in least developed countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
June 11, 2020 -
Online discussion: Tourism & COVID-19
Tourism is the backbone of many developing world economies, and the sector is being drastically affected by COVID-19. How can countries weather and recover this crisis? What lessons can we take from the past?
June 09, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
Fragile countries call for cooperation in battle against COVID-19
Pandemic response highlights resilience of already-fragile countries
June 08, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
Tourism and COVID-19: An opportunity to rebuild better
Halting of travel devastating sector that is a key driver of growth in the world’s poorest countries
June 05, 2020 -
Jodie Keane
Least developed country vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19
The world is changing, and so should our support to the world’s poorest countries
June 03, 2020 -
Paul Akiwumi, Giovanni Valensisi
When it rains it pours: COVID-19 exacerbates poverty risks in the poorest countries
Originally published by UNCTAD on 7 May 2020
June 02, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
Creating a strong investment climate in the wake of COVID-19
Supply chains are vulnerable, but there is also promise in new sectors for least developed countries
May 29, 2020 -
Online discussion: LDC graduation & COVID-19
Only 5 countries have graduated from LDC status since the category was established in 1971. 12 are set to potentially graduate in the coming years, largely based on economic gains. But with COVID-19 slowing economies and trade, is LDC graduation in peril?
May 19, 2020 -
Daniel Gay
Six suggestions for improving support to least developed countries
To get LDC graduation back on track, and to help other LDCs, reform of the international system of support must be fundamental and far-reaching.
May 18, 2020 -
Rajan Sudesh Ratna, Hang T.T. Tran
South Asian least developed countries: The rocky path to sustainable graduation
How will graduation impact countries in South Asia and the trade support they benefit from? How can they prepare?
May 13, 2020 -
Brendan Vickers, Salamat Ali, Deanna Ramsay
COVID-19 hitting tourism hard: What does this mean for the world’s poorest countries?
Examining the potential impact of tourism disruption in LDCs; developing policy recommendations to limit the damage, initiate recovery and build resilience
May 13, 2020 -
Online discussion: Fragility & conflict
48% of impoverished people today live in fragile and conflict-affected states, and the number is increasing. COVID-19 has the potential to make the situation even worse. What can countries and global institutions do to stem this tide and improve stability?
May 07, 2020 -
Ratnakar Adhikari, Dorothy Tembo
How poor countries can deal with the economic shock of COVID-19
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 24 April 2020
May 05, 2020 -
UNCTAD
Senegal's ecommerce sector helps country cope with COVID-19
Trade ministry fast-tracks measures to ease access to essential goods and services during the pandemic.
May 04, 2020 -
Soo Hyun Kim, Yann Duval
In the world’s poorest countries, the move to digitalize trade procedures is needed now more than ever
COVID-19 is highlighting the need for paperless trade in developing countries; a recent assessment offers recommendations for how to start
April 29, 2020 -
Dale Honeck, Kim Kampel
West Africa's (eco)tourism initiative: Last chance to protect African biodiversity
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel impacts, West Africa’s objectives remain valid
April 28, 2020 -
Jodie Keane
COVID-19 and trade: Challenges ahead for least developed countries and Small Island Developing States
Originally published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on 1 April 2020
April 27, 2020 -
Axel Addy
How can Africa’s trade ministers help combat COVID-19? Lessons from Ebola
Trade ministers are playing an essential role in the pandemic response
April 21, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
What are least developed countries doing in response to COVID-19?
A roundup of recent news on the global pandemic, covering issues facing some of the world’s poorest countries – and what they are doing
April 15, 2020 -
Duncan Maru, Sabitri Sapkota
Coronavirus is coming for the world's poor. Here are six ways to help.
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 23 March 2020
April 09, 2020 -
Trudi Hartzenberg
COVID-19 in Africa – some reflections on trade matters
Poverty, inequality and exclusion are key factors contributing to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on all African countries.
April 07, 2020 -
Joseph Glauber, David Laborde, Will Martin, Rob Vos
COVID-19: Trade restrictions are worst possible response to safeguard food security
Originally published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) on 27 March 2020
April 01, 2020 -
Peter Donelan, Théo Mbise, Visvanathan Subramaniam
COVID-19, least developed countries and financial support
What are international institutions pledging in the wake of the pandemic?
March 31, 2020 -
Anabel González
Yes, medical gear depends on global supply chains. Here's how to keep them moving.
Originally published by Peterson Institute for International Economics on 27 March 2020
March 24, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
What’s happening with COVID-19 in LDCs?
A compendium of recent news on the global pandemic and what some of the world’s poorest countries are doing
March 18, 2020 -
Simon J. Evenett
On tariffs, soap and tackling COVID-19
The right trade policies would help the world combat current pandemic