Telling the trade stories of least developed countries

The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the WTO talks graduation journey, Covid-19 and climate resilience, and how leaving the LDC category means the work as only just started.

Originally published by OECD Development Matters blog on 30th April 2021

On avoiding risks and challenges for countries striving to reduce poverty and tackle climate change

LDCs face a variety of challenges. Apart from a few rare and often unstable and reversible economic successes, LDCs, and especially those in Africa, which represent over 80% of the group's members, have not properly benefitted from the expansion of the global economy and international trade seen in recent decades. Some have even become relatively deindustrialized, despite increased access to imported intermediate products, particularly those destined for the manufacturing sector. LDCs continue to integrate into global value chains mainly by exporting unprocessed products and intermediate products that are raw material‑intensive. However, this route is too long and too complex, and, to make matters worse, is controlled from end to end by multinational firms that are reluctant to consider a change of course.

Cabo Verde is often described as “off the beaten path”, whatever that means. In reality, the tiny country of 10 islands has been on many paths since the 15th century, when Portuguese sailors first stopped in the uninhabited archipelago.

The world is changing, and so should our support to the world’s poorest countries

New report dives into the details of shifting treatment, export markets and more

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.

How will graduation impact countries in South Asia and the trade support they benefit from? How can they prepare?

On Timor-Leste’s development progress, and what remains to be done

For many, graduation from least developed country status is not the end of the story.

Following rapid progress, up to 12 LDCs may leave the category in coming years. The countries involved include up to a quarter of the total LDC population.

Graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, a milestone in a country’s development, is not free of controversies.

The international system governing the environment and economy is under pressure, but it is in trade where least developed countries (LDCs) may lose most from cracks in the global order.

Vanuatu became a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) back in 2012, and has made immense economic progress.

Economic diversification and empowerment are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; they also embody the rationale behind the Aid for Trade Initiative.

The EIF’s Daria Shatskova talks development in the world’s poorest countries with UNDESA’s Daniel Gay