COVID-19

February 15, 2022 - Daniel K. Kalinaki

As pandemic eases, LDCs face a long road to recovery

The World Bank warned that recovery will be slower in low-income countries, especially small, fragile and conflict-affected states. This is due to lower vaccination rates, tighter fiscal and monetary policies, and more persistent scarring from the pandemic.

October 14, 2020 - Jenny Larsen

What industrialization means for well-being – and why it matters

Originally published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on 17 September 2020

October 13, 2020 - Peter Donelan

Responsible tourism in Tanzania, recommendations for COVID-19 recovery

How can the country build back better?

September 24, 2020 - Marlynne Hopper

Future-proofing safe trade now urgent for developing countries

COVID-19 is highlighting the interconnectedness of agri-food trade; and work needs to be done to mobilise action to build safe food systems

September 02, 2020 - Violeta Gonzalez Behar, Toyin Abiodun

Cooperatives help cross border traders stay in business during COVID-19

Originally published by THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION NEWS on 18 August 2020

August 19, 2020 - Alexander Thern-Svanberg, Javier Garcia

The clock is ticking on electronic advance data for trade and ecommerce in LDCs

Urgent digital transformation is needed to create safe and secure cross border ecommerce customs clearance in the world’s poorest countries

August 17, 2020 - UNCTAD

Ugandan ecommerce platforms power recovery from COVID-19 crisis

Partnerships with development agencies and government efforts to boost the digital economy are helping soften the economic blow of the pandemic.

August 11, 2020 - Violeta Gonzalez Behar, Anisse Terai

COVID-19 is exacerbating the global trade finance gap

Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda 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 29, 2020 - Michelle Kovacevic

Making it faster and easier for South Asian women to take businesses online

Recently launched ecommerce training program and portal will help hundreds of women entrepreneurs in South Asian LDCs become part of regional and global supply chains.

July 22, 2020 - Michelle Kovacevic, Violeta Gonzalez Behar

Vanuatu leading Pacific in digitising customs and biosecurity clearance

Country’s online trading system off to a timely start, as COVID’s physical distancing requirements disrupt manual systems

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 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 Behar

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

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 28, 2020 - UNCTAD

Tanzania, Malawi prepare to reap benefits of digital economy

UNCTAD has assessed the state of play in the two countries and identified policy actions required to harness ecommerce for development.

May 26, 2020 - Deanna Ramsay

How does graduation from least developed country status change a nation’s trade prospects?

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

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