UN panel asks Bangladesh to submit progress report on LDC graduation

The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has requested the interim government of Bangladesh to submit a progress report on its preparations for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by 31st October.

CDP Chair José Antonio Ocampo formally communicated the request in a letter dated 25th August. On the basis of the report, a meeting will be convened between October and December, with a representative from Bangladesh expected to participate virtually. The agenda, date and list of participants will be announced in due course.

According to government officials, the Ministry of Commerce is preparing the report and intends to send it to the CDP within the deadline. No fresh decision has yet been taken on whether to seek a postponement of graduation. The Advisory Council had earlier resolved in principle, on 13th March, to proceed with graduation.

Bangladesh is due to leave LDC status on 24th November 2026, having already met all the required criteria. While sections of the business community have called for a six-year extension, policymakers remain uncertain about the prospects of securing such a concession.

Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and a CDP member, has emphasised that the way Bangladesh frames its case in the upcoming report could prove decisive. He noted that any request for deferral would need to be backed by robust evidence and strong political support from international development partners.

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