UN and Partners Renew Push to Help Countries Transition From Vulnerability to Opportunity

A major UN meeting in Doha has concluded with a strengthened global commitment to help the world’s poorest nations build long-term resilience and prosperity, and to ensure that no country slips back after leaving the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

Over three days, ministers, development partners and international agencies examined how LDCs can graduate successfully, meaning they have achieved higher levels of income, human assets and structural resilience. With the Doha Programme of Action (DPOA) aiming for 15 additional graduations by 2031, the gathering focused on how to turn this ambition into lasting progress.

Lessons From Countries in Transition

LDCs today confront overlapping crises such as climate shocks, conflict, debt burdens and volatile trade conditions that threaten development gains. Without tailored support, experts caution that advances made during the path to graduation can quickly unravel.

Countries preparing to graduate, including Bangladesh, Lao PDR and Nepal, shared insights from their transition strategies. Those that have already graduated discussed navigating the shift away from LDC-specific trade preferences, concessional finance and targeted international assistance.

A central message was the importance of Smooth Transition Strategies, national plans that help governments manage the phase-out of LDC benefits. Delegates emphasized that these strategies must be nationally owned, realistic and sequenced, and fully integrated into long-term development plans

Strengthening the iGRAD Facility

One of the meeting’s key developments was renewed support for the iGRAD Facility, which helps countries navigate the complex transition period after graduation.

Qatar announced a 10 million dollar pledge to bolster the mechanism. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, affirmed Qatar’s commitment to translating the DPOA “into measurable progress for Least Developed Countries.”

He noted that the meeting highlighted the power of collective action and the need to equip LDCs with the tools, resources and partnerships required to navigate the transition with confidence.

A Roadmap for the Years Ahead

The conference concluded with the Doha Agreed Statement on Global Partnerships for Sustainable Graduation, which sets out principles for a more coherent and incentive-based approach to supporting countries that are approaching graduation.

A detailed summary of recommendations will be prepared by OHRLLS and submitted to the UN General Assembly ahead of the 2027 midterm review of the DPOA.

More information is available on the event website and on the dedicated page for the Doha Programme of Action.

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