Bangladesh has stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure international support for a three-year deferment of its graduation from the United Nations’ Least Developed Country (LDC) category, as the 81st session of the UN General Assembly gets underway in New York.
A decision on Bangladesh’s request, along with Nepal’s similar proposal, is expected during the General Assembly session. The high-level segment of the UNGA is scheduled to take place from September 18 to 28.
Bangladesh’s request has already received a recommendation from the UN Committee for Development Policy (UNCDP), following which the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) agreed to place the proposal before the General Assembly.
Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan said Bangladesh has been actively seeking support from various countries and international trade blocs, including the European Union (EU), for a three-year extension. He recently visited New Zealand and Australia as part of the diplomatic campaign.
Bangladesh has also sought backing from the G77, a group representing 135 developing countries. According to the commerce secretary, G77 members have committed to supporting Bangladesh’s proposal at the UN General Assembly.
The government is also engaging with the EU and African LDCs, while Nepal has expressed support for Bangladesh’s efforts. Senior government officials and Bangladesh’s high commissioners abroad have reportedly been working to build support among governments and international groups.
The proposal could be approved without a formal vote if member states reach consensus. If consensus is not achieved, however, the matter will be put to a vote, with Bangladesh requiring a two-thirds majority for approval.
Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan expressed optimism that Bangladesh would be able to secure the necessary support, noting that the government has been lobbying international partners for several months.
Bangladesh’s LDC graduation is currently scheduled for 24 November 2026. The government has argued that additional time is necessary to strengthen the country’s preparedness and ensure a smoother transition following graduation.
The business community has also strongly supported the deferment request. Business leaders have cited high borrowing costs, economic uncertainty and the impact of political changes since 2024 as factors that have created additional pressure on businesses.
A UN assessment released earlier this year identified several challenges to Bangladesh’s readiness, despite the country meeting all three formal criteria for LDC graduation. The assessment highlighted risks related to the potential loss of trade preferences, fiscal and financial vulnerabilities, institutional coordination and continued macroeconomic pressures.
According to a recent assessment by UN Trade and Development, Bangladesh could face a loss of more than $17.5 billion in annual exports following graduation if adequate measures are not taken to manage the transition and preserve market access.
Economists and business leaders have therefore urged the government to intensify its engagement with key international partners, particularly the EU, UK, G77 members and African LDCs.
Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said Bangladesh needs to secure the deferment during the current UNGA session because its graduation is scheduled for November.
Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), also stressed the importance of building consensus among UN member states. He identified the EU, UK, Scandinavian countries, G77 members and African LDCs as particularly important partners in the effort.
Meanwhile, the national committee on LDC graduation has held a final preparatory meeting on the deferment proposal at the Finance Ministry. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and attended by ministers, advisers and senior officials from various ministries.
The outcome of Bangladesh’s diplomatic efforts is expected to become clearer during the high-level proceedings of the 81st UN General Assembly, with the deferment decision potentially emerging as one of the country’s most significant economic and trade policy developments of the year.
