The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has indicated a favourable stance towards Bangladesh’s request to extend its preparatory period for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, potentially until 24 November 2029, according to a statement issued by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on Tuesday.
CDP Chair José Antonio Ocampo conveyed to the government that, based on the Committee’s review, it would be appropriate for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to consider and approve Bangladesh’s proposal for extending the transition timeline.
However, the Committee also underlined that Bangladesh must undertake substantial domestic reforms during the extended period. These reforms are expected to address structural economic vulnerabilities and ensure a smoother transition after graduation from the LDC group.
Bangladesh had formally requested the extension on 18 February 2026, seeking an additional three years beyond the current preparatory timeframe. Later, on 6 April 2026, the Prime Minister wrote to the UN Secretary-General, requesting his direct support for the proposal.
According to the CDP’s assessment, Bangladesh has already surpassed all three LDC graduation criteria by a considerable margin. The Committee also noted that the country faces a very low risk of falling below these thresholds in the near to medium term, reinforcing its eligibility for graduation while still acknowledging the need for careful transition planning.
The final decision will now depend on the approval of the United Nations General Assembly.
