Graduating countries (preparatory period)

Country actions

• Remains in the LDC category and is entitled to receive all benefits available to LDCs
• Prepares a national transition strategy and establishes a consultative mechanism to facilitate its preparation in cooperation with development partners
• May seek assistance from the United Nations system in the preparation of the transition strategy
• Voluntarily reports on the preparation of the transition strategy to the CDP on an annual basis

CDP actions

• Monitors the development progress of the country and submits an annual report to ECOSOC
• Report provides information on the preparation of the transition strategy, if provided by the country

Smooth transition strategy

• Aims to ensure that development efforts are not disrupted by graduation
• Focuses on expected implications of loss of LDC status and associated special support measures
• Presents a comprehensive and coherent set of specific measures in accordance with the priorities of the graduating country, taking into account its specific structural challenges, vulnerabilities and strengths
• Implemented after graduation takes place

Countries scheduled for graduation

• Bangladesh (2026)
• Cambodia (2029)
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic (2026)
• Nepal (2026)
• Senegal (2029)
• Solomon Islands (2027)

Smooth transition period (post graduation)

Country actions

• Graduation is effective, as decided by the General Assembly
• No longer belongs to the LDC category
• Implements the transition strategy
• Provides a progress report to the CDP annually for three consecutive years after graduation, then triennially at two triennial reviews
• Report provides information on the implementation of the transition strategy and indicates the impact of reduced or withdrawn support measures on the development progress

CDP actions

• CDP monitoring report to ECOSOC is submitted annually for three consecutive years after graduation, then at two triennial reviews (for a maximum of nine years)
• Report indicates signs of reversal in the development progress of the country and includes an assessment of the inputs from the country, if provided
• Consultation with the country takes place before the finalization of the CDP report

Easing the impact of graduation

• Development partners should support the implementation of the transition strategy
• WTO members should extend existing differential treatment available to LDCs for a period appropriate to the development situation
• Development and trading partners should extend LDC preferential market access for some time
• Development partners should avoid abrupt reductions in development or technical assistance

Graduated countries

• Botswana (1994)
• Cabo Verde (2007)
• Maldives (2011)
• Samoa (2014)
• Equatorial Guinea (2017)
• Vanuatu (2020)
• Bhutan (2023)
• São Tomé and Príncipe (2024)

Additional information

The Handbook on the Least Developed Country Category provides additional information on the smooth transition from the LDC category Download the handbook: English, French, Portuguese General Assembly resolution 67/221 of 21 December 2012 on the smooth transition for countries graduating from the list of LDCs General Assembly resolution 59/209 of 20 December 2004 on the smooth transition strategy for countries graduating from the list of LDCs

Reporting procedure

Time frame of reporting by graduating/graduated country and the CDP