The UN Least Developed Country category

Summary

The video explains the criteria and measures for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks. It discusses the UN's Committee for Development Policy (CDP) and its role in reviewing LDC status based on human assets, economic vulnerability, and income. Countries must meet specific thresholds for two consecutive reviews to graduate from LDC status. The video also highlights international support measures such as aid, trade preferences, and climate change financing for LDCs, aiming to promote their development and integration into the global economy.

Takeaways

• 😀 LDCs (Least Developed Countries) are low-income nations highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks with low levels of human assets.
• 😀 The UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) reviews the list of LDCs every three years and makes recommendations on inclusion and graduation.
• 😀 There are three criteria for LDCs: human assets, economic vulnerability, and income per capita.
• 😀 The Human Assets Index includes five indicators: school enrollment, undernourishment, maternal mortality, adult literacy, and under-five mortality.
• 😀 The Economic Vulnerability Index includes eight indicators: population remoteness, export concentration, victims of natural disasters, and instability in exports and agriculture.
• 😀 The latest income per capita threshold for graduation from LDC status is $1,242, with graduation requiring two consecutive reviews meeting at least two criteria.
• 😀 A country may graduate if it exceeds twice the income per capita threshold in two consecutive reviews, with the latest threshold being $2,484.
• 😀 Five countries have graduated from LDC status: Botswana, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, the Maldives, and Samoa.
• 😀 Angola and Vanuatu were scheduled to graduate from the LDC category in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
• 😀 The LDC category provides exclusive international support measures, such as duty- and quota-free access to major markets and special trade arrangements for aid and trade.
• 😀 LDCs receive special and differential treatment from World Trade Organization (WTO) members, with official donors committing to allocate 0.15 to 2% of their aid to LDCs.

Q & A

What are least developed countries (LDCs)?

Least developed countries (LDCs) are low-income nations that are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks, and they also have low levels of human assets.

How often does the UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) review the list of LDCs?

The UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) reviews the list of LDCs every three years.

What are the three criteria used to determine the inclusion and graduation of countries from the LDC list?

The three criteria are human assets, economic vulnerability, and income per capita.

What indicators are included in the human assets index of LDCs?

The human assets index includes five indicators: school enrollment, undernourishment, maternal mortality, adult literacy, and under-five mortality.

How many indicators are there in the economic vulnerability criterion for LDCs?

The economic vulnerability criterion includes eight indicators.

What is the income per capita threshold for graduation from the LDC list?

The income per capita threshold for graduation is $1,242, and a country must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive reviews to be considered for graduation.

What happens if a country exceeds twice the income per capita threshold?

If a country exceeds twice the income per capita threshold, which is $2,484, for two consecutive reviews, it may also qualify for graduation from the LDC list.

Can you name some countries that have graduated from the LDC category?

Yes, five countries have graduated from the LDC category: Botswana, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, the Maldives, and Samoa.

What types of international support are available for LDCs?

LDCs receive various types of international support, including aid and trade benefits, climate change financing, reduced contributions to UN and WTO budgets, and assistance with travel to international meetings.

How does the World Trade Organization treat LDCs differently from other countries?

The World Trade Organization grants special and differential treatment to LDCs, including duty and quota-free access to markets in Europe, the US, and other countries with dedicated trading arrangements.