Nepal Requests UN to Halt Least Developed Country Status Upgrade, Bangladesh Raises Similar Concerns

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently sent an official letter, along with a request for an immediate halt to the process that would lead to the advancement of Nepal from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Developing Country, to the relevant United Nations agency, as informed by a senior official of the ministry. The matter is being observed by the United Nations' Economic and Social Council. However, the specific duration for the suspension of the process was not disclosed. Typically, the evaluation of the necessary criteria related to this transition is conducted every three years. The United Nations General Assembly approved a proposal in 2021 to provide a transitional period of five years for countries moving towards development from Least Developed Countries, which is scheduled to begin in November of this year. Economist Posharaj Pandey mentioned that while Nepal has made the request, the United Nations Council is likely to accept it without his personal objection. He also highlighted that Bangladesh had previously made a similar request when they were in the Least Developed Country category. Pandey stated, "If Bangladesh, being a Least Developed Country, can express concerns about how we can become a Developing Country, then we should also be able to do so. The Council does not require the consent of the concerned country to make a decision." Bangladesh had also sent an official letter to Nepal some time ago when Nepal had requested a formal letter for the purpose of suspension.