Photo: Collected

DHAKA, July 22, 2026 (BSS) – The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has recommended that the UN General Assembly take a final decision on Bangladesh's request for a three-year extension of its preparatory period before graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

The recommendation was made through a consensus decision adopted by ECOSOC member states at a meeting of the council on Tuesday, according to a message received here today.   

A similar recommendation was also made regarding Nepal's request, it added.
 
Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury introduced the draft decision on behalf of Bangladesh and Nepal, outlining the rationale behind the requests for extending the preparatory period.

The ECOSOC decision followed assessments by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), which concluded that it would be appropriate for the UN General Assembly to consider granting the requested extensions to both countries.

Under the decision, ECOSOC recommended that the General Assembly take a final decision on the requests before November 24, 2026, the date on which Bangladesh and Nepal are currently scheduled to graduate from the LDC category.

Following the adoption of the decision, Ambassador Chowdhury reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to ensuring a smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation from the LDC category.

He also reiterated the country's firm commitment to undertaking the necessary policy measures and reforms to strengthen its preparedness for graduation should the UN General Assembly approve the proposed deferral.