77 nations back more time for Bangladesh and Nepal before they graduate from least-developed status

Graduating from the UN's least-developed-country category is an honour — and a cliff edge, because trade preferences and concessional finance fall away. This week Uruguay tabled a General Assembly resolution, backed by 77 nations and China, to extend the preparatory period for Bangladesh and Nepal by three years, to November 2029, following recommendations from the UN Committee for Development Policy and the Economic and Social Council. Both countries sought the delay to absorb economic shocks and fix structural weaknesses first. Member states have until November 24 to decide — but the breadth of backing is itself the good news: development, given time to be done properly.

SDG 17 · Partnerships for the goals — Mechanism: policy reform