8 June 2012
AHWG Adopts Recommendations on Smooth Transition Process for LDC Graduates
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The Ad Hoc Working Group established by the UN General Assembly to consider the smooth transition process for countries graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category has completed its work, adopting recommendations to be considered by the UNGA in its next session.

The LDC category currently includes 11 small island developing States (SIDS).

6 June 2012: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) to Further Strengthen the Smooth Transition Process for the Countries Graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) Category held its second formal meeting on 6 June 2012, in New York, US. The Group considered draft recommendations and adopted the report to be submitted to the 67th session of the UNGA.

In its recommendations on strengthening the smooth transition process, AHWG notes that: information about and understanding of existing support measures are key; strong national transition strategies are the basis for successful transition; and coherence is crucial. The AHWG also recommends that support from the UN System should be increased, and that some aspects of the UNGA’s role in the transition process require clarification.

In its recommendations on strengthening smooth transition measures, the AHWG notes: characteristics of the support measures during the transition period; the need for an early start of discussions on transition measures; the continued need for Official Development Assistance (ODA); the need to adapt trade-related measures to the new development situation; that technical assistance remains a valued companion; that travel benefits to be broadened to new organs/institutions; and new mechanisms of support for smooth transition.

Eleven small island developing States (SIDS) are categorized as LDCs, namely: Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Maldives, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. [Letter of Co-Chairs, Circulating Draft Report] [Publication: Draft Report of AHWG; Official Version: A/67/92] [Webpage of AHWG]

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