Least developed countries bear the burden of climate change impacts

There are currently 46 economies designated by the UN as the least developed countries (LDCs), entitling them to preferential market access, aid, technological capabilities-building and special technical assistance, among other concessions and international support measures.

"THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST CONSIDER THEIR DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND FULLY SUPPORT THEM TO ENSURE A JUST, BALANCED AND SUSTAINABLE LOW-CARBON TRANSITION."

REBECA GRYNSPAN

UNCTAD SECRETARY-GENERAL

"IT'S CRITICAL TO DELIVER ON LDCS' CALL FOR MEANINGFUL CLIMATE ACTIONS BY DEVELOPED AND EMERGING ECONOMIES."

PRIME MINISTER OF BANGLADESH

SHEIKH HASINA

UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report published on 3 November 2022 says LDCs are the example against which history will judge how effectively the world makes a just low-carbon transition, while considering development needs and countries’ different obligations and capacities to fight climate change.

The world’s 46 LDCs, home to about 1.1 billion people, have contributed minimally to CO2 emissions. In 2019 they accounted for less than 4% of total world greenhouse gas emissions. Yet over the last 50 years, 69% of worldwide deaths caused by climate-related disasters occurred in LDCs.

International support for this group of the world’s most vulnerable economies is critical to address challenges that threaten their development, limit their participation in global trade and make them pay a disproportionately high price in addressing climate change.

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