The Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally seek a three-year deferral of Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, citing global volatility and mounting domestic economic pressures.
He is set to write to the UN Secretary-General seeking to defer the transition deadline from November 2026 to November 2029, according to Economic Relations Division documents seen by TIMES of Bangladesh.
The government said a series of unprecedented global and domestic adversities have slowed progress on key structural reforms needed for a smooth transition.
The move follows an earlier application submitted to the UN Committee for Development Policy on 18 February, where the government outlined the challenges facing the economy.
These include sluggish post-pandemic recovery and continued volatility in global food and energy markets, driven by the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East.
On the domestic front, the government pointed to financial sector uncertainties and the economic fallout from the 2024 mass student-led uprising.
It also flagged rising trade risks, including possible tariff pressures in the US market and uncertainty over retaining European Union trade benefits.
The request aligns with findings from the Bangladesh Graduation Readiness Assessment published by the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in September 2025.
While the report confirmed that Bangladesh met the technical criteria for graduation, it identified significant gaps in actual preparedness.
The Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the extension is needed to restore macroeconomic stability, boost productivity, and strengthen competitiveness before losing LDC-specific support.
Officials said a direct communication from the prime minister is expected to carry diplomatic weight in building international support.
The final decision will be taken through a vote at the UN General Assembly before the November 2026 deadline.
Bangladesh has stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure backing from partner countries to ensure approval of the extension.
Officials said the additional time would help implement critical reforms and reduce the risk of a sudden economic shock after graduation.
