Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Lao government delegation officially announced that the country has fully met the three “Least Developed Countries (LDC) Graduation Criteria” set by the United Nations and is ready to exit the transition. This positive progress assessment report was submitted at an international conference held in Doha from December 2nd to 4th, attended by over 150 representatives from LDCs, partner countries, and the UN system.
Three Key Milestones Achieved: Lao Ambassador to the UN, Thongpan Savanphet, detailed the graduation process at the conference. The country gradually met the three core criteria in 2018, 2021, and 2024, specifically achieving excellent performance in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, human capital index, and economic and environmental vulnerability index.
The UN's LDC graduation threshold requires a GNI per capita of over US$1306 (the inclusion standard is below US$1088). Laos expects its GNI per capita to reach approximately US$1985 by the end of this year, far exceeding the threshold. The Human Asset Index focuses on health and education outcomes, encompassing indicators such as under-five mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, adult literacy rate, secondary school enrollment rate, and gender equality. The Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index measures a country's capacity to cope with economic shocks and natural disasters, including dimensions such as geographical remoteness and agricultural dependence.
Steady Transition with Three Core Objectives
The UN General Assembly initially recommended that Laos graduate in 2021, granting a transition period from 2026 to 2029. Laos completed its smooth transition strategy in 2023 and is currently preparing a preparedness assessment report to support a stable and sustainable exit.
This transition strategy is integrated into the core of the national plan, establishing three core objectives: "smooth graduation, high-quality graduation, and sustainable graduation." It outlines 22 priority actions around four pillars: macroeconomic stability, trade and investment, human capital, and climate resilience. Each action has a designated lead department to ensure accountability and progress, while also being deeply integrated with the national socio-economic development plan and monitored through the annual reports and oversight mechanisms of the UN Development Policy Committee.
Facing Challenges and Strengthening the Foundation for Development Through International Cooperation
Thongpan Savanphet emphasized that graduation is a significant milestone for Laos in its resilience-based and people-centered development, but it also faces potential challenges. He pointed out that the premature withdrawal of international aid measures, coupled with new risks brought about by climate change, trade volatility, and digital technology transformation, could threaten the development achievements already made.
Laos will continue to rely on strong international partnerships to ensure long-term development, while using digital transformation, green growth, and regional integration as leverage to open new paths for trade and investment and build a more resilient economy. At the close of the meeting, the participants unanimously adopted the "Doha Consensus Declaration on Building a Global Partnership for Sustainable and Resilient Poverty Alleviation," which will provide support for countries, including Laos, preparing to exit the ranks of least developed countries.
Eliminating least developed country status has been a priority for the Lao government for over two decades, a goal highly aligned with the country's Ninth National Socio-Economic Development Plan, the draft Tenth Plan, and the Party's resolution on building a strong, self-reliant economy.
