The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Improving Access to Finance for Graduating LDCs was organized by the Secretariat of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), along with OHRLLS and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), on 11-12 November at UN Headquarters. The EGM brought together selected CDP Members, experts from various parts of the UN system, UN Member States including LDCs representatives, and think tanks to discuss challenges related to financing for graduating LDCs. The meeting included presentations on a draft report by CDP Member Debapriya Bhattacharya, and panel discussions on official development assistance, the role of multilateral development bank and access to climate financing. The meeting also featured three case studies of graduating LDCs: Bandgadesh, Bhutan and Solomon Islands. The discussions resulted in some concrete proposals for the way forward on this challenging issue for LDCs.

Opening statement

• Statement by Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs