Four key challenges facing least developed countries - UNCTAD Video

About 1.1 billion people live in least developed countries (LDCs), which face daunting development challenges. The LDC group grew from an initial 25 countries in 1971 to a peak of 52 in 1991 and stands at 46 today. Only six countries have managed to graduate from the category. “The vulnerabilities of LDCs have evolved since the UN created the category five decades ago, but they continue to face major obstacles that block their sustainable development,” said Paul Akiwumi, UNCTAD’s director for Africa and least developed countries. These include soaring debt, export marginalization, energy poverty and climate vulnerability.