A Critical Reflection on International Support for Least Developed Countries

With ten years of the 2030 Agenda to go, and with the fifth Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries starting in 2021, there is a need to re-evaluate the system of international support for LDCs. Some LDCs are performing well but some key international targets have been missed. Looking critically at the theory and assumptions underlying international support makes it possible to identify new assistance mechanisms, instead of falling back on the mainstream position. There is a need for deep-rooted, systemic improvement to the multilateral architecture relating to LDCs–driven by LDC governments themselves and differentiated according to context. This paper identifies six areas of support: the UN system, finance, trade, commodities, technology, and the environment and climate change. It puts forward specific proposals that could be considered in the run-up to UNLDC-V and beyond.