Graduating from LDC Status: A Focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

The withdrawal of international support measures raises sustainability concerns among countries graduating from the category of least developed countries (LDCs). Despite care taken to ensure a smooth transition, these concerns are rife, especially for small island developing states (SIDS). Of the 16 LDCs slated to graduate by 2024, 6 are SIDS. SIDS' calls for additional special and differential treatment tailored to their unique vulnerabilities have yielded few wins. At the World Trade Organization (WTO) level, SIDS are not formally recognised as a distinct category; hence, their claim for special treatment will remain contentious – even amid proposals for reform of WTO rules to better serve the neediest. This paper argues that it matters little whether or not graduating SIDS receive additional support beyond smooth transition – for various reasons, including the fact that several fall-back options for LDCs are available.