A high-profile mission of the United Nations (UN) is scheduled to visit Dhaka next month to present its findings on Bangladesh's graduation readiness assessment, although Bangladesh government has sought a three-year postponement of its graduation from LDC category.
According to a UN official communication, the mission of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) is expected to visit Bangladesh from April 03 to April 07, 2026 to share the results and conclusions of the country's 'Graduation Readiness Assessment'.
The delegation will be led by UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative Rabab Fatima.
During the visit, a half-day high-level multi-stakeholder consultation is scheduled to be held in Dhaka on April 5, where the UN team will discuss the assessment findings and the proposed pathway for Bangladesh's smooth and sustainable transition from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
The UN delegation has also requested bilateral meetings with several top government leaders during the visit, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, it was learnt.
Officials concerned said the proposed meetings are expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the readiness assessment in detail and explore policy options to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition for Bangladesh after its graduation from the LDC group.
The UN mission comes at a time when Bangladesh has requested the United Nations to defer its LDC graduation timeline, citing mounting local and global economic uncertainties, trade vulnerabilities and structural challenges.
Bangladesh is currently scheduled to graduate from the LDC category in 2026, a transition that will gradually phase out several international trade benefits, including preferential market access and special support measures, a senior official of the commerce ministry said.
However, economists and policymakers have raised concerns that the loss of such privileges could affect key export sectors-particularly the apparel industry-unless adequate preparations and international support mechanisms are secured.
Officials familiar with the process said the upcoming UN consultations are expected to focus on assessing Bangladesh's economic and institutional readiness for graduation, identifying policy gaps and transition risks and discussing possible international support measures during the post-graduation period.
The UN office noted that the exchanges in Dhaka would provide a valuable platform to review the readiness assessment and chart the way forward for Bangladesh's graduation process.
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