The Department of Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan in association with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) is co-organizing two days regional workshop on ‘SDGs and Sustainable Graduation of South Asian LDCs,’ from 1-2 October 2019 in Thimphu.
The three South Asian LDCs, namely, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal are in various stages of graduating from LDC status. Graduation from LDC status would come as economic cost concerning International Support Measures (ISM) for LDC as they will not be eligible for the support and would have significant impact based on the degree of benefit accrued from exiting support measures.
In view of the above backdrop, the workshop is aimed to assist these countries, particularly Bhutan, in preparing roadmap for LDC graduation, also identifying, by using an integrated approach, possible ways forward for meeting the goals relating to Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is also intended to discuss specific challenges faced by Bhutan and Nepal as Landlocked Least Developed Counties (LLDCs). Further, the workshop would provide opportunity to exchange views on common challenges relating to LDC graduation, identify priorities and developmental challenges by reviewing progress towards smooth transition to graduation.
The workshop is delivered by international experts and resource speakers from UNESCAP, International Trade Centre (ITC), Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Given the importance of the workshop, there are participants from Bangladesh, Nepal and officials from various agencies in Bhutan.