New assistance measures for graduating Belt and Road Least DevelopedCountries toward the achievement of Agenda 2030

Around 12 least developed countries (LDC) are scheduled to leave the category in coming years, more than doubling the number which have left the category in the 47 years since it was formed. Many of these potential graduates are concerned about losing access to the international support measures (ISMs) provided by the international community. After graduation, in some cases after a transition period, countries stand to face reduced support or forego access to support measures in trade,…

Recipients: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Nepal
Partners: UN OHRLLS, UNCTAD
Donors: China
Status: Closed
Strengthening the capacity of least developed countries to develop evidence-based, coherent and well financed strategies to implement the 2030 Agenda

This project provided technical assistance to four least developed countries (LDCs), Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Lao PDR and Tanzania, on different aspects of their efforts to integrate the 2030 Agenda into national development plans and strategies. The work focused on areas that many countries have identified as a priority for technical assistance in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs): policy coherence and inclusiveness (including aspects such as modeling, institutional arrangements and…

Recipients: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Lao PDR, Bangladesh
Partners: ECA, ESCAP, UNDP
Donors: China
Status: Closed
Helping Least Developed Countries achieve structural economic progress toward graduation

The project aims to help five Least Developed Countries (LDCs) (four in Asia, one in the Pacific) increase their chances of achieving structural economic and social progress toward and beyond graduation from LDC status. This, for the two implementing organizations, involves: (i) provision of country-specific analytical material on the implications of LDC graduation; vulnerability and resilience-building; and smooth transition strategies; (ii) relevant advisory services to policy makers; and…

Recipients: Lao PDR, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan
Partners: UNCTAD (joint partner), UNDP, ECA, ESCAP, ITC, WTO
Status: Closed
Enhancing national capacities for unleashing full potentials of micro-, small- and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving sustainable development goals in developing countries

The project aims to enhance and strengthen knowledge, policy development and national capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to improve their policies and programmes supporting the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) in order to promote productive activities, job creation, income generation and entrepreneurship especially among socially disadvantaged groups including women, youth, and to effectively contribute to the achievement of…

Recipients: Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Brazil, Peru, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Fiji
Partners: UNDP, UNIDO, UNCTAD, WB, UNGC, ICC, ADB, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Ford Foundation, UNF, Gates Foundation
Donors: China
Status: Closed
Enhancing the resilience, accessibility, and sustainability of infrastructure assets in developing countries along the Belt and Road initiative in support of the 2030 Agenda

The proposed project will enhance the resilience, accessibility, and sustainability of infrastructure assets in developing countries along the Belt and Road Initiative and in support of the 2030 Agenda. The main challenge it seeks to address is the lack of sustained and systematic strategies, policies and actions at the national and local government levels to ensure that infrastructure assets support inclusive, affordable and sustainable essential public services over their entire lifespan.…

Recipients: Kenya, Gambia, Costa Rica, Peru, Lao PDR, Nepal
Partners: UNDP; UN HABITAT; ECA; ECLAC; ESCAP; UNEP, UNOPS
Donors: China
Status: Active
Smooth transition beyond graduation for least developed countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific in a post-COVID-19 environment

The project aims to help six least developed countries (LDCs), two in Africa, two in Asia and two in the Pacific, that are either: i) assessed as eligible for graduation the first time and those close to meeting the graduation threshold; or ii) graduating and graduated from LDC status - to adjust their preparation for graduation in the wake of Covid-19 and to build greater resilience for a smooth transition in a post-Covid environment. The project offers dedicated capacity development…

Recipients: Zambia, Senegal, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
Partners: ESCAP, ECA, UNCTAD, ITC, WTO, OECD Development Centre, OHRLLS, UNCDF, EIF
Status: Active
Strengthening national capacities for enhancing MSME resilience and building forward better to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in developing countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative

Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  MSMEs help reduce levels of poverty through job creation and economic growth, they are key drivers of employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship for women, youth and groups in vulnerable situations, and also make up the majority of the world’s food producers and ensure sustainable food production systems, they play a critical…

Recipients: Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Sri Lanka
Partners: ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, ECA, ESCAP, UNIDO, UNOSSC
Donors: China
Status: Active