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WT/COMTD/LDC/M/95  
 
16 March  2023 
(23-1948) Page: 1/4 
Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries  
Ninety -fifth Session    
 
NOTE  ON THE MEETING OF 20 FEBRUARY 2023  
Chairperson: Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi  (Finland ) 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
B. UPDATE ON LDC TRADE TRENDS  ................................ ................................ .............  1 
C. FIFTH UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
(LDC5): UPDATE BY THE UN OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LEAST 
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND SMALL ISLAND 
DEVELOPING STATES (UN -OHRLLS)  ................................ ................................ .................  2 
D. OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1. The Chairperson  welcomed Members to the 9 5th Session of the Sub -Committee on Least 
Developed Countries (hereinafter the Sub -Committee), which took place in a  hybrid format.  She said 
that the agenda of the meeting was contained in document WTO/AIR/COMTD/LDC/ 22/Rev.1  
2. Under the agenda item D on other business, t he representative of Norway  proposed having a 
discussion on LDC graduation under the aegis of the Sub-Committee on LDCs.  
3. The agenda was adopted . 
B. UPDATE ON LDC TRADE TRENDS  
4. The Chairperson  said that the WTO Secretariat had  been preparing an annual note on "Market 
Access for Products and Services of Export Interest to Least Developed Countries" with insi ghts on 
LDC trade performance. She noted that t his note provide d a useful basis to review LDCs' participation 
in global trade. The 2022 note by the Secretariat was contained in the document 
WT/COMTD/LDC/W/70.  She said that the main takeaways on LDC trade trends over the past years 
would be presented through an animated video.  
5. The animated  video highlighted that LDCs' share in global exports remained static at 0.93%  
in 2021 . LDC s' exports remained concentrated  among key exporters, sectors and markets. In 2021, 
three -quarters of all LDC merchandise exports were generated by top ten LDC exporters, with 
Bangladesh being the top LDC exporter (18.8%), followed by Angola (14.3%) and Democratic 
Republic of the Congo ( 10%). Primary commodities represented a large share of LDCs' merchandise 
exports, dominated by crude petroleum (15%), gold (6%) and refined copper (5%). Clothing 
represented another significant item of LDC exports. In 2021, 90% LDCs' merchandise exports we nt 
to ten main destinations, including China (26%), European Union (20%), the United Arab Emirates 
(12%) and the United States (10%) .  
6. The video  also highlighted that LDC services exports dropped from 0.53% in 2020 to 0.49% 
in 2021. Ethiopia was the top LD C services exporter accounting for nearly one fifth of the total WT/COMTD/LDC/M/95  
 
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  LDC services exports (18%), followed by Bangladesh (16.6%) and Tanzania (11%). In terms of 
sectors, in 2021, transport was the top LDC services sector due to high freight prices worldwide.  
7. It was also highlighted that while WTO Members provided generous trade preferences to LDCs, 
more efforts were required to boost LDCs' capacity to trade. It was noted that trade was one of the 
key pillars of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs for the deca de 2022 -2031 (DPoA), and the 
upcoming Fifth U nited Nations  Conference for LDCs (LDC5)  offered a platform for discussion on how 
to better support LDC integration into global trade.  
8. The Chairperson  called for more  concerted efforts to help LDCs boost their productive sectors 
and become more active players in global trade.  She said that the video would be available on the 
WTO website. She suggested that the discussion on this topic would be taken up following the update 
by UN -OHRLLS on the preparations for LD C5 where trade discussions would feature prominently.  
9. It was so agreed .  
C. FIFTH U NITED NATIONS  CONFERENCE ON THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
(LDC5): UPDATE BY THE UN OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LEAST 
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, LANDLOCKED DEVELOPIN G COUNTRIES AND SMALL ISLAND 
DEVELOPING STATES (UN -OHRLLS)  
10. The representative  of UN-OHRLLS  provided an update on the preparations of the  LDC5 to be 
held from 5 to 9 March 2023 in Doha, Qatar. She noted that t he LDC5 was expected to adopt the 
Doha Political Declaration and take stock of DPoA's implementation. On the eve of LDC5, the 
UN Secretary -General would  meet UN Principals . She also  noted that t he LDC5 would  include plenary 
meetings for general debate , eight high lev el round tables, 100 side events  as well as  private sector, 
civil society and youth fora. She stressed the importance of promoting inter -generational dialogue. 
She noted that a  sustainable  graduation support facility (iGRAD) would be  among  LDC5  deliverable s.  
11. The Chairperson  opened the floor for interventions.   
12. The representative of Djibouti  noted that trade trends in LDCs were still marked by the impact 
of COVID -19 pandemic which ha d weakened their production and export capacities.  She noted that 
LDC exports were composed of primary products with low value added. She further noted that 
in 2020, LDC merchandise  exports fell by 7.8% while services export fell sharply by 35%.  The overall  
share of LDCs global export s in 2020 and 2021 was 0.93%. She reiterated  the initiatives such as 
Aid for Trade and Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF) which had been supporting  LDCs in 
achiev ing structural transformation to produce high value goods and ser vices. She also noted that  
the implementation of flexibilities provided in WTO Agreements , including Article 66.2 of the 
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (T RIPS) Agreement and Article 10 of the 
Sanitary  and Phytosanitary Measures (S PS) Agreement , would improve  the trade performance 
of LDCs.  
13. She also noted that LDCs would like to benefit from support to infrastructure development 
and increased technical assistance  to participate in e -commerce. This would enable small and 
medium enterpri ses expand delivery of goods and services beyond their borders and contribute to 
recovery and strengthen resilience. She further  noted that LDCs recognize d the impacts of climate 
change . At the same time,  the measures taken to mitigate the effects of clima te change should not 
be used as a form of disguised restriction against LDC exports. She indicated that LDCs expect ed to 
receive the necessary support to mitigate the effects of climate change.  
14. She welcomed the update by  UN-OHRLLS on LDC5 . She noted that LDCs need ed international 
support measures  which could help  to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development, 
smooth graduation from the LDC Category as well as the challenges posed by climate change. She 
underlin ed the importance of strong  partnerships with a view to implementing  the six  DPoA's priority  
areas.  
15. The representative of Cambodia  thanked the UN -OHRLLS for the update on LDC5. He noted 
that the upcoming LDC5 provide d an important platform to discuss and a ddress the challenges LDCs  
had been facing . He thanked the WTO for organizing LDC5  regional consultation for LDCs in 
Asia-Pacific region, which was held in January 2023 in Siem Reap, Cambodi a. He noted that the WT/COMTD/LDC/M/95  
 
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  consultations covered the following areas: (i) trade elements of DPoA  and evolving trading 
landscape; (ii) economic integration in Asia and the Pacific; (iii) digital trade;  (iv) LDC graduation ; 
and (v) strengthening capacity to trade.   
16. He further noted that there was continued interest by LDCs and development p artners to 
advance the discussion on critical issues on LDCs in pursuing their development goals. He noted that 
LDCs continue d to be disproportionately affected by the COVID -19 pandemic . He also stressed that 
increase in food, energy and cost of living prices due to the Russia -Ukraine conflict had been affecting  
LDC economies . In acknowledging that LDCs' share in  total exports  account ed for less than 1% , 
he noted that LDC5  offered an opportunity to discuss  the challenges LDCs faced to achieve their 
development objective s.  
17. The representative of the European Union  reiterated its commitment to  supporting 
LDC integration into the world economy. Referring to a  recent study by the European Commission , 
she noted that  some LDCs ha d been successfully integrated  into the global economy , while a large 
number of LDCs were yet to do so . She noted that this study  would be  published in due course. She 
also recognized that t he European Union was at the forefront of promoting LDC s' exports into the 
European Union  under its Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative  which had been grant ing duty-free 
quota -free market access to all goods except arms and ammunition since 2001. She also noted that 
while t he European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences ( GSP) was being revised , 
the continuation of the EBA to LDCs  would be guaranteed.   
18. The representative of the United Kingdom  noted that it remain ed committed to the 
2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. He noted that t he LDC5 provide d an opportunity  for LDCs 
to discuss the six DPoA's  priority areas.  He said that the United Kingdom's  Minister of State at the 
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office responsible for development would be attending the 
LDC5 , and w ould be speaking at the event "LDC trade development : towards  new frontiers " jointly 
organized by the WTO, UN -OHRLLS and EIF on 5 March 2023.   
19. The representative of  Chad recognized the importance of implementing the six DPoA's priority 
areas. He went on to ask for clarifications on what was meant by inter -generational dialogue and 
how micro, small and medium -sized enterprises ( MSMEs ) could be included to participate in the 
LDC5. He also acknowledged  the role of the private secto r as key to development. He also inquired 
about a possibility of forecasting LDCs' trade trends and how the LDCs could be better prepared to 
gain from trade. He further pointed out climate change effects on food security  and emphasized that 
adequate support is needed to deal with the current polycrisis.   
20. The representative of  China noted that  the LDC5 Conference would help accelerate 
LDCs' achieving  sustainable  development. She noted that China participated in the LDC5 re gional 
consultation  in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia held in January 2023. She noted that the event  provided an 
avenue to learn about the multi ple crises that LDCs had been  facing. She said that China had been 
granting  duty-free access to 98% of its tariff line s and help ing LDCs through Aid -for-Trade  initiatives . 
She hoped  that the LDC5 w ould secure substantive outcomes  for LDCs . 
21. The representative of the United States  acknowledged the 2022 note  titled "Market Access for 
Products and Services of Export Interest to Least Developed Countries" prepared  by the 
WTO Secretariat . She noted that the United States  had been  support ing LDCs through various 
preference programs , including the Generalized System of Pre ferences , African Growth and 
Opportunity Act  (AGOA) , the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act , Nepal Preference Program  
and Haiti Preference Program. She noted that i n the first half of 2022, the United States  imported 
USD 16 billion worth of goods from L DCs, three -quarters of which were labour -intensive , including 
clothing, furniture, shoes  and toys. She further  noted that  one-fifth of the total imports came under  
preference programs. She said that the duty -free coverage under AGOA exceed ed 97% of its tariff 
lines. She reiterated the commitment of  the United States to the SDGs and its support  to LDCs.  
22. The representative of  United Nations Industrial Development Organization  (UNIDO ) noted that 
UNIDO had been working with LDCs in addressing industry -related challenges identified in the DPoA 
and would be actively engaged in the LDC5. He further noted that UNIDO would remain focused on 
helping LDCs with structural transformation. He noted that many LDCs st ill grappled with the 
challenge of low levels of productivity and lack of diversification. He noted that 85% of LDCs were WT/COMTD/LDC/M/95  
 
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  commodity dependent and that increase in value addition was required. He stressed the importance 
of connecting LDCs to the regional an d global value chains.  
23. He said that UNIDO had been supporting LDCs through technical cooperation and policy 
advisory services. He further pointed out that UNIDO had developed an operational strategy covering 
the six DPoA priority areas which would be adop ted later in the year. He noted that 
UNIDO's  participation in LDC5 was based on its operational strategy, aimed at fostering policy 
dialogues and forging partnerships for inclusive and sustainable industrialization. He also pointed to 
several events which UNIDO would be organizing at LDC5 in partnerships with EIF, ITC, FAO, OACPS, 
UNCTAD and UN -OHRLLS.  
24. The representative of UN -OHRLLS  responded to the question posed by Chad on 
inter-generational dialogue and MSMEs. She indicated that this was a youth dialogue between youth 
leaders and decision makers towards implementation of the D PoA which would help  the youth to 
take ownership. On the importance of MSMEs, she responded that UN -OHRLL S had been  working 
together with the Chambers of Commerce to get representatives of MSMEs to be part of the LDC5.  
25. The Secretariat  responded to Chad's question  with regard to data on LDC trade trends and 
projections . He noted that according to the latest market access paper statistics was up  to 2021 and 
that COVID -19 pandemic affected all economies whether big or small. He also noted that the overall  
share of LD C trade remained static at 0.93%. He noted that trade support to LDCs w ould continue . 
He also noted that LDC5 regional consultations identified  that LDCs had an untapped potential in 
digital trade , and that deeper regional  integration offered  an opportunit y for LDCs to diversify  their 
economies and to strengthen  resilience to external shocks . He also noted that the Secretariat would 
continue monitoring LDC trade trends once the new data would become available.  
26. The Chairperson  suggest ed that the Sub -Committee take note of the presentation and the 
statements made . 
27. It was so  agreed . 
D. OTHER BUSINESS  
28. The representative of Norway  noted that her delegation was encouraged by the discussions 
during an infor mal meeting on WTO reform focused on development. She understood that the 
LDC graduation  proposal  (WT/GC/W/807/Rev.2) would be on the agenda of the next General Council 
meeting . In the meantime, she  suggested having discussions on how to best move forward.  
She acknowledged that LDCs had been receptive to the views  that Members had had regarding the 
design of their own unilateral GSP programs. She noted that the proposed wording in the latest 
proposal had sought to reflect those views.  
29. She proceeded highligh ting Norway's GSP which covered  a wide range of developing countries 
with higher  incomes than the LDC Category. She acknowledged LDCs' efforts in presenting the 
special and differential treatment  provisions in Annex II  of their proposal . She noted that while the 
venue for negotiating the proposal had not been determined, Norway was of the view that Members 
could start discussing and analysing the LDC proposal. She noted  that such discussions could be 
conducted under the aegis of the Sub -Committee on LDCs.  
30. The Chair person  indicated that Norway's proposal ha d been noted and would  be taken into 
consideration  in setting  the agenda for the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.  
31. The Chair person  announced that the next meeting of the Sub-Committee was tentatively 
scheduled  for 22  May 2023 , and that the agenda would be communicated in due course. 
Before  closing, she noted that immediately after the formal meeting an informal experience -sharing 
session on LDC participation in global supply chains  would take place. The programme of this 
informal session was circulated to Members on 9 February  2023. 
32. The meeting  was adjourned . 
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