UN committee hears warning over aid to least developed countries

The UN General Assembly’s Second Committee took up reports on least developed countries on 7 October. Roland Mollerus, presenting seven reports by the UN secretary-general, said those countries had made gains in education, health and electricity access, but that successive crises continued to undermine development. He said extreme poverty still affected 42 per cent of their populations, while 57.8 per cent experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024. [1]

Mollerus said official development assistance to least developed countries fell by 25.8 per cent in 2025. He reported that 16 countries were at high risk of debt distress and five were already in distress. At the same time, 14 countries were at different stages of graduating from least-developed-country status. [1]

The Gambia’s delegate, speaking for the Group of Least Developed Countries, called for action on debt and more concessional financing. Uruguay’s delegate, speaking for the Group of 77 and China, urged development partners to meet aid commitments amounting to 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of gross national income. Mollerus also said the UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries continued to operate with limited funding and a small workforce, ten years after its establishment. [1]