Least Developed Countries

The LDCs comprise of over 880 million people but account for less than 2% of world GDP and 1% of global trade in goods. They represent the poorest, weakest segment of the international community. Their low level of socio-economic development is characterized by weak human and institutional capacities, low unequally distributed income and scarcity of domestic financial resources. They often suffer from governance crisis and political instability. Their largely agrarian economies are affected by a vicious cycle of low productivity and low investment. These constraints are responsible for insufficient domestic resource mobilization, low economic management capacity, weaknesses in program design and implementation, chronic external deficits, high debt burdens and heavy dependence on external financing that have kept LDCs in a poverty trap. Armed conflicts constitute a significant cause of deteriorating food security. Reciprocally, food security can help prevent conflict and is essential for sustained and peaceful recovery. Humanitarian assistance is now needed to support the needs of the most vulnerable. Their significant goal is to consolidate peace and rehabilitate the economy.