Cambodia Elected Vice-Chair of LDC Group as Graduation Nears

Cambodia has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, a role it will assume as the nation prepares to graduate from LDC status in 2029, with the aim of achieving upper-middle-income country status by 2030. The endorsement for this position was made during a meeting of the LDC group held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 2, 2026. Cambodia's term as Vice-Chair will commence in September 2026 and conclude in September 2029. During the meeting, Mr. Keo Chua, Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in Cambodia. He also commended the efforts of Nepal, the preceding Chair, in advancing the interests and priorities of the LDC group during its tenure. Mr. Keo Chua highlighted Cambodia's readiness to work closely with The Gambia, the incoming Chair, and other members of the LDC group's Bureau to actively and effectively contribute to strengthening the collective voice and continuing to promote the group's common priorities and interests. He also noted preparations for the mid-term review of the Doha Programme of Action, scheduled to take place in Doha in March 2027. It is noteworthy that Cambodia has committed to its readiness to step out of the LDC category and transition to an upper-middle-income country by 2030, and subsequently a high-income country by 2050. This follows the unanimous adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in late 2024, which decided that Cambodia would officially begin its delisting from the LDC category over a five-year period.