Least Developed Countries - Newly Defined

Abstract The United Nations Committee for Development Planning (CDP), whose task among others is to ascertain which countries should be labelled as "Least Developed" has established a new list of LLDCs in its 1991 annual report. In this paper the author, member of the CDP, summarizes the report, focussing on the Asian countries. In the first part the author characterizes the background of the report, its role in global policy and the impact the classification as LLDC may have. Next is the presentation of the methodology, especially the new criteria (APQLI and EDI), and the new rules for a country’s presence on the list (inclusion rule and graduation rule). How these criteria are to be applied is mentioned before passing on to the second and main issue, the uplisting of those countries to be considered as least developed. In a successive step the question is answered whether a country, presently on the list, complies with the new definition or should be removed: The paper concludes with the core suggesteions of the CDP report.