Bangladesh has sought Spain’s backing on its graduation from the least developed country category and post-LDC transition efforts ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

The request was made on Monday as Spanish Ambassador Gabriel María Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam in Dhaka, according to a foreign ministry press release.

Bangladesh’s outreach comes as the UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended that Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC category be postponed until November 24, 2029, while cautioning Dhaka against using the extension as a pretext to ease up on economic reforms. Bangladesh formally sought the extension on February 18.

During the Monday meeting with the Spanish envoy, Islam stressed the need for stronger bilateral and multilateral cooperation. She also pressed for sustained international attention and support to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis, the release noted.

The Spanish envoy congratulated Bangladesh on its election to the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the bilateral partnership and explored avenues for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, supply chains, railway connectivity, education, skills development, migration, sports, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

They also discussed the possibility of holding bilateral consultations and arranging high-level visits to further deepen relations.

Both sides also underscored the importance of a free trade agreement between Bangladesh and the European Union to boost trade and economic ties.

CDP RECOMMENDS DELAYING GRADUATION

The assessment came in a report that acknowledged Bangladesh has exceeded all three LDC graduation thresholds by a significant margin and faces a very low risk of slipping back in the near to medium term.

Even so, the committee pointed to the Middle East crisis, uncertainties in global energy and supply chains, shifts in the international trading environment and broader global challenges as factors that could undermine the country’s graduation preparedness and its transition.

Earlier, Bangladesh requested the extension, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman writing to the UN Secretary-General to seek his personal support on the matter.

Bangladesh is originally scheduled to graduate from the LDC category on November 24, 2026.