Warsama Dirieh Mohamed, Minister of Trade and Tourism of Djibouti, emphasized the potential of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in global trade during a high-level session. "It is undeniable that LDCs have significant potential in all fields to cement their development. All the same, despite the natural wealth in LDCs, we can observe a sad reality which is illustrated by the following data: 14% of the global population, 1.3% of global GDP, and less than 1% of goods exports," he stated.
Mohamed highlighted the need for increased international cooperation to enhance LDC trade. "In this context of crises, our objective must be to together find ways to increase the intensity of action in favour of LDC trade by strengthening international and multilateral cooperation," he said. He called for effective implementation of special and differential treatment under the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement through assistance and capacity building.
China's Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei noted that while LDCs are vulnerable, they possess significant growth potential. "They are also the group with the greatest growth potential," he remarked, citing China's initiatives such as duty-free import treatment for LDCs as part of its Aid for Trade efforts. "China's development story fully shows trade is a main engine of growth and that opening up brings progress," Li added.
Gerd Müller, Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization, stressed investment in critical infrastructure sectors like transportation and digital connectivity as essential steps forward. He pointed out Africa's rapidly growing population: "Its population needs not millions; they need hundreds of millions of new jobs."
Rabab Fatima, UN Under Secretary-General and High Representative for LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, underscored untapped potentials in South-South trade. "By promoting a more inclusive, interconnected and resilient international trade framework, the benefits extend universally," she said.
Pedro Manuel Moreno from UN Trade and Development criticized traditional development approaches for failing to boost LDCs' share in global trade. "We need a new generation of development policies that focus on building up low-value added manufacturing towards higher skilled, higher technological manufacturing and services," he argued.
A policy note issued by the WTO Secretariat titled "LDC Trade Priorities – Looking Forward" examines how trade can help achieve socio-economic goals for LDCs by focusing on services, green transition, and regional integration.