Updated as of 16 April 2008

Among the member countries of the Commission, the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states not only face the problem of extreme poverty but also problems resulting from limited human resources, an economy vulnerable to exogenous changes, and remote geographical location. The Commission has recognized the need to direct its resources to the special needs of these groups of countries.

The Commission brings the particular concerns of these groups of countries to the attention of our members through the Special Bodies on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, and on Pacific Islands Developing Countries; monitors economic developments in least developed countries and Pacific island developing countries through the annual Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific, and to ensure follow-up on the effective implementation of the (1) Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, (2) Almaty Programme of Action: Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and (3) Mauritius Strategy for the further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States at the regional-level.

The Secretariat also coordinates it's activities with the priority groups of countries, Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, (OHRLLS); Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, New York, (DESA); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva, (UNCTAD); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); as well as other United Nations agencies and bodies, and global and regional financial institutions.

New	Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries, Tenth Session, Bangkok, 22-23 April 2008
New	ESCAP/ECE/OHRLLS Regional Preparatory Expert Group Meeting of Euro-Asian Landlocked Developing and Transit Countries for the Mid-Term Review of the Almaty Programme of Action, Bangkok, 22-23 April 2008
	Consultative Meeting of Executive Heads of Subregional Organizations and ESCAP: Twelfth Session, and Consultation Meeting of the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations/Executive Secretary of ESCAP with Pacific Island Leaders Noumea, New Caledonia, 12-13 March 2008
	LDC Brief No. 1, October 2007 What are the opportunities of LDC status?
	Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, Eighth Session, 15-16 May 2007, Almaty, Kazakhstan
	International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States , Port Louis, 10-14 January 2005.
	International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation, Almaty, 28 and 29 August 2003.
	Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Brussels, 14-20 May 2001