Countries with Special Needs includes least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDSs) in Asia-Pacific region. The Section works on the progress toward graduation of the least developed countries through mobilization of regional efforts to address poverty reduction and other concerns of countries with special needs.
The Section also works for the improved capacity of member States to develop programmes, utilize good pracices and formulate strategies for achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with speical focus on regional poverty reduction and gender equality issues.
Its areas of special focus are:
Providing advise to the OES on strategic and operational matters related to countries with special needs in the Asian and Pacific region, which cover least developed, landlocked and small island developing economies
Coordinating and implementing operational plans and projects developed by operational Divisions of ESCAP for countries with special needs, including inter-agency coordination with UNECE and other relevant partners, as appropriate, in particular the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA)
Undertaking analytical studies and policy-oriented research as well as implementing activities for the benefit of countries with special needs
Providing substantive servicing to the Commission and related subsidiary bodies on items relating to countries with special needs.
Acting as the main implementing office, in collaboration with ADB, UNECE and UNDP, for MDG Programme on:
