Contains an updated comprehensive explanation of the criteria, procedures and methodology used in establishing which countries are eligible for inclusion in, or recommended for graduation from, the least developed country (LDC) category. It also provides an overview of the special support measures that can be derived from having least developed country status.

The Role of Trade in Ending Poverty looks at the complex relationships between economic growth, poverty reduction and trade, and examines the challenges that poor people face in benefiting from trade opportunities. Written jointly by the World Bank Group and the WTO, the publication examines how trade could make a greater contribution to ending poverty by increasing efforts to lower trade costs, improve the enabling environment, implement trade policy in conjunction with other areas of policy, better manage risks faced by the poor, and improve data used for policy-making.

In light of the current economic difficulties facing traditional development partners and the non-sustainable and non-inclusive nature of performance of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) over the last decade, LDC governments need new development paths to tap into dynamic growth poles in the South. This publication explores the role of South-South cooperation and regional developmentalism, and finds that, in order to benefit from evolving South-South relations, LDCs need to transform into Catalytic Development States that are highly sensitive to LDC vulnerabilities and offer new policy agendas.

The Least Developed Countries Report 2013 analyses the employment challenge of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Demographic projections indicate that around 225 million people in LDCs will be entering the labour force until 2030. Hence, creating sufficient and decent employment opportunities for all will be a real challenge. However, recent experience shows that the link between growth and employment in LDCs is not automatic. The LDC Report 2013 aims to raise awareness and galvanize the attention of policymakers to the magnitude of the problem. It also reviews and analyses recent labour market performance of the LDCs, compares it with the future needs in relation to job creation, and elaborates concrete policy recommendations for growth with employment.

This series contains the decisions of the Court in both the English and French texts.

The shape of the world economy has changed significantly over the last two decades, with a rising importance of several developing countries and regions as additional drivers of global economic growth. The main objective of Trade and Development Report 2013 is to assess the systemic changes in the underlying structure of the world economy and to analyse the resulting policy challenges. Particular attention will be paid to a plausible scenario in which developing and transition countries must design their development strategies in a context of a prolonged period of sluggish growth in developed countries. The Report's main message will be that in order to achieve high, sustained and inclusive growth, developing and transition economies will need to move towards a new form of development, away from seeking net-export advantages on the back of global imbalances. Rather, the new context calls for strengthening domestic income and demand and reinvigorating regional and South-South coordination and economic linkages.