São Tomé and Príncipe is due to graduate from its current status as one of the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs), a journey that is testament to its economic successes, but is not without challenges, as Eric Overvest, the senior UN official in the country, tells UN News.
Eric Overvest: There are currently 46 LDCs listed by the UN and countries graduate once they have reached certain development targets.
São Tomé and Príncipe is doing well in terms of social indicators, such as GDP per capita, but is lagging in others, such as the Economic Vulnerability Index, and that’s where the UN provides a lot of support because it’s the health of the economy that will allow the country to graduate from its LDC status.
For example, we’ve helping the country to market itself as a place that sells organic, high-end products. So, instead of just exporting cocoa beans, they’re exporting chocolate bars. Organic palm oil, coconut oil, and vanilla pepper are also being sold.
Finding the resources to adapt to the climate crisis is also very important, and we’ve been supporting the government’s efforts to find more funding for the protection of biodiversity, and preserve marine resources. This country is moving towards the use of renewable energies; the UN supported the country’s first solar park, which opened last year, and solar panels are going up on schools and health centres. Read more