Kathmandu, Oct. 30 -- The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously approved a three-year extension to the preparatory period for Nepal and Bangladesh to graduate from the category of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), giving both countries until November 24, 2029, to prepare for the transition.

The General Assembly decided at its 81st session in New York, following a proposal jointly pursued by the two countries. The assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 81/L.8, extending their preparatory periods.

Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and Bangladesh's foreign minister, said the extension recognised the economic uncertainties, external shocks and persistent vulnerabilities facing the two count...