The Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group comprises 44 countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean. United by our shared vulnerability to climate change, we negotiate as a bloc under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to advocate for ambitious climate action, scaled-up finance, stronger adaptation, and equitable outcomes for the world’s most vulnerable nations.
Our 44 member countries are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. By speaking with one voice in international climate negotiations, we help shape ambitious global action while advocating for the support needed to address climate impacts and strengthen resilience.
Our Chair convenes member countries to coordinate common positions and represent our shared interests throughout the UN climate negotiations. The Chairmanship rotates every two years among Africa, Asia and the Pacific, ensuring inclusive regional leadership and continuity in advancing our priorities.
From the LDC Chair
I am honoured to Chair the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group in UN climate negotiations for 2026-2027, on behalf of Timor-Leste.
The 44 Least Developed Countries are at the forefront of climate impacts despite our minimal contribution to global emissions. We negotiate as a bloc in the UN climate process to advance our shared interests in a fair, ambitious and inclusive global response to climate change, and continue to lead by example in climate action.
As Chair, I am committed to continuing the legacy of past leadership, ensuring that the international response to the climate crisis meets the needs of our people. To secure a just and sustainable future, global greenhouse gas emissions must be urgently reduced to get back on track to limiting warming to 1.5°C, and scaled up support for addressing climate change must be provided. Together, we need to increase efforts to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change, address the unavoidable loss and damage it causes, and enable our economies and people to prosper through low-carbon development pathways.
Those most impacted by climate change must be at the centre of global decision-making, so it is my privilege to represent the LDC Group, working to ensure that the shared priorities of our countries are reflected in every decision. I am also committed to strengthening the meaningful engagement of women and youth in the negotiations.
I look forward to working with partners across governments, civil society and the international community to ensure an effective, just and inclusive response to climate change, that leaves no one behind and delivers for those most affected.
Ambassador Adão Soares Barbosa
Chair of the LDC Group