The graduation of Kiribati from Least Developed Country (LDC) status is currently under review. Kiribati has met the formal criteria for graduation, and if this occurs, the Micronesian nation would lose access to the International Support Measures (ISMs) that LDCs are entitled to, including market access and trade, development assistance and general support. While Samoa...

With 110,136 people spread across 33 atolls and 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean, Kiribati faces significant economic and service delivery challenges. In addition to being one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, and one most affected by climate change, other challenges stem from a highly dispersed population, remoteness to major markets, lack...

In this ASPI Strategic Insight, Stephanie Copus-Campbell describes her personal history with a key neighbour to Australia’s north and examines the complex and difficult challenges that PNG faces.

Based largely on the experiences of African countries, the least developed country (LDC) category was created as a recognition that certain countries face particularly serious obstacles to achieving the structural transformation needed to advance economically and socially. Most non-LDC developing countries (the great majority) still receive aid, but graduation should mark the point at which...

This report argues that risk informed decision-making needs to be integrated into all levels of planning and delivery, from the development of NGO programming to government plans and the policies of international donor agencies, in order reduce multiple risks and avoid risk creation in development.