Even as the international community pledged to 'leave no one behind' with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that without stronger global support, 48 of the world's most vulnerable countries will lose ground in economic development, the Daily Times reports.

UNCTAD's The Least Developed Countries Report 2016: The Path to Graduation and Beyond 'Making the Most of the Process, underscores the need for more action from the international community to help these countries progress.

"These are the countries where the global battle for poverty eradication will be won or lost," stated UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi, stressing that a year ago, the global community pledged to 'leave no one behind' the rallying call at the heart of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but that is exactly what is happening to the least developed countries". The proportion of the global poor in those countries has more than doubled since 1990, to well over 40 percent.

They also currently account for the 1.1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to electricity an increase of two-thirds.

Many of these countries are stuck in poverty, where the only way out is with finance, trade and technology support. Countries can also graduate from the category if they meet a certain economic and social criteria. However, for many this goal remains out of reach.