The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at it seventh session in Marrakech in 2001, and it is managed by the GEF. The Fund addresses the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which are especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes preparing and implementing National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs), which aim is to identify “urgent and immediate needs” of each LDC according to specific guidelines provided by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG). The operational guidelines of the LDCF were developed consistent with specific guidance provided by the COP at its eleventh session in Montreal.The GEF has, as of June 2010, mobilized voluntary contributions of $224 million for the LDCF, of which $169 million have been received. 

UNFCCC Decisions and Guidance Related to the Least Developed Countries Fund
• 27/CP.7: Initial guidance on the operation of the LDCF by the GEF, as the entity that operates the financial mechanism
• 5/CP.14: Further guidance for the operation of the LDCF
• 3/CP.11: Further guidance for the operation of the LDCF
• 6/CP.9: Further guidance for the operation of the LDCF
• 8/CP.8: Guidance to an entity entrusted with the operation of the financial mechanism of the Convention, for the operation of the LDCF 
• 28/CP.7: Guidelines for the preparation of NAPAs (see paragraph 4)
• 27/CP.7: Guidance to an entity entrusted with the operation of the financial mechanism of the Convention, for the operation of the LDCF
• 7/CP.7: Funding under the Convention (see paragraph 6)
• 5/CP.7: Implementation of Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9, of the Convention (decision 3/CP.3 and Article 2, paragraph 3, and Article 3, paragraph 14, of the Kyoto Protocol) (see paragraph 12)
• Stocktaking Meeting Report FCCC/SBI/2007/32
• Submissions by Parties and relevant organizations on the LDCF SBI 29, December 2008: FCCC/SBI/2008/MISC.8
 

Council Documents on Least Developed Countries Fund
• GEF Operational Guidelines for Expedited Funding for the Preparation of National Adaptation Programs of Action by Least Developed Countries
April, 2002
• GEF Programming Paper for Funding the Implementation of NAPAs under the LDC Trust Fund
GEF/C.28/18, May 12, 2006
• GEF Comparative Advantages of the GEF Agencies
GEF/C.31/5 rev.1, June 18, 2007
• Results-Based Management Framework for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)
GEF/LDCF.SCCF.6/Inf.3, May 27, 2009
• Implementation of Results Based Management under the Least Development Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund
GEF/LDCF.SCCF.7/4, November 27, 2009
• Status Report on the Climate Change Funds (Prepared by the Trustee)
GEF/LDCF.SCCF.8/Inf.2/Rev.1, July 1, 2010 
• Progress Report on the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)
GEF/LDCF.SCCF.8/Inf.3, July 1, 2010 
• Latest GEF Annual Reports to the COP
 
LDCF Contacts at the Global Environment Facility
Dr. Bonizella Biagini -- phone: (+1) (202) 458 7506; email: bbiagini@thegef.org
Dr. Bob Dixon -- phone: (+1) (202) 458 7506; email: rdixon1@thegef.org