Briefing the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Conference, Anna Kajumulo, said country-level preparatory processes had been launched in 46 least developed countries with country visits by members of the United Nations Conference Trade and Development (UNCTAD) secretariat.

UN: [21 Jul 2000] DEV/2253 : LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR THIRD UN CONFERENCE ON LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, PREPARATORY COMMITTEE TO MEET AT HEADQUARTERS, 24 - 28 JULY

Of the eight member countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives come under the Least Developed Countries bloc while India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in the Developing Country group.

BBC: South Asian bloc active at climate meeting