Staff Correspondent

The United Nations (UN) acknowledged the significant changes in Bangladesh in recent months and reaffirmed its support for the interim government's evolving priorities, particularly in reform commissions focused on issues such as elections, policing, anti-corruption, and human rights.

The reassurance came at a joint steering committee (JSC) meeting between the government of Bangladesh and the UN Country Team to review progress on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework) and discuss priorities for 2025.

The meeting held recently also addressed critical issues related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, said an ERD press release.

In an effort to address the SDG priorities in the context of the broader development agenda, participation was expanded to include several senior government officials.

Co-chaired by Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance, and Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, the meeting was attended by representatives from twenty-eight line ministries, eighteen UN agencies, JSC members, and senior government officials, including the Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs), the Planning Secretary, and the Member of the General Economics Division (GED).

The Cooperation Framework (2022-2026) outlines UN support to Bangladesh in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across five strategic priorities.

These include inclusive and sustainable economic development, equitable human development and well being, sustainable, healthy and resilient environment, transformative, participatory and inclusive governance and gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence.

The UN has supported Bangladesh's economic transformation through various initiatives, including fostering CMSME development, facilitating financing for SDGs, and promoting environmental sustainability.

The UN also mobilized significant aid in response to Cyclone Remal and widespread flooding, notably deploying early warning systems that helped millions prepare.

Collaboration with national commissions continued on critical reforms in areas like policing, elections, and anti-corruption, in tandem with support for the government in strengthening legal protections for women and promoting gender equality.

Looking ahead to 2025, the JSC identified key policy support and capacity-building interventions to accelerate SDG progress, emphasizing integrated policy, financing, and programming at scale, with a focus on Leaving No One Behind.

The meeting also identified several key policies and interventions to support Bangladesh's development in its new political context.

"Our collective efforts will focus on creating a sustainable economic transformation, inclusive basic services, bolstering climate resilience, enhanced governance framework, and driving gender equality across all sectors," said Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.

“We stand ready to support the interim government's reform commissions and assist in accessing innovative financing mechanisms and strengthening data systems to seize this moment for long-term sustainable development”, Lewis added.

The ERD secretary said, "To graduate from LDC new horizon of cooperation can be in the field of science, technology and artificial intelligence".

The next meeting of the JSC is scheduled for May 2025.