Today, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Mr. Li Junhua, in the UN Headquarters in New York. During discussion, Foreign Secretary briefed the Under-Secretary-General on the ongoing reform process in Bangladesh currently being undertaken by the Interim Government, reflecting the aspirations of the “July-August Revolution”. He emphasized the importance of the UN’s technical and policy support in advancing the government’s reform agenda, particularly in enhancing accountability and transparency, building on the five decades of partnership between the UN and Bangladesh.
The Foreign Secretary highlighted the government’s priority of recovering stolen assets and called for the UN’s cooperation in addressing tax evasion and combating illicit financial flows. Regarding Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from LDC status, he stressed the need for continued international support during both the transition and post-graduation phases. Acknowledging the challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to the global economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global conflicts, he urged for stronger support from the UN System, including through development cooperation facilitated by the Resident Coordinator’s Office. He also expressed appreciation that the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) will serve as the implementing body for the recent Bangladesh-led UN General Assembly resolution declaring May 6 as Rural Development Day.
USG Junhua appreciated Bangladesh’s current chairmanship in the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly, and assured all out support from the Secretariat. He told the Foreign Secretary that DESA would be happy to assist Bangladesh in the reform process, especially through their tools for public institution capacity building and digital governance. He stated that the LDC graduation should indeed be considered a new starting point, and the graduated countries should continue to be benefitted from preferential arrangements. Concerning SDG implementation, he underscored the importance of the upcoming Fourth International Conference to be held in 2025 in Spain; during which efforts would be made to reinvigorate the global development assistance, including through innovative financing, ensuring debt sustainability and the reform of the international financial institutions.
Earlier today, Foreign Secretary also met Mr. Selwin Charles Hart, UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition. During the meeting, Foreign Secretary reiterated Bangladesh’s call for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, including ensuring adequate climate finance as promised. Underscoring that Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries, he also stated that internal displacement due to sea level rise and other climate change related disasters remains a great existential risk for many countries. He also stated that Hon’ble Chief Adviser is a global champion of zero carbon emission as part of his ‘three zeros’. Informing that Bangladesh’s ‘National Adaptation Plan’ would require USD 230 billion till 2050, he also underscored that climate financing for adaptation remains underfunded, and there is also a limit of adaptation measures. He sought for the UN’s continued support for Bangladesh in addressing adverse effects of climate change.
Special Adviser Hart appreciated Bangladesh’s long-standing leadership role in global climate discourse. He hoped for the highest-level participation from Bangladesh at the upcoming COP29. He also emphasized on creating country platforms for addressing adaptation and resilience building needs.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin also held a courtesy meeting with Ms. Rabab Fatima, UN High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. The discussions focused on UN’s support to the reform agenda, LDC graduation and UN’s support during the transition and post transition phases, and increased representation of Bangladeshi nationals in the UN at policy level.