Canadian International Development Minister Harjit S Sajjan in Dhaka on Wednesday announced $157.6 million in funding as he concluded his visit to Bangladesh, the Philippines and Qatar.
His trip focused on climate action, food security, green and inclusive growth, economic empowerment, health and advancing gender equality, reads a press release, reads a press release issued on Thursday.
He also attended the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), held in Doha, Qatar, where he highlighted the importance of inclusive partnerships with least-developed countries to reduce poverty and advance sustainable development.
Of the announced international assistance, $98.6 million will support projects in Bangladesh that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, climate resilience, training and employment, and education access for youth, as well as those that improve the delivery of humanitarian and health services for refugees.
At LDC5, he announced the remaining $59 million that will support nutrition and sustainable development projects to help reduce child mortality and fight climate change.
In Bangladesh, Sajjan met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to discuss Canada's commitment to deepening its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, and to the long and successful development partnership between Canada and Bangladesh.
They discussed Canada's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including its impact on food security in the global south, the interlinked Rohingya refugee crisis and the situation in Myanmar.
“This week, I have seen, firsthand the impacts of Canada's international assistance in Bangladesh and the Philippines and how we can support both countries in their efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable future. Our countries have cooperated for decades, and Canada will continue to be there for Bangladesh and the Philippines as they navigate challenges such as food insecurity and climate change,” said Sajjan.
“I welcomed this opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-decade conference, bringing together LDCs, development partners, the private sector, civil society and youth, showing Canada's commitment to sustainable development across all regions,” he added.