UNDP’s outgoing Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Stefan Liller, has said democratic progress depends on institutions that allow political competition and peaceful disagreement while operating within shared rules.
Speaking in an interview with UNB, Liller said Bangladesh is at a “very important moment,” where the interests of citizens are best served when political actors are able to compete, disagree and still function within a common democratic framework.
“Political differences are natural in any democracy. The strength of democratic culture lies not in avoiding disagreement, but in creating institutions where disagreement can be expressed peacefully, responsibly and constructively,” he said.
Liller, who is completing a four-year tenure in Bangladesh, said accepting different voices is not a weakness but a key factor in strengthening democratic institutions.
He said countries emerging from periods of intense political contestation require a culture of restraint, inclusion and consensus-building to ensure long-term stability and development.
Referring to Bangladesh’s recent political transition and national election, Liller said the process had generated both renewed hope and high public expectations.
At the request of national counterparts, UNDP supported the Bangladesh Election Commission through technical and institutional assistance during the election, including voter registration support, which he said added about five million new voters in 2025, as well as efforts to address disinformation and build capacity of officials.
“But elections are not the end of a democratic process. Their value is also tested in what follows: whether institutions are strengthened, whether citizens feel heard, and whether public trust is rebuilt through visible and credible change,” he said.
Liller said institutional trust depends on citizens seeing public bodies as independent, fair, responsive and accountable, including the judiciary, parliament, electoral bodies, public administration, local government and security institutions.
He said reforms must be felt in people’s daily lives rather than remain technical exercises, adding that they should translate into improved services, justice and accountability.
On inclusion, Liller said meaningful participation of women was essential for Bangladesh’s development trajectory.
Women represent half of the population, he said, adding that the country cannot reach its full potential unless women’s leadership and economic participation are fully reflected in national life.
“This means supporting women’s leadership from communities to courts, from local government to the private sector, and from Parliament to Cabinet,” he said.
Liller also said the success of ongoing reforms would ultimately be judged by whether citizens see improvements in jobs, safety, social protection, services and dignity.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh’s current leadership would continue efforts to strengthen institutions and public trust.
Since 1972, UNDP has remained a development partner of Bangladesh, adapting its support across successive governments and development priorities.
Liller said Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country status marks recognition of its progress, but also signals a more challenging phase ahead requiring stronger competitiveness, economic diversification, job creation and investment.
He said future development would depend on institutions and markets being prepared for global shifts, including the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence on jobs, skills and governance.
“These changes will create opportunities for productivity and innovation, but they will also reshape labour markets and raise new questions around inclusion and equity,” he said.
Liller said development leadership in the coming years would need to focus not only on economic indicators but also on whether people experience greater security, opportunity, dignity and voice.
Reflecting on his tenure, Liller said one of UNDP’s strengths in Bangladesh had been linking high-level policy work with community-level engagement, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
He cited UNDP’s work during the COVID-19 aftermath and its support to election-related preparations, as well as engagement in social protection and local governance programmes.
He also noted the registration of five million new voters ahead of the 2026 national election and initiatives to counter disinformation and strengthen electoral administration.
Liller said some of his most memorable experiences included meeting women from low-income urban settlements who had moved from community leadership roles into formal positions in city governance structures.
He said a visit by Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria in her role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador had also been a highlight, allowing Bangladesh’s development story to be showcased internationally, including climate adaptation efforts in coastal and vulnerable areas.
As he prepares to take up his next assignment in Beijing, Liller thanked government counterparts, civil society, media, development partners and communities for their support during his tenure.
“I leave Bangladesh with lasting memories, deep affection, a profound sense of fulfilment, and every good wish for Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people,” he said.