Adviser to the Prime Minister for the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has called for stronger United Nations support to ensure Bangladesh's smooth and sustainable graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, accelerate SDG implementation and advance the country's reform agenda.
During separate meetings at UN Headquarters with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja, Dr Titumir emphasized Bangladesh's request for a three-year extension of the LDC graduation preparatory period to ensure macroeconomic stability, effective implementation of the Smooth Transition Strategy and a sustainable, irreversible graduation.
The adviser said the Government's democratic mandate had strengthened its reform agenda, with a focus on institutional reform, accountable governance and people-centred development.
He also highlighted the Government's 3R Strategy-Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction for Acceleration-as the roadmap for restoring economic stability and advancing long-term development.
Li Junhua reaffirmed UN DESA's support for Bangladesh's development journey, pledged cooperation on the LDC transition process and praised the Government's Universal Social Security Protection System.
Alisjahbana reaffirmed UN-ESCAP's support for Bangladesh's LDC transition, regional connectivity and climate resilience, while Ms Wignaraja reiterated UNDP's commitment to supporting democratic governance, institutional reforms and Bangladesh's sustainable development priorities.