Dhaka seeks UN support for LDC transition

Bangla Press Desk: Bangladesh has sought greater support from the United Nations for a smooth LDC graduation, SDG implementation and reform efforts, as Dhaka pushes for a three-year extension to prepare for the transition.

The call came from Adviser to the Prime Minister for the Ministries of Finance and Planning, Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, during separate meetings with senior UN officials at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, according to a press release.

During meetings with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja, Dr Titumir reiterated Bangladesh's request for a three-year extension of the LDC graduation preparatory period. 

He said the extension would help maintain macroeconomic stability, ensure effective implementation of the country's Smooth Transition Strategy and support a sustainable and irreversible graduation from the LDC category.

The adviser said the government's democratic mandate had strengthened its reform agenda, with priorities including institutional reforms, accountable governance and people-centred development.

He also highlighted the government's "3R Strategy" - Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction for Acceleration - as a roadmap for restoring economic stability and advancing long-term development.

According to the press release, Li Junhua reaffirmed the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' support for Bangladesh's development journey, pledged cooperation on the country's LDC transition process and praised the government's Universal Social Security Protection System.