Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, prime minister's adviser on the ministries of Finance and Planning, has sought stronger United Nations support to ensure Bangladesh's smooth and sustainable graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category while accelerating implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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 underscored 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 Smooth Transition Strategy and facilitate sustainable and irreversible graduation from the LDC category.
UN Support and Pledges
Li Junhua reaffirmed UN DESA's support for Bangladesh's development journey, pledged cooperation in the LDC transition process and praised the government's Universal Social Security Protection System. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana reiterated UN-ESCAP's support for Bangladesh's LDC transition, regional connectivity and climate resilience. Kanni Wignaraja reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting democratic governance, institutional reforms and Bangladesh's sustainable development priorities.
Government's Reform Agenda
Dr. Titumir emphasized that the government's democratic mandate has strengthened its reform agenda, focusing 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.
