State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki has urged the international community to enhance grants, concessional financing, technology transfer and global partnerships, emphasizing that stronger cooperation is essential to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Delivering Bangladesh's national statement at the General Debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda through reforms, investment and inclusive development initiatives.
Key Development Initiatives
Saki highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by Bangladesh to achieve the SDGs, including significant increases in public investment in education and healthcare, an ambitious programme to dredge 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals to improve water management, climate resilience and agricultural productivity, and initiatives to plant 250 million saplings, expand renewable energy and green industries, establish a national carbon market, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and introduce a universal life-cycle-based social protection programme.
Rural Development and Farmers' Support
Referring to rural development, Saki mentioned the introduction of the Farmers Card to improve farmers' access to services, enhance food security and increase agricultural productivity while strengthening rural livelihoods. He reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development and stressed the importance of comprehensive reforms and strategic investments to achieve the SDGs.
Call for International Cooperation
The state minister stressed that stronger international cooperation remains indispensable for implementing the 2030 Agenda. He called on development partners to deepen collaboration and support sustainable development efforts across the developing world.
