Diplomatic Desk:
Bangladesh Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury recently met with UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja. During the meeting, he said that Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with the United Nations Development Programme’s initiatives in global development activities.
In the meeting, the Bangladesh government reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development and announced an annual contribution to the UNDP’s core fund. This contribution will be used as flexible funding, which will help UNDP take rapid action to address global crises and complex challenges.
It was also noted in the meeting that Bangladesh’s goals of inclusive growth, climate resilience and effective good governance are closely aligned with UNDP’s global mission.
At that time, Kanni Wignaraja said, “Our five-decade partnership with Bangladesh is very valuable. Bangladesh’s contribution to the UNDP core fund is a reflection of that long-standing relationship. Bangladesh’s progress towards graduation from the Least Developed Country list and its commitment to multilateral cooperation are playing an important role in advancing global sustainable development.”
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “UNDP has been one of Bangladesh’s leading development partners since independence in 1971. Bangladesh’s contribution to UNDP’s core resources is an expression of the newly elected government’s commitment to sustainable development. At the same time, Bangladesh is proud to share its development experience with the countries of the global south.”
He also said, “We attach great importance to our partnership with UNDP and are keen to strengthen this cooperation further in the future.”
It is worth noting that through this flexible core funding of Bangladesh, UNDP will receive support in implementing their strategic plans in more than 170 countries and regions of the world. At the same time, this fund will also play an important role in ensuring the accountability, oversight, and transparency of UNDP’s activities.
