Bangladesh pushes for global help in LDC transition

Bangladesh has called for urgent global measures to bridge the widening Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) financing gap and establish a fair, inclusive international financial system, while also seeking a smooth and sustainable graduation from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

The appeal was made by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, during the general debate of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Financing for Development Forum 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, according to a press release.

He noted that ongoing geopolitical conflicts, declining official development assistance, climate shocks, trade restrictions, and energy uncertainties are increasingly limiting policy space for developing countries.

In this context, Bangladesh has requested an extension of its LDC graduation preparatory period to ensure a more stable and sustainable transition.

The envoy also highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in political and economic recovery, saying the government is working to maintain macroeconomic stability, rebuild business confidence, strengthen the banking sector, encourage investment, and expand support for vulnerable groups.

He stressed the importance of reducing debt servicing burdens and avoiding unproductive infrastructure debt, while urging that foreign direct investment be directed toward productive, job-creating sectors along with greater technology transfer.

Chowdhury further called for reforms to make the global financial system more representative, ensure climate justice, strengthen action on loss and damage, and recover stolen assets for their rightful countries.