Dhaka urges greater global backing for SDGs

With an annual SDG financing gap exceeding $132 billion, Bangladesh has sought greater international assistance through grants, concessional loans and technology transfer to advance the 2030 Agenda.

State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki made the appeal while delivering Bangladesh’s country statement at the General Debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 13 July.

The state minister said Bangladesh continues to face significant financing constraints, particularly in clean energy, infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.

He also highlighted the financial burden of hosting around 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, noting that the humanitarian response currently faces a 37 per cent funding shortfall, leaving an immediate financing gap of approximately $261 million.

Despite these challenges, Saki said Bangladesh remains committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by reducing extreme poverty, ensuring near-universal primary education and strengthening climate resilience.

He said the government, elected in February, has adopted a “3R Strategy” — Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction — to restore macroeconomic stability, rebuild institutions and advance sustainable development.

According to the minister, the strategy is being implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman through the government’s Five-Year Strategic Framework, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and preparations for Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

Outlining the government’s development priorities, Saki said public expenditure on education and health would be increased to 5 per cent of GDP.

Over the next five years, the government also plans to dredge 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, plant 250 million saplings, expand renewable energy, promote green industries and sustainable transport, and establish a carbon market to attract climate-friendly investment.

He said Bangladesh is also strengthening domestic resource mobilisation through a universal life-cycle-based social security programme centred on women, alongside a Farmers Card initiative aimed at improving rural livelihoods, enhancing food security and boosting agricultural productivity.

Calling for stronger global partnerships, the state minister urged development partners to scale up grant assistance, concessional financing and technology transfer to help developing countries accelerate SDG implementation.

“We stand ready to reform, invest and deliver for better implementation of the SDGs,” Saki said.