Financing challenge looms for SDGs
Bangladesh will require an estimated $421 billion in additional financing over the next five years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with greater domestic resource mobilisation, private sector investment and international partnerships identified as critical to bridging the funding gap, according to a new government assessment.
The findings were presented on Sunday at the National Validation Workshop on the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and SDG Financing, organised by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh.
The workshop reviewed the findings of the Development Finance Assessment (DFA)—a global framework designed to align financing policies, institutions and financial flows with national development priorities—and discussed Bangladesh’s updated SDG Financing Strategy.
According to the assessment, Bangladesh will need approximately $421 billion in additional financing during FY2026–FY2030, with the bulk of the resources expected to come from domestic public and private financing, climate finance and international development partnerships.
The UNDP said feedback from the workshop would be incorporated before finalising both the DFA and the updated SDG Financing Strategy.
ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said the remaining years leading up to the 2030 SDG deadline would be particularly challenging.
“The financing gap is large, the time available is limited, and the global environment remains uncertain. Nevertheless, I remain confident that Bangladesh can make meaningful progress,” he said.
“What we now need is a clear set of priorities, coordinated action, better governance and effective implementation,” he added.
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Carol Flore-Smereczniak stressed the importance of strengthening domestic resource mobilisation as Bangladesh advances towards the next stage of its development.
“In today’s world, opportunities for development financing are diminishing. This is an opportunity for Bangladesh to increase its domestic investment in the SDGs, by increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio and by encouraging the private sector to make SDG-aligned investments,” she said.
ERD Additional Secretary and workshop chair A.H.M. Jahangir highlighted the need for a coordinated financing strategy as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP, Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne said the country’s financing gap had widened further, requiring stronger economic governance and innovative financing approaches.
“The financing gap to meet national development targets has further widened. The government can deploy public resources to leverage and derisk private investments.
The challenge is of economic governance. Getting it right requires building a financial ecosystem that is grounded in the application of transparent rules and regulations for all,” she said.
Presenting the assessment, Professor Dr Selim Raihan of the University of Dhaka outlined Bangladesh’s evolving development financing landscape and identified options for mobilising greater public and private investment to support national development priorities.
The workshop, supported by the UNDP Climate Finance Network (CFN) Programme with funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), brought together senior government officials, development partners, financial institutions, academics and civil society representatives to discuss financing priorities and develop a more sustainable roadmap for achieving the SDGs by 2030.
