Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Kingdom to deepen their development cooperation in the face of mounting global economic volatility, with a focus on digital transformation, climate resilience, and sustainable finance.
Speaking at the 58th Annual Meeting of the ADB in Milan on Monday, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed underscored the institution’s growing importance not only in providing finance, but also in driving structural reform and building long-term resilience.
“The ADB’s role is more crucial than ever in this increasingly uncertain global context,” said Dr Ahmed, according to a press release from the Ministry of Finance. He called for greater support in four priority areas: digital inclusion, climate action, regional integration, and sustainable financing.
He stressed the need for expanded digital infrastructure, e-governance, and financial inclusion initiatives to bridge persistent divides. On climate action, Dr Ahmed called for increased concessional financing for renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and coastal adaptation.
He also highlighted the importance of regional integration, particularly in boosting cross-border trade, energy connectivity, and regional value chains across South and Southeast Asia.
On sustainable financing, he advocated for broader access to concessional resources and innovative financial instruments to support Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status while ensuring debt sustainability.
The adviser reiterated Bangladesh’s vulnerability to external shocks, including inflation, climate risks, and geopolitical tensions, calling for “bold partnerships and collective resolve.”
The Bangladesh delegation to the ADB meeting included Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky and other senior officials.
Dr Ahmed also stated that under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, the country is undergoing a transformative shift towards transparency, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
Later in the day, the Bangladeshi delegation met with officials from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), where discussions centred on expanding development collaboration.
The UK has provided approximately USD 3.19 billion in official development assistance to Bangladesh over the past five decades, mainly through grants aimed at reducing poverty and supporting health, education, and institutional development.
Despite current fiscal constraints, the UK reaffirmed its commitment to Bangladesh’s key development priorities – including climate resilience, humanitarian assistance, and inclusive economic growth.
The FCDO, under its 2022 International Development Strategy, expressed interest in deeper engagement in renewable energy, trade facilitation, SME development, digital governance, and the education sector.
In response, Bangladesh called for increased UK support in areas such as green investment, vocational training, river restoration, cybersecurity, sanitation management, and joint research.
The engagements in Milan underscore Bangladesh’s proactive efforts to secure development partnerships that support its transition to a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy.
