UN to help lasting reform in Bangladesh
Staff Reporter :
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, has reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s journey towards Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation, emphasising lasting reform, climate resilience, economic transformation, and gender equality – with a pledge to leave no one behind.
Reflecting on the past year, Lewis acknowledged the significant challenges faced but highlighted the resilience and dignity demonstrated by the Bangladeshi people. “I am proud of the partnership between Bangladesh and the UN: it remains grounded in shared values and aspirations,” she stated.
On Thursday, the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) convened the biannual meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) to review progress on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), launch the 2024 UN Country Results Report, and endorse strategic priorities for the coming year.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of political transition, severe climate disasters, and ongoing reform efforts.
The JSC underscored the UN’s adaptability throughout the transition period and its vital role in advancing governance reforms, human rights, and institutional strengthening.
In 2024, the UN implemented development programmes totalling $215 million. Key achievements included support for the Smooth Transition Strategy for LDC graduation, the creation of over 4,000 jobs in collaboration with the private sector, enhancement of turnover for 116 businesses, and digital skills training for more than 11,000 young people.
Social protection services reached 40 million people, with 580,000 children benefiting from specialised protection programmes.
In a major public health initiative, 5.6 million adolescent girls across targeted divisions were vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus, covering 93 per cent of girls aged 10 to 14.
The UN also coordinated $44 million in aid for flood and cyclone relief, providing humanitarian assistance to 1.72 million disaster-affected individuals, alongside climate risk awareness initiatives benefiting 2 million Bangladeshis.
Governance and gender-focused efforts saw Village Courts extend services to 66 per cent of rural unions, covering 61 million people.
The UN supported the advancement of the Sexual Harassment Prevention and Protection Bill and advocated for amendments to the Domestic Violence Act.
The JSC meeting, co-chaired by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Gwyn Lewis, brought together senior government officials and UN agency representatives. In light of the government’s decision to extend the Eighth Five-Year Plan by one year, the JSC endorsed a corresponding one-year extension of the UNSDCF (2022-2026) to ensure alignment with national development planning.
A special session focused on the Declaration on Future Generations and the UN’s youth engagement initiatives, addressing the integration of intergenerational equity into policy and amplifying young people’s voices, following the 2024 Summit of the Future.
Secretary Siddiky expressed gratitude for the UN’s ongoing partnership and optimism that the extended Cooperation Framework will foster deeper collaboration during the transition and beyond.
He highlighted priorities including climate financing through platforms such as the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership, youth employment, social enterprises, impact funding, water resource management, local governance, and UN support ahead of forthcoming reforms and elections.
The JSC concluded by agreeing on key next steps, including the launch of a final-year evaluation of the UNSDCF in late 2025, and a renewed commitment to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and LDC graduation.
The Cooperation Framework guides UN support to Bangladesh across five strategic areas: Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development; Equitable Human Development and Well-being; Sustainable, Healthy and Resilient Environment; Transformative, Participatory and Inclusive Governance; and Gender Equality with the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence.
The next JSC meeting is scheduled for November or December 2025, according to the UN office in Dhaka.