Launching of The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 was launched today at the NEC-2 Conference room, by the Economic Relations Division of the Bangladesh Ministry of Finance and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. In light of public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch was a virtual one.

The Honorable Minister of Finance A.H.M Mustafa Kamal, and Honorable Minister of Planning M.A. Mannan attended launch and offered remarks. Opening statements were delivered by Ms. Fatima Yasmin, Secretary, ERD, Ministry of Finance, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Ms. Mia Seppo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.

In her opening remarks the ERD Secretary Ms. Fatima Yasmin expressed her hope that this Cooperation Framework will create the ground for joint work between the Government and the UN Country Team in Bangladesh to accelerate implementation of the 8th Five Year Plan. She said “This is a very important Framework that will guide our cooperation with the UN on a broad range of areas from LDC graduation, to pandemic recovery and achieving the SDGs.”

In her comments, the UN Resident Coordinator thanked the Government and partners for their contribution to the formulation of the Cooperation Framework. She reiterated commitment of the UN family in Bangladesh to stand strongly with the Government in key priorities like tackling climate change, ensuring that every child gets a quality education and a safe childhood, enabling every woman and man to be able to participate in decision-making.

Addressing participants, the Minister of Finance said “The UN has been Bangladesh’s longstanding and trusted partner from the onset of our independence and significantly contributed to our overall development achievements. This Cooperation Framework will also contribute to a more resilient recovery from the pandemic and to the acceleration towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.”

Referring to the imminent LDC graduation, the Minister of Planning said “We are about to graduate from LDC status. Achieving a developed country status by It is our responsibility to ensure that At the threshold of graduation, as a developing country, and one that is aiming to become a developed country by 2041, and ensuring that the benefits of development are shared equitably is our responsibility. This Cooperation Framework will contribute to real, and sustainable difference to the lives of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable groups.”

At the event Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN (New York) Ambassador Rabab Fatima, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Development Coordination Office in New York Mr. Robert Piper also offered pre-recorded messages.

On behalf of Bangladesh, the ERD Secretary Ms. Fatima Yasmin and on behalf of the UN in Bangladesh the Resident Coordinator Ms. Mia Seppo unveiled the Cooperation Framework.