Staff Reporter, Dhaka : Adviser to the Prime Minister for the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has called for stronger United Nations support to ensure Bangladesh smooth and sustainable graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, accelerate SDG implementation and advance the country's reform agenda.

On Tuesday the Advisor had separate meetings with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General & Executive Secretary of UN-ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and UNDP Assistant Secretary-General & Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja. During these meetings Dr. Titumir explained the rationale behind Bangladesh request for a three-year extension of the LDC graduation preparatory period in order to make the graduation irreversible.

The Adviser said the Government democratic mandate had strengthened its reform agenda, with a focus on institutional reform, accountable governance and people-centred development. He also highlighted the Government 3R Strategy-Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction for Acceleration-as the roadmap for restoring economic stability and advancing long-term development.

USG Li Junhua reaffirmed UN DESA support for Bangladesh development journey, pledged cooperation on the LDC transition process and praised the Government Universal Social Security Protection System.

Executive Secretary of UN-ESCAP Alisjahbana reaffirmed UN-ESCAP support for Bangladesh LDC transition, regional connectivity and climate resilience, while UNDP Director Wignaraja reiterated UNDP commitment to supporting democratic governance, institutional reforms and Bangladesh sustainable development priorities.