Bangladesh welcomes UN reform, commits to SDGs

Bangladesh welcomes the United Nations (UN) secretary-general’s reform of the UN system, according to foreign ministry officials.

The reform assigns responsibility to the UN resident coordinator to monitor all activities of the UN’s many organs. It aims to improve the efficiency of UN activities and increase coordination among different agencies.

Besides, political commitment and policy support are essential for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the foreign ministry officials affirmed.

The statement was made at a conference on “SDGs and Bangladesh”, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh, at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said in his inaugural speech that SDG goals are inspirational yet achievable, provided that there is political commitment. “After an outstanding performance to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the government is now focusing on the attainment of the SDGs. Engagement of the larger society and partnership with all stakeholders is very important for achieving the SDGs and Vision 2041,” he observed.

He said that Bangladesh has included the SDGs in the Seventh National Development Plan. Delta Plan 2100 highlights the country’s commitment to achieving the SDGs.

However, the foreign minister said: “Although we are progressing in every dimension, we still have a long way to go. Vulnerability to climate change poses a great threat to us. The government has developed the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan using its own funds.”

Bangladesh welcomes UN reform, commits to SDGs

Bangladesh welcomes the United Nations (UN) secretary-generals reform of the UN system, according to foreign ministry officials. The reform assigns responsibility to the UN resident coordinator to monitor all activities of the UNs many organs. It aims to improve the efficiency of UN activities and increase coordination among different agencies. Besides, political commitment and policy support are essential for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the foreign ministry officials affirmed. The statement was made at a conference on SDGs and Bangladesh, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Resident Coordinators Office in Bangladesh, at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital. Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said in his inaugural speech that SDG goals are inspirational yet achievable, provided that there is political commitment. After an outstanding performance to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the government is now focusing on the attainment of the SDGs. Engagement of the larger society and partnership with all stakeholders is very important for achieving the SDGs and Vision 2041, he observed. He said that Bangladesh has included the SDGs in the Seventh National Development Plan. Delta Plan 2100 highlights the countrys commitment to achieving the SDGs. However, the foreign minister said: Although we are progressing in every dimension, we still have a long way to go. Vulnerability to climate change poses a great threat to us. The government has developed the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan using its own funds.