1 May 2024

Bangladesh’s Engagement With UNESCAP: A Path Towards Regional Development – Analysis

Syed Raiyan Amir

On April 25, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a poignant address at the 80th Annual Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), held in Bangkok, Thailand. Her remarks echoed far beyond the walls of the conference hall, resonating with a global audience and sparking discussions on critical issues facing the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Bangladesh’s Prior Active Engagement in UNESCAP

Bangladesh actively participates and contributes to the initiatives of UNESCAP, continuously enhancing its involvement in ESCAP-related activities. It has introduced four resolutions on various socio-economic issues of common interest to Asia-Pacific countries and organized five side events. Bangladesh remains engaged in every committee and expert group meeting of UNESCAP. The nation’s decade-long efforts in sustainable development were recognized in the Sustainable Development Report, 2021, with Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina receiving the SDG Progress Award during the 76th UNGA in September 2021. During the 77th session of UNESCAP in May 2021, Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina proposed a 4-point recommendation to address the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized regional cooperation for shared prosperity. Bangladesh endorsed the Policy statement of UNESCAP, declaring a strategy aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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