Staff Reporter:
UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita has pledged to champion Bangladesh’s development initiatives globally, praising the country’s political commitment to demographic resilience, women’s empowerment, universal healthcare and inclusive social security system.
The commitment came during a meeting with a Bangladesh delegation led by Adviser to the Prime Minister for Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir at UNFPA Headquarters in New York on Thursday (16 July).
State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki and Member of General Economics Division Dr Monzur Hossain also attended the meeting.
Dr Titumir outlined the government’s priorities, including a universal life-cycle-based social security system centred on women, the Family Card initiative, investment in education and health, youth skills and employment, healthy ageing, credible population data and stronger primary healthcare, said a press release.
Dr Titumir also underlined that Bangladesh continues to host more than 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds placing significant economic, environmental and security pressures on the country.
He called for greater UNFPA engagement to support the early repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar and to help ensure that, upon their return they can live in safety and dignity, enjoy their rights and access sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Dr Titumir said Bangladesh’s large youth population offers a unique demographic dividend while emphasizing the need to prepare for a longevity dividend as the population ages.
State Minister Zonayed Saki said the government aims to build an integrated primary healthcare system that reaches every citizen, with particular focus on mothers, children and underserved communities.
He also sought closer cooperation in strengthening Bangladesh’s national statistical system, aligning UNFPA’s next Country Programme with the Government’s Five-Year Strategic Framework and documenting Bangladesh’s development experience as a global best practice.
USG Keita reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh on demographic resilience, reproductive health, youth development, healthy ageing, population data and innovative financing.
She said Bangladesh’s experience demonstrates how strong political leadership and national ownership can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and pledged that UNFPA would continue promoting the country’s achievements internationally.
