A high-level delegation from Bangladesh is set to visit the United States to seek support from United Nations member states for extending the country’s preparation period for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by three years.
The delegation will be led by Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir.
The other members of the seven-member delegation include Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations in New York Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Tarek Mohammad Ariful Islam, Economic Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington Dr. Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, Economic Minister at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Syed Mohammad Aminur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan, and President of the Footwear, Leather Goods and Accessories Exporters Association (LFMEAB) Syed Nasim Manzur.
Earlier this month, another delegation was scheduled to visit Nepal for a similar diplomatic engagement. However, the necessary discussions were reportedly held through a virtual meeting.
Recently, the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) gave a positive opinion regarding Bangladesh’s request to extend the preparation period for LDC graduation. Although the CDP did not make any specific recommendation in its letter and assessment report on the number of additional years required, it supported a longer transition period, though shorter than Bangladesh’s requested three-year extension.
Based on the CDP’s assessment, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and subsequently the UN General Assembly will take the final decision on the matter.
With approval from the relevant authorities, the delegation will visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York from July 14 to 19 to secure support from UN member states, senior officials, and international organizations for a three-year extension of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation preparation period.
During the visit, the delegation will hold meetings with representatives of UN member states, relevant officials, and international organizations. The delegation will also attend a special promotional dinner organized by the Government of Bangladesh.
At these meetings and events, the delegation will highlight Bangladesh’s LDC graduation preparations, policy measures, reform initiatives, and steps taken to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition. They will also emphasize the challenges posed by global economic uncertainties, changing international trade conditions, and the need to ensure long-term stability of the national economy while seeking support from member states for the proposed three-year extension.
Meanwhile, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), organized by ECOSOC, is being held in New York from July 7 to 15. Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir is participating in the forum.
It is expected that his participation in meetings with other delegations and promotional activities alongside the scheduled programme will further strengthen Bangladesh’s diplomatic efforts and play an important role in securing support from UN member states.
In this context, a proposal has been made to include Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir as a member of the delegation visiting New York from July 14–19 to seek international support for extending Bangladesh’s LDC graduation preparation period by three years.
