Statement by H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations at the First Regular Session 2017 of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS New York, 30 January 2017
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President,
- On behalf of Bangladesh delegation, I warmly congratulate you and all the newly elected members of the Executive Board and assure you of our sincere support and cooperation during your presidency.
- We appreciate the statement delivered by the UNDP Administrator which provides us with a detailed overview of the efforts made by the UNDP in achieving sustainable development particularly the “new Strategic Plan”. We also deeply appreciate Madam Helen Clark for her outstanding leadership during her tenure.
- At the outset, we would like to align ourselves with the statement made by the Chair of the G77 and China.
Mr. President,
- We have before us the transformative 2030 Agenda that aims at sustainable development for all by 2030. We are in the second year of the implementation of the Agenda. It would require our strong commitment to the means of implementation to translate it into action. Mobilizing resources would be a challenge particularly for the LDCs. However, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda provides us a clear guidance with new commitments, innovative ways of resource mobilization and more importantly, stronger partnership and collaboration among the stakeholders envisaged in the 2030 Agenda.
Mr. President,
- We acknowledge the importance of the United Nations Development Programme in supporting our national efforts and capacity-building to achieve development goals. We expect that the UNDP would keep supporting the countries particularly the least developed countries in the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda in a balanced and integrated manner.
Mr. President,
- UNDP is playing a constructive role in LDCs towards supporting the national governments in implementing the vision and strategies which are aimed at achieving the SDGs. The new QCPR calls for a strong United Nations Development System to provide support to the developing countries in implementing the SDGs. It recognizes that the LDCs are badly in need of resources to translate their development plans and SDGs into meaningful actions. We also welcome that the new QCPR gives strategic guidance to the UN funds and programs to be more in line with the priorities determined by the Government of the programme countries. However, we are concerned at not seeing any increase in the core resources of the UNDS, it is rather on decline. Only a few Member States contribute to UNDP regular resources. In view of this, we request UNDP to continue to explore incentives and mechanisms to broaden its donor base. At the same time, we urge our development partners to enhance their regular contributions to the UNDS.
Mr. President,
- As Chair of the LDCs, Bangladesh reiterates that these countries need enhanced support and prioritized allocation for the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoOA). The Mid Term Review of the IPOA reveals that more concrete actions are required to achieve desired progress in the LDCs. The aim of making half of the LDCs graduate out of this category by 2020 would not be achieved with the status of cooperation currently in place. We urge the UNDP to come forward with innovative ways to strengthen cooperation among countries, including among the South, towards accelerating the implementation of the IPoA. We also believe South-South Cooperation & Triangular Cooperation under the auspices of UNDP has tremendous potential in promoting specific areas of development like ICT etc.
Mr. President,
- The government of Bangladesh remains committed to bring in qualitative change in the lives of the people through sustainable development. Good governance remains the cornerstone of our development efforts. We have ensured democratic values and people’s representation in all our activities. The principles of financial inclusion and environmental protection have guided the Government to achieve a 7% economic growth. Our impressive record in achieving the MDGs speaks for our far-sighted and pragmatic policies. We are equally committed to attain the SDGs which are fully aligned with our current development vision. Bangladesh continues to take various measures towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. We acknowledge the importance of the UNDP’s support towards the realization of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Vision 2021 which aims at establishing ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by putting it into a trajectory of high performing growth, minimizing income inequality and poverty, securing health and education for all, enhancing creativity and human capitals and establishing social justice and good governance.
- UNDP, last December, formulated its new Country Programme (CP) in close consultation with our Government. In its new CP, UNDP has committed 305.00 million US$ for the next four years i.e. 2017-2020. It is encouraging to note that UNDP has aligned the CP with our country priorities as well as SDGs. It will deliver under the new CP primarily in the areas of ensuring inclusive economic growth and supporting economic opportunities, particularly for women; improving social policies and programmes with a focus on good governance and structural inequalities; and building resilience and improving environmental sustainability. The Government of Bangladesh has been also supporting UNDP through its annual contribution which has been increased lately. The Government would also now go into cost-sharing with the UNDP which was reflected in the recent formulation of the UNDAF with Bangladesh. Mr. President,
- | We would like to reassure UNDP of our full support. We also join others to appreciate UNDP for its increased attention to having a transparent and inclusive Annual Work Plan that will be beneficial to all developing countries.
- We hope that the UNDS as a whole would accord highest priority to the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We look forward to contributing effectively to ensure a successful outcome of this session.
I thank you, Mr. President.