‘Bangladeshis key drivers of development’

UN Secretary General's SDG Advocate and Belgian Queen Mathilde yesterday concluded her three-day visit to Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of building resilient communities and leaving no one behind.

She mentioned that the people of Bangladesh are the main drivers of the country's development and that it is critical to build inclusive societies in the aftermath of the pandemic, recent global economic volatility and the devastating floods that hit the country in June last year.

In a statement yesterday, UN Resident Coordinator of Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis said the Queen's visit highlighted once again that progress towards the SDGs needs to be accelerated.

She added that the UN and its partners will spare no effort to support Bangladesh in reaching the SDGs by 2030.

During her visit, Queen Mathilde saw UN's programmatic work covering several sustainable development goals, including climate action, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and quality education.

She visited a garment factory in Narayanganj, a Unicef ability-based accelerated learning centre in Dhaka, and a water-treatment plant facility in Khulna's Sutarkhali union.

The Queen also went to Cox's Bazar to see the ongoing humanitarian response for the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar, where she met with Rohingya women, men, and youths, and volunteers working in the camps. She also visited various facilities supported by the UNHCR and its partners.

In a statement, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Johannes van der Klaauw said the Queen's visit comes as the Rohingya crisis is well into its sixth year and against the backdrop of a serious decline in available funding.