United News of Bangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development by contributing core (regular) resources to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “We deeply appreciate our five-decade-long partnership with Bangladesh, and their contribution to UNDP core resources is a real testament to this”, said Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “As Bangladesh advances its development goals, including graduation from Least Developed Country status, its continued support to the multilateralism underscores its commitment to advancing global sustainable development”. The annual contribution provided as flexible funding is vital for addressing increasingly complex global challenges and enabling rapid responses during crises, said a press release issued recently. Bangladesh continues to advance inclusive growth, climate resilience and effective governance — priorities that closely align with UNDP’s global mission. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury  said that Bangladesh is proud to reaffirm its commitment to multilateral cooperation and to supporting the global development architecture, including through UNDP, Bangladesh’s longstanding development partner since independence in 1971. “Our contribution to UNDP’s core resources reflects the newly elected Government’s commitment to advancing sustainable development, both at home and globally,” he said. “We are also proud to share Bangladesh’s development experience with countries across the Global South. We deeply value our partnership with UNDP and look forward to further strengthening our cooperation,” he added. By providing this flexible core funding contribution, Bangladesh is helping deliver UNDP’s Strategic Plan across more than 170 countries and territories, supporting development efforts where they are needed most. Core contributions play a crucial role in strengthening UNDP’s oversight and accountability functions, ensuring that programmes are delivered effectively, efficiently, and transparently.  

A six-member delegation, including the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Kanni Vignarazar, visited the Rohingya camp at Ukhiya in Cox's Bazar on Monday (September 11, 2023). During this visit, they observed various activities of the donor organisation. Also read: UN Assistant Secretary-General's visit to Bangladesh set for September 9 The delegation reached Block-L/17 of Rohingya Camp-18 in Ukhiya around 10:00 am on Monday. Later, they visited the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre at IMO. During the visit, an IMO official presented the delegation with details by displaying various items bearing testimony to the history and heritage of the Rohingyas preserved inside the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre. A group of Rohingya artists played musical instruments for the delegation and sang a Rohingya anthem (Tarana). They then visited the Model Village under the UNCR-NGO Forum and BRAC Dhara-run pilot project located in Camp 17 H/71 block and visited the ISO SET bio-diversity nurseries. During this time, BRAC officials briefed them on how waste material is paid for in the project. Also read: UNDP facilitates dialogues among parliamentarians on gender-based hate speech and Bangladesh Delta Plan Later, NGO officials gave a detailed briefing to the delegation on how the Rohingyas collect rations through smart cards. Later, they paid a courtesy call on the CIC at the CIC office of Camp-4 Extension. US Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Vignarazar spoke to some of the Rohingyas who came to WFP’s e-voucher shop and inquired about them. Later, the six-member delegation returned to Cox's Bazar around 3:00 pm. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman and Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran were present during the visit. Also read: Sweden, UNDP continue to work on climate adaptation in Bangladesh "During this time, the delegation observed various activities of the donor organisation. Later, they spoke to some Rohingyas who had come to the WFP’s e-voucher shop for some time," said Mizanur.