Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin had a series of meetings with the UN high officials and highlighted the interim government's priority of recovering stolen assets. He called for the UN’s cooperation in addressing tax evasion and combating illicit financial flows. Regarding Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from LDC status, the Foreign Secretary stressed the need for continued international support during both the transition and post-graduation phases. Acknowledging the challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to the global economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global conflicts, he sought stronger support from the UN System, including through development cooperation facilitated by the Resident Coordinator’s Office. He also expressed appreciation that the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) will serve as the implementing body for the recent Bangladesh-led UN General Assembly resolution declaring May 6 as Rural Development Day. The Foreign Secretary met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua in the UN Headquarters in New York on October 14. During discussion, he briefed the Under-Secretary-General on the ongoing reform process in Bangladesh currently being undertaken by the interim government, reflecting the aspirations of the “July-August Revolution”. Jashim emphasized the importance of the UN’s technical and policy support in advancing the government’s reform agenda, particularly in enhancing accountability and transparency, building on the five decades of partnership between the UN and Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. USG Junhua appreciated Bangladesh’s current chairmanship in the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly and assured all out support from the Secretariat. Read: FS holds fruitful talks on UN support in transparency and accountability He told the Foreign Secretary that DESA would be happy to assist Bangladesh in the reform process, especially through their tools for public institution capacity building and digital governance. He stated that the LDC graduation should indeed be considered a new starting point, and the graduated countries should continue to benefit from preferential arrangements. Concerning SDG implementation, he underscored the importance of the upcoming Fourth International Conference to be held in 2025 in Spain; during which efforts would be made to reinvigorate the global development assistance, including through innovative financing, ensuring debt sustainability and the reform of the international financial institutions. The Foreign Secretary also met Selwin Charles Hart, UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition. During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary reiterated Bangladesh’s call for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, including ensuring adequate climate finance as promised. Read more: Meeting with FS in NY: UN reaffirms support for Bangladesh's reform initiatives

Bangladesh and the United States have discussed ways for strengthening collaboration to counter corruption, tackle money laundering and recover stolen assets. The issues were discussed during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and acting Coordinator for Global Anti-Corruption Shelby Smith-Wilson in Washington, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Talks also covered technical support for reforms, MLA (Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) treaty and enhancing experience and expertise sharing in procurement systems, law enforcement, judiciary and media. US values Bangladesh as a partner in Indo-Pacific region: Uzra Zeya Meanwhile, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said the United States values Bangladesh as a “partner” in the Indo-Pacific region and their “strong collaboration” as their leading partner on Rohingya response and number one source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). She shared a brief message on X, formerly known as Twitter on Saturday as she had a meeting with the Foreign Secretary in Washington on October 11. "Vital discussion with Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin on US-Bangladesh humanitarian cooperation, accountability and democratic institutions and support for labour rights," she said. The Foreign Secretary and Under-Secretary Uzra Zeya had “fruitful discussions" on the reforms of the democratic institutions and upholding of democratic values, accountability of human rights violations, humanitarian response and sustainable solutions of the Rohingya crisis and labour rights issues, according to the ministry. He also had a "productive meeting" with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the State Department, affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest. The Foreign Secretary had a separate meeting with acting US Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass and discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance impactful cooperation in priority areas. He also had discussions on diverse issues at a meeting with US Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W Ford at the White House. They covered the interim government's reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis and labour law. Foreign Secretary also Jashim met Brendan Lynch, Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and discussed mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton imported from US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC). A lunch meeting between the Foreign Secretary and key officials focused on a wide range of issues of mutual interests. The US officials included Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, as well as Director Alla P Kamins. The Foreign Secretary visited New York before his tour to Washington and is scheduled to leave Washington on October 14.