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