DHAKA, Nov 25, 2021 (BSS) - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has
unanimously adopted the resolution on graduation of Bangladesh from the Least
Developed Country (LDC) category.

   With the adoption of this resolution, Bangladesh completes all the
procedures to be graduated from the LDC category.

  This is a landmark achievement in Bangladesh's development journey, which
coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's
independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

  Speaking after the adoption of this landmark resolution on November 24, the
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Ambassador
Rabab Fatima thanked all the member states, especially the development
partners, for their support to reach consensus for the adoption of this
resolution.

  She said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina envisioned transforming Bangladesh
into a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041. She has
led us from the front in this exciting journey despite the unprecedented
challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic".

   Stressing that the graduation of an LDC is not only a success of the
country itself but also a testimony of the strength of multilateral
partnership led by the UN, Fatima said, "graduation should not be a
punishment; it should be a reward."

   She highlighted the importance of ensuring an incentives-based
international support structure to graduating and graduated LDCs.

  She also called for tailored and clearly laid down roadmaps to address
every aspect of graduation challenge, namely, post-graduation international
support measures, smooth transition, financing for SDGs implementation etc.

   She said that the upcoming 5th United Nations Conference on the LDCs
(LDC5) to be held in Doha, Qatar provides the development partners a good
opportunity to come up with a transformative programme of action for the LDCs
for the next decade.

  The Draft Doha Programme of Action (DPOA) identified graduation as one of
its priority areas. It has set a target to enable 15 additional LDCs to meet
the criteria for graduation by 2031. The success of this ambitious target
will largely depend on enhanced support and solidarity from the development
partners.

  It is to be mentioned that Ambassador Rabab Fatima and Ambassador Robert
Rae of Canada are co-chairing the preparatory process of the LDC5 conference.

  Later, Rabab Fatima tweeted from New York on Wednesday evening (BD time)
that, "What better way to celebrate 50th anniversary of our independence and
birth centenary of Bangabandhu (Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman)".

   She said that it's a fulfillment of national aspiration and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina's vision 2021.

  On November 24, The UNGA adopted the resolution on 'Graduation of
Bangladesh, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Nepal from the LDC
category, according to the UN's official website.

  The three countries will graduate from the LDC category after an
exceptionally extended preparatory period of five years (the standard period
is of three years) to enable them to prepare for graduation while planning
for a post-COVID-19 recovery and implementing policies and strategies to
reverse the economic and social damage incurred by the COVID-19 shock, said
the UN.