Bangladesh has appealed to the international community for increased financial backing to support the world’s most vulnerable nations, citing the severe impact of the global energy crisis and climate change on developing economies.
Speaking at the United Nations headquarters on Wednesday, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, urged global leaders to honour their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments and expand concessional lending to Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
His remarks were delivered during a joint thematic event hosted by the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. The session focused on the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action, a comprehensive framework aimed at driving sustainable growth in the poorest nations.
The ambassador warned that the developmental progress achieved by LDCs is currently under severe threat. He highlighted that a combination of extreme climate shocks, mounting national debts, and a volatile global energy market could easily erode years of hard-won economic gains if international support falters.
Addressing the specific challenges of nations transitioning out of LDC status, the envoy outlined the reasoning behind Bangladesh’s recent request to extend its own graduation period by three years. This extension, he noted, is critical to ensuring that the country’s economic transition remains smooth and sustainable, rather than abrupt and disruptive.
A successful transition, the ambassador stressed, requires steadfast political will from wealthier nations. He pointed out that robust international support must be maintained not just during the graduation phase, but also in the years immediately following, to prevent newly graduated countries from slipping backwards during times of global economic turbulence.
Looking ahead, the ambassador also expressed optimism regarding the upcoming Doha Midterm Review, which is scheduled to take place in Qatar in March 2027. He voiced hope that the summit will serve as a pivotal moment to accelerate the delivery of international pledges, yielding concrete and measurable outcomes for both current LDCs and those on the path to graduation.
The ambassador’s address underscores a growing international consensus: navigating the transition to resilient energy systems and adapting to climate risks will require a far more supportive global financial architecture, particularly for nations on the frontlines of economic and environmental change.
