Bangkok, 27 April 2024 (TDI): The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Haseena Wajid, addressed the 80th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The session aimed at addressing UNESCAP’s assistance and aid to develop adaptability, promote connectivity, and expedite sustainable progress and growth across the region.
The eightieth session of ESCAP is directed by the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific,” which aims to enhance regional collaboration on digital efforts and tech innovation.
Moreover, it aims to swiftly implement the sustainable development goals outlined in the 2030 agenda by leveraging digital advancements across Asia and the Pacific.
During her speech, Haseena Wajid said that while nations are still struggling to cope with the aftermaths of the COVID-19 pandemic, novel challenges and obstacles have emerged, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which has disrupted the world economy.
Due to disruptions in production and supply chains, every state is suffering, but the developing and underdeveloped countries are the “worst sufferers.”.
Commenting on the Bangladeshi economy, she said that in the last decade, the country has tripled its income per capita, “reaching 2 thousand 765 USD in the 2022–23 fiscal year”. Thus, displaying a robust record of growth and economy.
She added, “We achieved GDP growth of over 6 percent for the last three consecutive years”.
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She further included, “We reduced the poverty rate from 41.5 percent in 2006 to 18.7 percent in 2023 and made commendable progress in universal primary education, food security, reduction of maternal and child mortality, gender inequality, women empowerment, etc.”.
The Prime Minister gave credit to the appropriate measures taken by the Bangladesh government to bolster economic empowerment and reduce poverty, such as the digital payment system and financial transactions for people without bank accounts.
In this regard, she said “The planned development has helped Bangladesh graduate from the LDC category. We have now declared our next vision to become a ‘Smart’ Bangladesh by the year 2041.”
Moreover, she proposed additional measures for the Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA). She said, “A more inclusive and connected Asia-Pacific region is to be fostered by enhancing e-commerce and digital trade and accelerating IT-enabled services”.
She added, “Support LDCs and vulnerable nations affected by financial crises arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts”.
She stated, “Development partners and international organizations must combine and enhance their commitment and support for scaling up disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures”.
She concluded her speech by stating the last recommendation, “Exchange of digital health innovations and skill-based knowledge, enabling healthcare professionals to successfully use digital tools for pandemic preparedness and response”.
