UNFPA Backs Bangladesh's Demographic Agenda

UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita has pledged to champion Bangladesh's development initiatives globally, praising the country's commitment to demographic resilience, women's empowerment, universal healthcare and an inclusive social protection system.

The commitment came during a meeting with a Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir at the UNFPA headquarters in New York on July 16.

State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki and General Economics Division Member Dr. Monzur Hossain also attended the meeting.

During the discussions, Dr. Titumir outlined the government's key development priorities, including a universal life-cycle-based social protection system centred on women, the Family Card initiative, greater investment in education and healthcare, youth skills development and employment, healthy ageing, reliable population data and stronger primary healthcare services.

He also highlighted that Bangladesh continues to host more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds, placing considerable economic, environmental and security pressures on the country.

Dr. Titumir called for greater UNFPA engagement to support the early, safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar, ensuring that they can return with dignity, enjoy their rights and access sustainable livelihood opportunities.

He said Bangladesh's large youth population offers a significant demographic dividend while stressing the need to prepare for the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population.

State Minister Zonayed Saki said the government is working to establish an integrated primary healthcare system that reaches every citizen, with particular emphasis on mothers, children and underserved communities.

He also sought closer cooperation with UNFPA to strengthen Bangladesh's national statistical system, align the agency's next Country Programme with the government's Five-Year Strategic Framework and document Bangladesh's development experience as a global best practice.

Keita reaffirmed UNFPA's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in the areas of demographic resilience, reproductive health, youth development, healthy ageing, population data and innovative financing.

She said Bangladesh's experience demonstrates how strong political leadership and national ownership can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that UNFPA would continue promoting the country's development achievements on the global stage.