Foreign Secy seeks UN cooperation in combating illicit financial flows

Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin has called upon the UN to cooperate in addressing tax evasion and combating illicit financial flows while highlighting the interim government's priority over recovering stolen assets.

He made the urge as he met UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, in the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, said a foreign ministry's press release on Wednesday, reports BSS.

During the discussion, the foreign secretary briefed the Under-Secretary-General about the reform process in Bangladesh currently being undertaken by the interim government, reflecting the aspirations of the "July-August Revolution".

He emphasized the importance of the UN's technical and policy support in advancing the government's reform agenda, particularly in enhancing accountability and transparency along with building on the five decades of partnership between the UN and Bangladesh.

Regarding Bangladesh's upcoming graduation from LDC status, he 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 Under-Secretary-General appreciated Bangladesh's current chairmanship in the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly, and assured all-out support from the Secretariat.

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.