UN Assistant Secretary-General Haoliang Xu, attends LDC Graduation Ceremony and Visits Cox’s Bazar

March 27, 2018

Bangladesh has reached a significant milestone in meeting all criteria for graduating from Least Developed Country status, said Haoliang Xu, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UN Development Programme’s Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific, at a press conference in Dhaka today.

“While there is still much to do, Bangladesh is embarking on a new chapter in its development with expectations of continued strong economic growth,” said Mr. Xu. “Based on current estimates and with sustained progress it will graduate in 2024. As part of the transition it is important for Bangladesh to work to escape the middle-income trap by focusing on necessary structural transformation, innovation, increasing productivity, improving governance and lowering inequality. “We need to continue to work together with the government and other partners for a smooth transition to graduation and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”, added Mr. Xu.

The Government of Bangladesh invited Mr. Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator to participate in a series of celebratory events around its prospective graduation from Least Developed Country status. Mr Xu representing, Mr. Steiner is visiting Bangladesh from March 22-25.

He attended the LDC Graduation ceremony earlier this week, honoring Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and read out a message from Administrator Steiner. Mr. Xu also participated in the workshop titled “Bangladesh Graduation from LDC Status: Opportunities and Way Forward” organized by the Economic Relations Division and chaired by the Finance Minister Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith. Other speakers at these events included United Nations Under Secretary-General Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utokamanu, Secretary-General’s High Representative for LDCs, Land-locked Development Countries and SIDS.

As part of his visit, Mr. Xu also visited Teknaf to witness first-hand the situation at the Rohingya refugee camp and to learn more about the impact of the situation on the local community. Mr. Xu commended the Government of Bangladesh as well as the local community for sheltering the large influx of Rohingya. He said UNDP was ready to support the host community along with the government and other partners to deal with the social, economic and environmental impact of the humanitarian crisis.

Media Monitoring on ASG and UNDP Regional Director’s Press Briefing

Transition from LDC: Bangladesh faces lots of challenges : Says UN assistant secretary general (Daily Star, Bangladesh)

Bangladesh on right track to address challenges: Says UN assistant secretary general (Daily Sun, Bangladesh)

Work together to escape middle-income trap: UN to BD : It ‘giving strong message to global investors’ thru’ progress (United News Bangladesh)

UN suggests BD Work together to escape middle-income trap (New Nation, Bangladesh)

Lots need to be done for sustainable transition from LDC: UN official (Prothom Alo, Bangladesh)

UN to Bangladesh: Work together to escape middle-income trap (Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh)

UNDP Regional Director Haoliang Xu in city (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh)

Work together to escape middle-income trap: UN tells Bangladesh (News Today, Bangladesh)

Work together to break away from middle-income trap: UN to BD (Financial Express, Bangladesh)

Bangladesh on right track to make achievement sustainable: UN (Independent, Bangladesh)

Despite challenges, Bangladesh will benefit from LDC graduation: UN (Bdnews24.com, Bangladesh)