On December 10, 2023, at the NEC-2 Conference Room in Dhaka, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance signed three agreements on Sunday aiming for sustainable development and ongoing collaboration. The projects covered by the agreements include the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC), Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO), and Aspire to Innovate (a2i).

Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative, and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division, signed on behalf of their respective organizations, at the latter’s office, according to a press release. Representatives from various ministries like ERD, LGD, ICT, and embassies, including Swedish Embassy and Embassy of Denmark were present at the signing ceremony.

Stefan Liller said, “We work closely with the Government and development partners for the sustainable development of communities across Bangladesh, including on climate change adaptation, women’s economic empowerment and supporting Digital and SMART Bangladesh.”

He acknowledged the support of partners, including the ERD, LGD and ICT division, and extended gratitude to Sweden and Denmark for their generous contributions. Stefan emphasized the need for continued collaboration to achieve impactful development outcomes in the future.

Shahriar Kader Siddiky expressed gratitude for the support received from the development partners. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to meet the goals set for 2030.

The projects have demonstrated tangible results in areas such as climate change, women’s empowerment, and innovation, contributing to the broader agenda of sustainable development.

The signing of these agreements marks another chapter in the long-standing partnership between UNDP and the Ministry of Finance’s Economic Relations Division, showcasing the joint commitment to making a lasting impact on communities.