On behalf of the United Nations System in Bangladesh, I am pleased to welcome you to our webpage. In it you will find information on how the UN system is working together with Government and other partners to achieve sustainable, human-centred development.

Bangladesh is a relatively young nation with an ancient culture and history. After winning its independence in 1971, the people of Bangladesh have time and again proven their immense creativity, fortitude, dynamism and resilience.   

These qualities are illustrated through remarkable successes in human development, powered by innovations such as micro credit and by steady economic growth. Since independence, poverty has been reduced substantially, life expectancy has increased from 47 years to 62 years, and fertility rates have been halved. If current trends are sustained, Bangladesh is well positioned to reach a good number of the Millennium Development Goals and targets.   At the same time, Bangladesh faces persistent challenges, such as the impact of climate change, ensuring food security, and widening access to and quality of schooling and health care.

Bangladesh is a cherished member of the United Nations.  Consistently among the top UN Peacekeeping troop contributing countries, Bangladesh has made a name for itself as a professional and reliable global partner in the quest for world peace.  Bangladesh also plays a leadership role in several other important UN fora – the Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and other UN bodies.  Each year at the UN General Assembly, it is the Government of Bangladesh that tables the resolution on “Culture of Peace”.

In Bangladesh, the UN system helps the Government and people of this country to achieve their goals and objectives as outlined in national plans and strategies.  On request, we provide assistance in developing policies, translating international norms and standards into national frameworks, technical and managerial capacity building, and grass-roots development activities.   

We hope this website will help deepen your understanding of the UN System’s work in Bangladesh and that it may spark interest in people around the world to both learn more about Bangladesh and to participate in the work of the UN, here and elsewhere.

Renata Lok Dessallien
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh