Bangladesh has expressed its commitment for contributing to the global agenda beyond 2030, focusing on equitable development, empathy and sustainability.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made the commitment when he was addressing the high-level event, the ‘Summit for Future’ on sideline of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, according to a message disseminated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (24 September).
At the summit, Hossain emphasised the importance of a shared global vision built on the ‘Pact for Future’ principles, introduced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The foreign adviser lauded the Summit, which brought together diverse actors and stakeholders, as a testament to multilateral cooperation.
He acknowledged the challenges of envisioning the future in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable world but stressed the need for difficult choices and trade-offs to secure a sustainable future.
“Nearly a decade into Agenda 2030, we still face rising inequalities, persistent poverty, and inadequate responses to critical issues like climate adaptation,” Hossain observed.
He highlighted how the recent student-people upsurge in Bangladesh showcased the country’s enduring aspiration for freedom, dignity, and justice, emphasising the importance of valuing empathy, stability, and well-being over sheer economic growth.
Hossain called for a reevaluation of global development approaches, stressing the need to balance ecology with the economy, democratise access to digital technology, and support marginalized communities.
He also underscored the importance of blending traditional knowledge with contemporary advancements to unleash entrepreneurial potential across the developing world.
The adviser hoped that the summit’s guiding principles and the resulting “Declarations on Future Generations and the Digital Compact” would lay the groundwork for a new global post-2030 agenda.
He affirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to contribute to this collective effort, helping to shape a future where empathy, responsibility, and shared prosperity prevail.
The Summit of the Future offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change and a chance to commit to bold new solutions.
It provided an opportunity to create international mechanisms that better reflect the realities of the 21st century and can respond to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.
