Bangladesh calls for global effort to recover illegally transferred assets

Bangladesh has urged stronger international cooperation to recover assets illegally transferred from developing countries. The call was made by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, at the 22nd session of the UN High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation.

Ambassador Chowdhury emphasized the urgent need to build collective political will grounded in justice and mutual trust to bring back illicitly transferred assets. He also advocated for a phased withdrawal of special privileges for countries graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status to ensure a sustainable transition.

Highlighting the impact of social business initiatives, he said such efforts in health, education, food security, and renewable energy could bring positive changes in developing nations.

The ambassador stressed the importance of youth in driving development, calling for increased investment in education and emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to equip young people with necessary skills.

Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to global development goals, Ambassador Chowdhury reiterated support for building a just and inclusive world focused on “Three Zeros” — zero poverty, zero carbon emissions, and zero inequality — through enhanced collaboration among developing countries.