Bangladesh seeks stronger global support to bridge $132b SDG financing gap

Bangladesh has called for greater international support, including grants, concessional financing and technology transfer, to bridge an annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) financing gap of more than $132 billion and accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Planning State Minister Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki made the call while delivering Bangladesh's country statement at the General Debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday (13 July).

Saki said Bangladesh continues to face major financing constraints, particularly in clean energy, infrastructure and economic growth. He added that the country is also facing a 37% funding shortfall for supporting around 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, leaving an immediate financing gap of about $261 million.

Despite the challenges, he said Bangladesh remains committed to reducing extreme poverty, achieving near-universal primary education and strengthening climate resilience.

The state minister said the government, elected in February, has adopted a "3R Strategy" – Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction – to restore economic stability, rebuild institutions and advance sustainable development. 

He said the strategy is being implemented under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership through the Five-Year Strategic Framework, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and preparations for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

Outlining the government's priorities, Saki said public spending on education and health will be increased to 5% of GDP. Over the next five years, the government also plans to dredge 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, plant 250 million saplings, expand renewable energy, promote green industries and transport, and establish a carbon market to attract green investment.

He added that Bangladesh is strengthening domestic resource mobilisation through a universal life-cycle-based social security programme centred on women and a Farmers Card initiative aimed at improving rural livelihoods, food security and agricultural productivity.

Urging stronger global cooperation, Saki called on development partners to increase grant assistance, concessional financing and technology transfer to help developing countries accelerate SDG implementation.

"We stand ready to reform, invest and deliver for better implementation of the SDGs," he said.