Bangladesh wins in ECOSOC election for 2025-2027

Bangladesh was elected as a member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the principal organs of the United Nations (UN), for the term 2025-2027 from the Asia-Pacific region by securing 181 votes out of 189.

Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan were the other countries elected from the same region at the election held at the UN General Assembly Hall on Friday, a foreign ministry's press release said here on Saturday.

ECOSOC is also the most important platform of the UN system and for that matter multilateral diplomacy when it comes to development and social issues, reports BSS.

"This is a recognition of Bangladesh's unique success in achieving sustainable development through innovative means under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a demonstration of the trust and confidence that Bangladesh enjoys in the international arena," said Ambassador Muhammad A. Muhith, the permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN, while speaking after the election.

Referring to Bangladesh's upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a developing country in 2026, Ambassador Muhith said: "Membership in ECOSOC will be critical for our smooth and sustainable graduation and expedite our progress towards implementing Agenda 2030."

This would also enable us to share our best developmental practices with the rest of the world, he added.

Membership in ECOSOC will enable Bangladesh to enhance its visibility and efforts, in implementing Agenda 2030 through policy formulation and active participation in various forums, commissions, committees, executive boards and regional platforms like the UN-ESCAP.

The election was conducted under the Presidency of 78th United Nations General Assembly President Dennis Francis through a secret ballot.

Bangladesh will commence its ECOSOC membership from January 2025.

Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is making remarkable progress towards achieving Agenda 2030 and the 'Vision 2041: Transforming Bangladesh into a Smart Nation', according to the foreign ministry's press release.

Widely regarded as a 'role model' for socio-economic development, Bangladesh's advancements have earned international recognition.

Diplomats from various countries at the election venue commented: "This victory is a global acknowledgement of Bangladesh's development success

"Indeed, Bangladesh's ongoing successes in international elections in general, and this highly prestigious election in particular, manifest the confidence, trust and appreciation that our nation is receiving from the international community," said the release.

Only on Thursday, the foreign ministry mentioned that Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith was elected as the Chair of the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly for its 79th Session.

Bangladesh is also the current President of the Executive Board of the UNDP/UNFPS/UNOPS.