Bangladesh has been elected as a member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a principal organ of the United Nations, for the term 2025-2027. Securing 181 out of 189 votes, Bangladesh was elected from the Asia-Pacific region during a vote held at the UN General Assembly Hall.
Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan were also elected from the same region. ECOSOC is a crucial platform within the UN system, focusing on development and social issues.
Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, Bangladesh is making significant strides towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and Vision 2041, which aims to transform Bangladesh into a smart nation. These achievements have garnered international acclaim, with Bangladesh often cited as a model for socio-economic development.
Diplomats at the election venue hailed Bangladesh’s victory as a global acknowledgment of its development success. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) noted that this election win reflects the international community’s confidence, trust, and appreciation of Bangladesh’s progress.
Recently, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, was elected Chair of the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the UN General Assembly for its 79th Session. This election, conducted under the presidency of Dennis Francis, was held through a secret ballot.
Ambassador Muhith emphasized that Bangladesh’s unique success in achieving sustainable development under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership played a pivotal role in this recognition. He added that membership in ECOSOC is vital for Bangladesh’s smooth transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a developing country by 2026, and will accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030.
Being a member of ECOSOC will enhance Bangladesh’s visibility and participation in policy formulation and various UN forums, commissions, committees, executive boards, and regional platforms like UN-ESCAP. This membership will also allow Bangladesh to share its best development practices globally.
Currently, Bangladesh holds the presidency of the Executive Board of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS. Bangladesh’s ECOSOC membership will commence in January 2025.
