Gwyn Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in driving comprehensive and sustainable development within the nation. She emphasized the necessity for innovation, collaboration, and financial support from the private sector to aid the government in attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh by 2030.
During the inaugural formal meeting, the UN Resident Coordinator warmly welcomed the establishment of the Bangladesh Private Sector Working Committee (BPSWC) along with its subcommittees. These thematic groups, aligned with the country’s SDGs, aim to expedite the implementation of sustainable development objectives through close collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations, and both national and international development organizations.
The committee’s first working meeting, held on Wednesday (August 9), saw the formal selection of the group members. The event was attended by around fifty heads of Bangladeshi private companies, representatives from development organizations, and various UN agency representatives.
The proceedings commenced with opening remarks from key figures including Md. Jashim Uddin, the President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) and Chairman of BPSWC, as well as Ardashir Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF). Their comments highlighted the significance of the private sector’s contribution to an inclusive and sustainable development approach.
The UN Resident Coordinator, in her address, commended the initiative and urged active and coordinated involvement from the private sector in achieving the SDGs in Bangladesh. She expressed her warm welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Bangladesh Private Sector Working Committee and its newly formed Thematic SDG Working Groups. These groups, comprising five divisions, are designed to enhance private sector engagement and expedite efforts toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Launched in May 2023 by FBCCI, BEF, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh, the establishment of these groups stands as one of the committee’s initial endeavors. The Bangladesh Private Sector Working Committee was instituted to facilitate collaboration between the country’s private sector, the Government of Bangladesh, the UN, and both national and international development organizations. Its primary focus is on critical challenges like job creation, youth employment, and fostering conducive working environments—all essential components in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
The meeting also saw the participation of UN representatives in Bangladesh, including notable figures from various UN agencies aligned with the UN’s 2022-26 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Notable names such as Gitanjali Singh from UN Women Bangladesh, Tuomo Poutiainen from ILO Bangladesh, Van Nguyen from UNDP, Emma Brigham from UNICEF, Nur Khondaker from FAO Bangladesh, and Dr. Vibhavendra S Raghuvanshi from UNFPA Bangladesh attended the event, demonstrating a unified commitment to advancing sustainable development.
