Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has called for stronger United Nations support to ensure Bangladesh's smooth and sustainable graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advance the country's reform agenda.

During separate meetings at the UN Headquarters with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UN-ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja, Dr Titumir reiterated Bangladesh's request for a three-year extension of the LDC graduation preparatory period.

He said the extension was needed to ensure macroeconomic stability, effectively implement the country's Smooth Transition Strategy and secure sustainable and irreversible graduation, according to a media release issued on Tuesday.

Dr Titumir said the government's democratic mandate had strengthened its reform agenda, with a focus on institutional reform, accountable governance and people-centred development.

He also highlighted the government's 3R Strategy—Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction for Acceleration—as its roadmap for restoring economic stability and advancing long-term development.

Li Junhua reaffirmed UN DESA's support for Bangladesh's development journey, pledged cooperation on the LDC transition process and praised the government's Universal Social Security Protection System.

Alisjahbana reaffirmed UN-ESCAP's support for Bangladesh's LDC transition, regional connectivity and climate resilience.

Wignaraja reiterated UNDP's commitment to supporting democratic governance, institutional reforms and Bangladesh's sustainable development priorities.