United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Wednesday highlighted their six priorities in the year 2025, including supporting preparations for ‘free, fair, and credible’ elections in Bangladesh.

"Our 2025 priorities include supporting Bangladesh’s smooth transition strategy for LDC graduation and supporting preparations for free, fair and credible elections," she said.

Lewis said strengthening national institutions through reform commissions; scaling climate finance and inclusive green development; accelerating gender equality and social justice; and mobilising innovative finance for the SDGs through public-private partnerships are among the priorities for them in the year 2025.

Speaking at the ‘DCAB Talk’ at the Jatiya Press Club, the UNRC said they mobilised technical expertise in key areas -- electoral reform, transitional justice and police reform.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event where DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke.

Lewis said electoral preparedness was strengthened through technical advisory support and planning and transitional justice advanced via an inter-agency mission that engaged survivors and civil society to co-design a locally relevant process.

"Our support to national reform commissions emphasized technical assistance, global best practices, and inclusive dialogue—ensuring the voices of women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and marginalized communities were heard," she said.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its fact-finding report shared recommendations in some specific areas, including accountability and justice, police and security; civic space, political system and economic governance.

Prof Yunus set for UK visit from June 10-13 to strengthen trade ties

The UN human rights office recommended Bangladesh to refrain from political party bans undermining democracy and disenfranchising part of the electorate.

In the fact-finding report, the UN observed that political party bans would undermine a return to a ‘genuine multiparty democracy’ and effectively disenfranchise a large part of the Bangladeshi electorate.

A journalist drew her attention regarding the recommendations made by the UN fact-finding mission against banning any political party and the government’s decision to ban activities of Awami League and sought her comments on that.

In reply, she said it is not a question for her, but for the government. “We made our recommendations because participation and inclusion of all political parties is something that prevents a very polarised position, potentially unrest.”

Lewis, who brings more than 20 years of experience in international development, peace-building, and humanitarian affairs to the position also said, "I think the circumstances need to be looked at....the decision of the government needs to be looked at in the context of the country. I do not have anything more to say. It is very much a political decision and again a decision of the government."

The UN Resident Coordinator highly appreciated reform efforts undertaken by the interim government, noting that the process is very robust.

The UNRC, however, said she is not going to comment on the political positioning of Awami League or BNP, stressing that the UN is not involved in politics.

Prof Yunus seeks global backing to tackle Rohingya aid crisis

Extending UN's support for a credible and peaceful election, Lewis said for the UN inclusive election means that every segment of the society should be able to vote and everyone should have access and ability to participate in the election.

“Inclusion for the UN is very specifically about every Bangladeshi having a voice,” said the UN diplomat.

Truth & Healing Process

Responding to a question on the truth and healing process, Lewis said, "Our advice on truth and healing would be very strong national consultation with the people of Bangladesh to hear their voices and thoughts and how they see the future."

She, however, said it is very difficult to say what path should be taken until the consultation with the people in the country is finalised. "There needs to be a lot more consultations about how to heal from what happened over July-August."

The UN Human Rights Office will soon establish an office in Bangladesh to support the country that's going through reforms in various sectors including political, bureaucratic, police and judicial sectors.

"We understand from the government that a MoU is finalised. We are waiting to sign it soon. That means we will be able to open an Office of the Human Commissioner for Human Rights soon to support a lot of processes that are underway," Lewis said.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission last year submitted a report on the human rights violations highlighting the events of July and August last year.

The report said about 1400 people were killed during the July-August uprising and in the aftermath.

Since becoming a member of the United Nations in 1974, Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated strong support for peace and international cooperation.

Bangladesh is recognised as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, with thousands of courageous men and women serving in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

The UNRC said in 2024, Bangladesh faced a historic political transition alongside devastating climate-induced disasters—cyclone Remal and three flash floods—that affected over 18 million people.

"These overlapping crises tested institutions and communities alike. Yet, amid adversity, the strength of the Bangladeshi people shone through, not with despair, but with determination and hope," Lewis said.

The United Nations in Bangladesh adapted swiftly to support the interim government, said the UN diplomat, adding that the UN country team worked cohesively, guided by principles, aligned with national priorities and focused on the people they serve.

A milestone was the interim government’s invitation to OHCHR for an independent fact-finding mission following the July–August unrest, she said.

Rohingyas: UN calls on donors to step forward with more support

The High Commissioner’s October visit enabled deep engagement with reform commissions, civil society and students.

The resulting report, released in February, offered vital recommendations to strengthen accountability and rebuild institutional trust, Lewis said, adding that the UN stands ready to support their implementation.

She said the UN has long supported families of victims of enforced disappearances. “Following the unrest, we facilitated public sessions for families to share information and document cases. We also supported the interim government in establishing a new commission of inquiry and signing the Convention on Enforced Disappearances.”

Since August 2024, Lewis said the UN has proven to be a trusted and reliable partner. “Even as we addressed immediate shocks, our commitment to long-term, inclusive development remained steadfast.”

Sharing the 2024 Country Results Report, marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s UN membership, the UNRC said they delivered USD 215 million in development programming - USD 72 million supported universal health coverage and maternal and primary healthcare while USD 39 million went to climate action and resilience.

On the other hand, USD 30 million supported economic development, governance, and gender equality.

With 22 active joint programmes—more than any other Asia-Pacific country—Bangladesh is a regional leader in UN coherence and integrated support, said the UNRC.

“We champion an integrated approach to sustainable development, focusing on climate resilience, economic transformation and demographic change,” she said.

Lewis said they support a just and green transition, clean energy investments, sustainable urban development and unlocking climate finance through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF).

“Human development is central to our mission. We support government leadership in health, education, and social protection, while prioritizing gender equality as both a right and a driver of progress,” she said.

Lewis said they also support national migration policies, strengthening data systems and services for internal and cross-border migrants.

Aligned with Bangladesh’s economic transformation goals, the UN has supported labour market reforms.

“Our Advancing Decent Work initiative equips youth with future-ready skills and promotes workforce inclusion for persons with disabilities and marginalized groups,” said the UNRC.

She said they launched the Employment Injury Scheme for garment workers—now covering commuting-related injuries—providing safety nets for thousands of families. Reintegration support for returning migrants has expanded through gender-responsive Migrant Welfare Centres offering holistic services.

“These efforts are interconnected. Economic transformation must be inclusive and climate-smart,” she said, adding that gender equality must underpin all policies.” Human development must be rooted in rights, equity, and dignity.”

Lewis said Bangladesh is among the world’s most climate-affected countries and in 2024, the UN mobilized USD 44.5 million for disaster response, reaching 1.7 million people with food, healthcare, water, sanitation, livelihoods, and shelter.

“In May, we approved USD 10 million for anticipatory action to support communities before floods and cyclones. This means that assistance can be provided before floods arrive,” she said, adding that this is the biggest anticipatory action framework in the world, making Bangladesh a global leader.

Last week, UN Peacekeepers Day was marked in Dhaka. The UNRC said Bangladesh is the third-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, with over 200,000 personnel deployed since 1988.

Today, 5,818 Bangladeshi peacekeepers serve in 10 missions worldwide. “We deeply appreciate Bangladesh’s commitment to peacekeeping and human rights,” she said.

Echoing the Secretary-General’s recent visit, Lewis said they honour the dedication and sacrifices of Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving in some of the world’s most challenging environments—from Somalia to the DRC, Liberia to Sudan.

2024 also marked the launch of the UN80 Initiative, a bold vision to revitalise the UN and make it more fit-for-purpose.

“It reaffirms the importance of multilateralism and collective action. Bangladesh plays an important role as a stalwart of multilateralism. The Initiative aims to strengthen the UN’s three pillars—peace and security, human rights, and development—while enhancing efficiency and effectiveness,” Lewis said.

This week, she met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to human and economic development, governance, human rights and gender equality.

“I reiterated our support for the Rohingya response, especially ahead of the High-Level Conference in September,” Lewis said.

In the face of complexity, she said the UN stands for human dignity and rights in Bangladesh. “We pledge to support the shared promise of peace, prosperity, and sustainability—for every person.”