Bangladesh has secured the adoption of a landmark resolution on sustainable bioeconomy at the 82nd session of the UNESCAP, underscoring its continued role in shaping a forward-looking regional development agenda in line with the present government’s vision for sustainable, innovation-driven, and inclusive growth, a press release said.
The resolution, titled “Supporting the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy in countries in Asia and the Pacific,” was sponsored by Bangladesh and adopted by consensus, reflecting strong support from member States across the region. This is the first Resolution sponsored by Bangladesh that has been adopted by the UN system at the initiative of the newly elected government. This comes at a critical moment when Bangladesh is vying for the Presidency of the 81st session of UN General Assembly through the candidature of the Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, said a press release of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok.
It aligns with Bangladesh’s national priorities of promoting sustainable, innovation-driven and inclusive growth, including through circular economy approaches, resource efficiency and the application of science, innovation and technology.
The resolution calls for strengthened regional cooperation in knowledge-sharing, capacity- building, investment mobilization, and the development of sustainable bioeconomy value chains across the Asia-Pacific region.
Bangladesh has been continuously engaging on bioeconomy issues at UNESCAP, including through a series of side events organized by the Embassy in Bangkok. Speaking at the latest side event during the session, Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP, Minister for Science and Technology and Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, emphasized, “The bioeconomy is not just an emerging concept; it is a practical pathway for the Asia-Pacific to address climate challenges, strengthen resilience and ensure inclusive growth.”
Bangladesh delegation in Bangkok has worked together with FAO, ESCAP and UNEP, among others, to prepare the ground for the resolution’s adoption. The adoption reflects Bangladesh’s proactive engagement at the regional level and has received broad support from co-sponsoring countries, including India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Armenia, China, Bhutan, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy pathways.
The session also adopted the “Baku-Bangkok Declaration on Promoting Social Development for Advancing Societies for All Ages in Asia and the Pacific,” reaffirming regional commitment to inclusive and sustainable social development. The declaration highlights key priorities including poverty eradication, decent work, social protection, gender equality and support for vulnerable groups, while calling for strengthened regional cooperation to build societies for all ages across the Asia-Pacific region.
