Bangladesh Seeks UNDP Assistance to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for deeper collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), urging the organization to assist Bangladesh in technology integration, particularly focusing on ethical AI implementation and combating misinformation.

The remarks came during a meeting with UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Liller, who is concluding his tenure in Bangladesh, reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh’s newly formed government.

During the talks, State Minister Islam emphasized the importance of revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an organization that Bangladesh helped establish. She specifically encouraged UNDP to expand its young political delegates program to include SAARC nations and to increase engagement with women entrepreneurs across the region.

The discussions also addressed Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, a significant economic milestone for the nation that will bring both opportunities and challenges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that continued collaboration with UNDP will be crucial during this transition period.

Islam expressed gratitude for UNDP’s technical assistance during Bangladesh’s recent general elections, particularly highlighting the organization’s help in registering 5.8 million new voters. This support contributed to the electoral process that established the current government.

The State Minister articulated the government’s “Bangladesh First” vision and expressed eagerness to strengthen cooperation with UNDP to achieve the country’s socio-economic objectives. This approach aligns with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s development agenda, which focuses on continuing Bangladesh’s remarkable economic growth trajectory while addressing persistent challenges like inequality and climate vulnerability.

Islam acknowledged UNDP’s longstanding contributions to Bangladesh across multiple sectors, including governance improvement, trade and investment promotion, climate action and adaptation initiatives, and poverty alleviation programs. These efforts have helped Bangladesh make significant strides in human development indicators over the past decade.

The focus on technology integration, particularly ethical AI implementation, reflects Bangladesh’s growing digital economy. The country has made substantial progress in its “Digital Bangladesh” initiative launched in 2009, but now faces new challenges related to technological governance, cybersecurity, and the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies.

The call to combat misinformation and disinformation comes at a critical time when many developing nations are struggling with the proliferation of false information across digital platforms. Bangladesh has experienced firsthand how misinformation can fuel social unrest, making this collaboration particularly relevant.

Bangladesh’s interest in revitalizing SAARC activities signals a renewed push for regional cooperation at a time when geopolitical tensions in South Asia have limited the effectiveness of the regional body. SAARC, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, has faced operational challenges in recent years due to political differences among member states.

The meeting underscores the importance of international partnerships as Bangladesh navigates complex development challenges, including its upcoming LDC graduation scheduled for 2026. This transition will gradually phase out certain international support measures and preferential trade arrangements that Bangladesh has relied upon, making strategic partnerships with organizations like UNDP increasingly valuable.

As Bangladesh continues its development journey, the collaboration with UNDP represents an important avenue for technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilization to address persistent development challenges while leveraging new opportunities in technology, regional cooperation, and sustainable development.