Bangladesh will require an additional $421 billion in financing between fiscal years 2025-26 and 2029-30 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new government assessment presented at a national workshop in Dhaka on Sunday.
The estimate was unveiled at the National Validation Workshop on the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and SDG Financing, organised by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh.
The workshop reviewed findings of the Development Finance Assessment, a global framework designed to align financing policies, institutions and financial flows with national development priorities, and discussed an updated financing strategy for achieving the SDGs.
Speaking as the chief guest, ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said Bangladesh faces significant challenges in achieving the SDGs by 2030 because of a widening financing gap, limited time and an uncertain global economic environment.
Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that the country could make meaningful progress through clear priorities, coordinated action, stronger governance and effective implementation.
UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak stressed the importance of mobilising more domestic resources as traditional sources of development finance become increasingly constrained.
She said Bangladesh has an opportunity to increase investment in the SDGs by raising the tax-to-GDP ratio and encouraging greater private sector investment aligned with sustainable development objectives.
Additional ERD Secretary A.H.M. Jahangir, who chaired the event, highlighted the need for an integrated financing strategy as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from the UN’s Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne said closing the financing gap would require stronger policies as well as broader partnerships involving government agencies, development partners, the private sector and civil society.
Presenting the assessment, Dhaka University economics professor Selim Raihan said the additional financing requirement for FY2026-FY2030 would need to be met largely through domestic public and private resources, supplemented by climate finance and international partnerships.
The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, development partners, banks, academia and civil society to review the findings and discuss Bangladesh’s financing roadmap for achieving the SDGs.
Officials said feedback from the consultation would be incorporated before finalising both the Development Finance Assessment and the updated SDG Financing Strategy.