Bangladesh as a Partner Country

Bangladesh is one of the world’s fastest growing developing nations with a sustained positive economic outlook. From being one of the poorest nations at constitution in 1971, Bangladesh reached lower-middle income status in 2015 and is now on track to graduate from the UN's Least Developed Countries (LDC) list in 2026 – a recognition of the sustained developmental successes that Bangladesh has achieved over the past few decades.

Bangladesh is at the same time one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the impacts of global warming and climate change, and it is primarily the most vulnerable people who still struggle to see socio-economic progress and who are expected to be hit the hardest by climate change. The UN estimates that one in seven Bangladeshis may experience climate-induced displacement by 2050.

In taking forward 50 years of partnership with Bangladesh, Denmark will focus on a green, socially sustainable economic transition, while reducing inequality. It will also contribute to the resilience of vulnerable communities living with severe livelihood risks or humanitarian needs due to climate change, conflict and marginalisation.

Against this backdrop, Denmark’s ‘Bangladesh Strategic Framework 2022-2028’ partnership will contribute to Denmark’s ambitions in the Sustainable Development Goals’ and climate agenda, while simultaneously focusing on growth, equity and environmental protection. An important element towards ensuring a resilient, prosperous and socially-just future for Bangladesh will be to pursue a role for responsible private sector investments in the country.

The overall vision of the Danish engagement in Bangladesh 2022-2028 will be pursued through two strategic objectives for the period, namely
• Promote a green and socially sustainable economic transition
• Reduce inequality and improve social cohesion and resilience in fragile communities

These strategic objectives will be complemented by cross-cutting priorities such as the preservation of democracy and human rights, empowerment of youth, and improving gender equality, specifically the protection of women’s and girl’s rights.

The BSF has four main development engagements consisting of:
- HYSAWA – Inclusive Climate Adaptation for Resilient Host Communities (ICAR)
- UNDP – Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC)
- ILO – Advancing Decent Work
- IFC – Bangladesh Climate Advisory Partnership