Bangladesh underscored the importance of reforming the international financial architecture to respond effectively to the financing gaps for development, debt burden, and other emerging complex development challenges, being faced by LDCs and other developing countries.

This was stated at the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) on 23 October in Geneva, Switzerland.

With the adoption of the Geneva Consensus, the 16th session of the UNCTAD16 came to an end on 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva at midnight.

Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD from 20-23 October 2025, the Conference convened Ministers of Trade and Economy, leaders of international organizations, representatives of civil society, the private sector, youth, and renowned experts to engage in high-level dialogue on global trends and policy perspectives on trade, finance and debt, investment, development and the digital economy.

Mentionable, held every four years since 1964, the quadrennial conference is UNCTAD’s highest decision-making body.

Held with the theme “Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development”, the Ministerial was convened to outline a global vision for addressing current economic challenges.

The outcome document, Geneva Consensus, set the organization's work priorities for the next four years.

During the general debate and other ministerial meetings, Bangladesh underscored the importance of reforming the international financial architecture to respond effectively to the financing gaps for development, debt burden, and other emerging complex development challenges, being faced by LDCs and other developing countries.

The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva was actively engaged as a member of G77 & China Group as well as the LDC Group from the very beginning of the drafting process of the Geneva Consensus.

At the initiative of the Permanent Mission in Geneva, after rounds of negotiation, the Geneva Consensus finally adopted the text highlighting the importance of continued support to graduating LDCs after their graduation.

It also calls for the continuation of the necessary support measures for the graduating LDCs to ensure their smooth transition. It mandated the UNCTAD to create a special Graduating Support Programme for the graduating LDCs.

Besides, the Mission also played an important role in strengthening the outcome on the issue of technology transfer, enhancing the production capacities by LDCs, increasing the foreign direct investment, bridging the digital divide and tackling the challenges of climate change, among others.

Abdullah Bin Mahabub (First Secretary-Political), Masud Parvege (First Secretary-Political), and Selim Hossain (Counsellor-Commerce), from the Mission played active roles during the negotiation and adoption of the Geneva Consensus.

A Bangladesh delegation led by Commerce Secretary Mr. Mahbubur Rahman attended the Conference.

During the Conference, he participated in the general debate, ministerial meetings of country groups, round table discussion, and a panel discussion. The Commerce Secretary also held bilateral meetings with the UNCTAD Secretary General Rebecca Grynspan and OHRLLS’s High Representative, Under Secretary General, Rabab Fatima, among others.