Bangladesh has called for a surge in global cooperation to eliminate the digital divide and establish resilient data systems worldwide.

Addressing the 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD59) on Wednesday, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, emphasized that international collaboration is the only way to ensure technology serves as a bridge rather than a barrier to progress.

Ambassador Chowdhury underscored the urgent need for strengthening research and data frameworks, advocating for enhanced technology transfer and capacity building to support developing nations.

He specifically called for "promoting the ethical use of emerging technologies with strong data privacy safeguards," highlighting that as the world becomes more interconnected, the protection of individual data remains paramount.

A central theme of the statement was the necessity of investing in digital literacy, particularly for women and youth.

The Ambassador noted that despite global advancements, nearly one-third of the world’s population remains offline, a gap that severely limits access to essential services.

He argued that bridging this gap is critical to achieving both the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) objectives and the broader Sustainable Development Goals.

During his address, the Ambassador highlighted Bangladesh’s domestic achievements as a model for progress. He detailed the nation's success in reducing maternal mortality, expanding immunization coverage, and strengthening community-based healthcare.

He further noted the country's proactive use of digital health solutions, stating that "telemedicine and real-time disease surveillance" have become integral to the national health strategy.

While celebrating these milestones, Ambassador Chowdhury was candid about the obstacles ahead.

He acknowledged that rapid urbanization, the escalating impacts of climate change, and the rise of non-communicable diseases continue to pose significant challenges to sustainable development.

He concluded by reiterating that the future of global stability rests on the intentional investment in youth, skill development, and innovation to navigate these emerging global crises.

With Inputs from UNB