Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, spoke at the ECOSOC Special Meeting on Financial Integrity at United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh has called for stronger international cooperation to curb illicit financial flows and ensure the return of stolen assets, saying recovered funds are vital for development, public welfare and rebuilding trust in public institutions.

Speaking at the ECOSOC Special Meeting on Financial Integrity at United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said the July 2024 mass uprising renewed public expectations for integrity, transparency and accountability in public affairs, said a press release received here today. 

He observed that so-called “mega projects” often deliver limited benefits to ordinary people while creating opportunities for corruption and the diversion of public resources to offshore safe havens.

Expressing concern over slow and fragmented global cooperation on asset recovery, the ambassador urged fairer access to relevant information, enhanced transparency and meaningful partnerships to ensure stolen assets are returned to their legitimate owners.

Referring to outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, he underscored the need to translate political commitments into concrete implementation so recovered funds can be channelled into schools, hospitals, social protection and strengthening domestic economies.