New York, 4 February 2026: Bangladesh called for stronger international cooperation to curb illicit financial flows and ensure the return of stolen assets to countries of origin, stressing that these resources are essential for development and public welfare.  Speaking at the ECOSOC Special Meeting on Financial Integrity at UN Headquarters today, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, noted that the July 2024 mass uprising renewed public expectations for integrity, transparency and accountability in public affairs. He also highlighted that so-called “mega projects” often bring limited benefit to ordinary people, while creating opportunities for corruption and the diversion of public money to safe havens abroad.

 Noting with concern the slow and fragmented international cooperation on stolen asset recovery, Ambassador Chowdhury urged fairer access to relevant information, greater transparency, and meaningful partnership to return stolen assets to their legitimate owners.  Referring to the landmark outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Ambassador Chowdhury emphasized translating this political momentum into tangible implementation so that recovered funds can be used for schools, hospitals, social protection, and strengthening economies from within.