United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis paid a farewell visit to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, commending his “highly successful” trip to New York during the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Lewis lauded Professor Yunus’s active participation in the 80th session of UN General Assembly last month, highlighting his bilateral meetings with over a dozen world leaders and his address at the landmark UN conference on the Rohingya crisis.

She also praised the strong display of national unity demonstrated by Bangladesh’s delegation, which, for the first time, included six leaders from major political parties.

During the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of continued collaboration, innovation and inclusive growth as Bangladesh approaches its national elections scheduled for February next year, marking a new chapter in the country’s development journey.

Reflecting on her three-and-a-half years serving Bangladesh, Lewis described it as “one of the greatest honours and privileges” of her career.

She expressed admiration for the resilience, creativity and generosity of Bangladeshi people, noting her inspiration from working alongside the government, civil society and development partners.

Lewis paid special tribute to Professor Yunus, praising his lifelong commitment to social innovation and equity.

“His leadership continues to inspire millions worldwide and shape global thinking on inclusive development,” she said.

The press release from the Chief Adviser’s office also highlighted significant milestones achieved during Lewis’s tenure under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022–2026).

The UN’s partnership with Bangladesh has focused on five strategic priorities aligned with the country’s 8th Five-Year Plan: inclusive economic development, equitable human well-being, environmental resilience, participatory governance and gender equality.

Among the landmark achievements is the establishment of a new OHCHR mission in Dhaka, enhancing UN’s human rights presence and deepening engagement on rights-based development.

The UN has also supported Bangladesh’s preparations for graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, alongside reforms in the labour, health and education sectors.

Climate action has remained a key priority, with integrated efforts aimed at boosting environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness.

Lewis further commended Bangladesh’s leadership in global initiatives such as Early Warning for All, Transforming Education and the Food Systems Summit, all of which made notable progress in 2023.

“Our partnership with Bangladesh is founded on shared values and a vision for a prosperous, climate-resilient future,” Lewis said. “We remain committed to ensuring that no one is left behind, with gender equality and human rights central to all our efforts.”