Monday, April 29, 2024
Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan, serving as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) goodwill ambassador in Bangladesh, recently had a significant encounter with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden during the latter's four-day visit to Bangladesh.
The Crown Princess, also a goodwill ambassador for UNDP, was accompanied by Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and UNDP Assistant Secretary General Ulrika Modeer.
Sharing glimpses of their meeting on social media, Jaya Ahsan expressed her pleasure at meeting HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and emphasized the importance of continuing their partnership to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Jaya Ahsan was reinstated as UNDP's goodwill ambassador in Bangladesh in February 2023 and will continue in this role until January 2025. During her tenure, she aims to advocate for important issues such as sustainable development goals to mobilize support and raise awareness to achieve the goals by 2030.
In an interview with The Daily Star, Jaya Ahsan expressed her honour at being able to continue her work with UNDP and reiterated her commitment to advocating and mobilising action for the SDGs.
The visit marked the first time Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Bangladesh in her capacity as UNDP goodwill ambassador, focusing on learning about Bangladesh's development journey and assessing progress and challenges in implementing the SDGs, particularly in areas such as climate, gender equality, green and digital transitions, and the role of the business sector.
Sweden's longstanding development cooperation with Bangladesh, dating back to the nation's independence in 1971, was highlighted during the visit. The two countries celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations in 2022.
