A/HRC/55/13 8. Bangladesh aimed to achieve a knowledge-based “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 and a prosperous and climate-resilient delta by 2100, by ensuring sustainable economic growth, women’s empowerment and equal opportunities for all. 9. Notable achievements included a reduction in the poverty headcount ratio from 41.5 per cent in 2006 to 18.7 per cent in 2022, and in the extreme poverty headcount ratio from 25.1 per cent to 5.6 per cent. Per capita income had tripled in a decade, with the gross domestic product (GDP) reaching $460 billion, making Bangladesh the twenty-fifth largest economy in terms of GDP based on purchasing power parity and the thirty-fifth largest economy by nominal GDP globally, according to the International Monetary Fund. The country sought to address the Rohingya crisis and contribute to global human rights efforts while advancing its economic and social development goals. 10. Ranked fifth globally and first in South Asia in terms of resilience to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Bangladesh had achieved full vaccination of members of its target population at no cost to them, despite severe resource constraints. As for financial and other incentives, the Government allocated 4 per cent of GDP, totalling more than $14.6 billion, through 28 packages to benefit 73 million people, emphasizing the connection to human rights. 11. Since the previous review cycle, Bangladesh had closely collaborated with United Nations human rights mechanisms, having submitted its initial report under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2019 and engaged with the Committee against Torture and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The fact that Bangladesh had hosted 10 visits by seven special procedure mandate holders and five visits by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar had showcased the nation’s commitment to human rights. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had visited in August 2022, the first official visit by any United Nations human rights chief, with Bangladesh pledging continued cooperation. 12. Under the current Prime Minister, there had been a notable improvement in political space for opposition parties in parliament, with the granting of maximum liberty and chairmanship positions, contrary to past practices. In response to recommendations from previous review cycles on accountability of law enforcement agencies, Bangladesh maintained a zero-tolerance policy, conducting thorough investigations and implementing stringent measures. 13. A harmonious coexistence of people from diverse religions, races and ethnic backgrounds characterized the social fabric in Bangladesh, with legislative and policy measures formulated to protect minorities. The commitment to implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was evidenced in the reconstitution of the Accord implementation committee in 2018, which had resulted in the implementation of 65 out of 72 clauses, the partial implementation of three and ongoing efforts towards implementing the remaining four. 14. The Constitution guaranteed freedom of opinion and speech, and effective measures had been taken by the Government to ensure freedom of expression, both online and offline, and freedom of the press and media. The vibrant media landscape included 39 television channels, 576 daily newspapers, 182 online portals of daily newspaper, 2,328 local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 267 international NGOs, which operated without government restriction or censorship. 15. In 2023, Bangladesh was recognized by the World Economic Forum in its Global Gender Gap Report as one of only two countries globally in which women had held the highest political positions for longer than men. Women’s empowerment and gender equality, integral to the Prime Minister’s 10 special initiatives, remained central to national development. 16. The Government had demonstrated its commitment to the rights of women and children by banning corporal punishment in all educational institutions and by implementing the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against Women and Children 2018–2030 and GE.23-24573 3