Dhaka: Adviser to the Prime Minister on the Ministry of Public Administration, Md Ismail Zabihullah, has urged for unified efforts from the government, NGOs, local government institutions, development partners, and field administration in a bid to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the established deadline. He articulated this call to action during a plenary session titled ‘Reflection on SDG Localization and SDG Village Piloting Programme’ held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC).
According to United News of Bangladesh, the event was moderated by Dr Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary) of the General Economics Division (GED), and featured presentations from representatives of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), GED, and UNDP. These presentations focused on SDG localisation, data management, the three SDG pilot village programs, and insights garnered from two selected villages.
Professor Dr S M Abdul-Awal, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister’s Office, also addressed the session, highlighting Bangladesh’s strong track record in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Zabihullah expressed optimism that Bangladesh could achieve the SDGs by leveraging its experience, institutional capacity, and coordinated efforts.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation between development partners and the government, noting that Bangladesh’s partners trust the country’s implementation efficiency and repayment capacity. Zabihullah also linked the implementation of SDGs to the government’s election manifesto, suggesting that fulfilling the SDGs aligns closely with political commitments made to the public.
Zabihullah praised the pilot initiative for SDG localisation in selected villages, viewing these as ‘laboratories’ to test development interventions at the grassroots level before broader application. He advocated for including a village from an underprivileged char area in the pilot program to address the unique challenges faced by disadvantaged communities.
Highlighting the ultimate goal of development, Zabihullah stated that its success should be measured by the impact on people’s daily lives rather than through large infrastructure projects or economic metrics. He urged local government officials and institutions to work collaboratively with NGOs and stakeholders for effective SDG implementation.
Additionally, Principal Coordinator Dr S M Abdul-Awal underscored the necessity for long-term, people-centric policies to tackle socio-economic challenges and ensure sustainable development. He cited ongoing initiatives like the canal excavation program and the government’s Family Card initiative as examples of sustainable policy actions.
During the session, discussions also included the experiences, challenges, and prospects of SDG localisation and the SDG Village Piloting Programme, with participation from lawmakers, senior government officials, and representatives from various sectors.