Comprehensive strategy sought to implement SDGs
UNB
Experts and prominent citizens at a dialogue yesterday stressed the need for formulating a comprehensive homegrown strategy with the coordinated efforts of policymakers and civil society members for successful implementation of the SDGs, reports UNB.
They also identified some challenges like ensuring good governance, building democratic institutions, enhancing institutional capacity, strengthening local government bodies and checking corruption and creating employment for the implementation of the SDGs by 2030.
Citizens Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, an initiative that includes over 30 civil society organisations aiming to contribute to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), arranged the dialogue at Brac Centre Inn. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) is acting as the secretariat of the platform.
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, senior secretary and member General Economics Division (GED) Planning Commission Prof Dr Shamsul Alam, ex-caretaker government advisers Syed Manzur Elahi, and Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir, Sujan general secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder,
among others, spoke at the programme held with eminent citizen Prof Anisuzzaman in the chair.
CPD research fellow Towfiqul Islam Khan presented the keynote paper while Citizens Platform convener and CPD distinguished fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya moderated the programme. The dialogue mainly focused on Goal 16 as it was included in the SDGs to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
Dr Anisuzzaman said it is necessary to take coordinated efforts by both the government and citizens to implement the SDGs. He hoped that the Citizens Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh will help the government implement the SDGs with their views and participation.
Though there are differences of opinions about the perception of good governance, the noted educationist said democratic institutions must be built properly strengthening the local government bodies to implement the SDGs.
He emphasised building a corruption free-society, saying many good initiatives turn futile only because of corruption. We should also take proper steps for ensuring human rights, justice and the rule of lawit wont be possible to reach the desired goal without eradicating poverty and generating employment.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said it is very encouraging that both the government and civil society members are serious about implementing the SDGs from the very beginning.
He thinks the rule of law, enhancing the capacity of institutions and the availability of information are vital elements for the timely implementation of the SDGs.
To ensure the rule of law, the former caretaker government adviser said the government should give the opposition and those hold alternative views a space to express their opinions alongside refraining from imposing public representatives at various levels, including union parishad, from the centre as happened during the recent local body polls.
He suggested evaluating the merits and skills instead of political affiliation in government jobs for enhancing institutional capability. Referring to recent violence and extremism in the country, Dr Zillur said, Political parties and common people will have to come forward with united efforts to solve the problem. He also urged the government to be aware of illogical public expenditure as it helps give corruption an institutional recognition.
Syed Manzur Elahi said creating jobs and enhancing skills of human resources and increasing investment are the main challenges to implement the SDGs. Around 14 lakh people, including 90 percent unskilled ones, join the manpower market every year. Mustafa Kamal said their government is taking all-out steps to implement the SDGs before the stipulated timeline with the constructive engagement of citizens and well-thought-out plans.
