UNDP
Liller vows to continue UNDP’s full support to Bangladesh
Newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative for Bangladesh Stefan Liller on Tuesday vowed to continue UNDP’s full support to the government of Bangladesh to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, graduate to a middle-income economy and tackle the adversities presented by climate change.
During his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Liller stressed the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and UNDP since the independence of the country.
He presented his credentials to the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister welcomed Liller and received his credentials issued by UNDP’s Administrator Achim Steiner.
In his role, Liller is responsible for UNDP’s activities in the country, closely collaborating with national stakeholders and international partners to support Bangladesh’s national priorities in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In line with government priorities and in the spirit of “Leaving No One Behind”, UNDP’s programme in Bangladesh promotes women empowerment, good governance, reducing inequalities, youth employment, climate action, environmental protection and energy efficiency.
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Japan, UNDP to help Bangladesh manage infectious health care waste
The government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday launched a new project to address the unprecedented rise in infectious health care waste caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that is overwhelming waste treatment facilities.
The project will support the national health agencies and other key stakeholders in Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives.
The two-year $11 million ‘Project for the Improvement of Infectious Waste Management’ was officially launched at a signing ceremony in New York City, said the UN agency.
Ambassador Takeshi Osuga, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations and Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at UNDP attended the signing ceremony.
“The government of Japan is proud to support Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives to establish sustainable solutions for health care waste management, that will provide long-term benefits for health care workers, patients and the wider community, as well as contribute to protecting human security,” said the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations.
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Improperly managed health care waste is recognized as a significant source of pollutants.
For example, disposing untreated health care waste in open dumps and landfill sites can cause soil and water contamination, while inadequate incineration of medical waste can lead to the release of persistent organic pollutants.
Many low- and middle-income countries have historically had limited public and private investments in sustainable waste treatment systems, and now find themselves in the dire situation of mounting health care waste that is beyond their waste management capacity.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present compound challenges for countries on their path to recovery and sustainable development,” said Kanni Wignaraja.
“The threat posed by inadequate health care waste management systems is one such challenge that requires urgent attention, so we can better safeguard our health as well as that of the environment.”
The project will support key stakeholders in the three countries to deploy locally appropriate health care waste management practices and technologies to help protect human health, and minimize the pandemic's environmental and social impacts.
Health facilities in 26 sub-districts in Bangladesh, in 15 districts across 4 cities in Bhutan, and 6 atolls in the Maldives will benefit from the support.
Health care workers will receive training on properly treating and handling infectious waste, which requires special treatment processes to ensure there is no risk of onward disease transmission to patients, hospital staff and nearby communities. Health facilities will also be equipped with specialized health care waste disposal equipment and digital management systems for improved coordination.
UNDP’s work in health is guided by its Strategic Plan and HIV and Health Strategy, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Through a systems and governance approach, and in collaboration with other UN agencies and partners, UNDP helps countries to deliver more strongly integrated health and development solutions that have equity, resilience and sustainability at their core.
UNDP, Grameenphone, BIDA join hands to create economic opportunities for youth
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Grameenphone on Sunday jointly launched graduate employment in the private sector programme under an alliance called "FutureNation" to create economic opportunities for all by 2041.
Future Nation, an alliance of the private, public and development sectors, is created to accelerate the nation's future economic growth by enhancing the skills and potential of youth by identifying opportunities for development, employment, entrepreneurship, and investment in the post-pandemic situation.
Salman F Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister; Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for ICT; Md Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, BIDA; Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Strategic Advisor, UNDP; Mohsina Yasmin, Executive Member, International Investment Promotion, BIDA Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative, UNDP; and Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone; joined the launching ceremony held in the city.
While speaking at the event as the chief guest Salman Rahman said after realizing a ‘Digital Bangladesh’, the government is now working to establish a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ to be successfully involved in the 4IR, engaging to create youth employment through various ICT initiatives, a pre-condition for sustaining Bangladesh’s prosperity.
“I wholeheartedly applaud this initiative, ‘FutureNation by Grameenphone, UNDP and BIDA,” he said.
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Palak said Bangladesh is uniquely positioned to potentially benefit from a demographic dividend but to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend stable employment opportunities and equipping the youth with digital competencies is pivotal.
“We must collaborate to reduce the disparity between the urban and rural areas by transforming the country into a digitally connected society. FutureNation is one of this co-creation,” he said.
Radwan Mujib in a video message shared his vision about FutureNation and said FutureNation with its advanced grooming method and more realistic assessment procedure, will help endow the youth with employable skills.
“I am delighted to see this coalition support the very critical area of building skills through their technology and innovation. Such an initiative will be impactful to upskill the youth and prepare them for real work,” he said.
Sudipto Mukerjee said the global job market is consistently evolving and they must ensure that youth is prepared for the new reality presented by the fast-paced economic and technological evolutions.
“The blessings of a demographic dividend do not last forever. The private, public and development sectors have to work hand in hand and accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he said.
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Jorgen C. Arentz Rostrup, EVP, Head of Asia, Telenor, in his video message said creating opportunities for youth is fundamental for any nation and it is crucial for Bangladesh, more so due to its great national ambitions and is one of the fastest growing economies.
“Grameenphone has been creating employment opportunities for the last 25 years. At Telenor, we believe strong partnerships create a stronger impact and this alliance is exemplary of that. Time is now to create new opportunities for the youth of Bangladesh.”
Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone, said at Grameenphone, they always take a youth-first approach through our tech, innovation and social impact projects.
“Today I am delighted to be a part of this collective effort- a step towards realigning the existing talent with emerging technologies, making them more cyber smart, and ultimately enabling better job opportunities and future proofing the youth of Bangladesh for the digital world."
Experts call for inclusive insurance, risk finance for all
Speakers at a workshop on Monday called upon the government, development partners and private sector for enabling an environment for inclusive insurance and risk financing for the country’s sustainable development, leaving no one behind.
The event titled ‘Inception workshop on Country Diagnostic on Inclusive Insurance and Risk Finance for Bangladesh‘ “was organized at a hotel in Dhaka, by the Financial Institutions Division (FID), Ministry of Finance, Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Sheikh Mohammad Salim Ullah, Secretary, FID, Ministry of Finance, attended the workshop as the chief guest, while Mohammad Joynul Bari, Chairman, IDRA and Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh were the special guests.
Among others, Dr. Baqui Khalily, Chairman Risk Management Committee, Bank Asia and Abdullah Harun Pasha, Additional Secretary, FID, Ministry of Finance were also present.
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Sheikh Mohammad Salim Ullah said, “There is an increasing need for decision makers to be involved in developing the insurance products. They also need to understand how climate change risks could affect their investments and how to mitigate those risks through proper planning, incentive structures and financial instruments. In this context, to achieve the mission of developing an efficient, inclusive and robust financial market and services system, FID is continuously working on many projects. Being a part of this project is another milestone for our institution to enter the groundwork in inert-related areas of insurance and risk finance. ”
A.K.M. Mamunur Rashid, Climate Change Specialist, UNDP Bangladesh set the tone of the event.
He provided a brief overview of why inclusive insurance and risk financing are essential for Bangladesh to cover the risks of the most vulnerable communities. Jan Kellett, Team Leader, Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), UNDP delivered a presentation on “Initiatives of the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility, UNDP and several best practices in the space of inclusive insurance and risk financing”.
Van Nguyen from UNDP said, “ I hope that under the leadership of FID, MoF and IDRA as the regulatory authorities, strong representation of the insurance industry and relevant key stakeholders – the country diagnostic will provide us with a clear direction for creating enabling environment for mainstreaming inclusive insurance and risk financing in the country. We are committed to continuing our support in the future to strengthen the legislative frameworks, institutional capacity and insurance industry for enhancing the resilience of the most vulnerable communities and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh.”
Dr. M. Baqui Khalily, Chairman, Risk Management Committee, Bank Asia, Nasir Uddin Ahmed, First Vice President, Bangladesh Insurance Association, Netai Dey Sarker, Director, Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bangladesh also spoke at the event.
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Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries due to its low-lying delta ecosystem that exposes the country to several disasters such as flash floods, monsoon floods, cyclones, storm surges, salinity intrusion, draught and unpredictable rainfall, said UNDP.
The government of Bangladesh (GoB) is keen to explore the insurance industry to consider it as a risk transfer mechanism. UNDP is conducting a country diagnostic that will document and assess the risks and vulnerability in Bangladesh considering the existing enabling environment and financial instruments.
The diagnostic study will highlight challenges, opportunities, and areas where UNDP can, together with partners, provide the necessary support for the government and private stakeholders to improve the enabling environment for inclusive insurance and risk financing.
UNDP, Sweden to continue partnership for women’s economic empowerment
Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh have agreed to continue their partnership to create economic opportunities for ultra-poor rural women in Bangladesh
A cost-sharing agreement was signed at the Swedish Embassy on Sunday to extend the Swedish Embassy and UNDP Bangladesh’s flagship project ‘Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO II)’ until 2025.
Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Sudipto Mukerjee and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka Christine Johansson signed the cost-sharing agreement on behalf of their respective sides to sustain their journey of empowering underprivileged women in Bangladesh.
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Christine Johansson said the Swedish Embassy has been working closely with Bangladesh. “The engagement and continuous support from the government for project SWAPNO gives us extra confidence to move forward with this phase and shows how it can be replicated for further development.”
Sudipto Mukerjee said Sweden’s collaboration with SWAPNO has been proven as an effective partnership that has brought substantial changes in the lives of rural women.
“Extension of the partnership will maximize the benefits that SWAPNO offers in other vulnerable districts of Bangladesh,” he said during the signing.
The extension of the SWAPNO project is effective from 30 June 2022.
In the earlier phase, the project has aided economically disadvantaged women in developing their talents, linking them to services and the local market, and ensuring their financial inclusion.
Realizing the success, the Embassy of Sweden has come forward to uplift 10,000 extremely poor and vulnerable women from 10 poverty-prone and climate-vulnerable districts from poverty.
According to the latest independent evaluation report of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), SWAPNO empowers women in a way that has far-reaching implications in terms of facilitating distressed women's active engagement in local development activities and offering social support and recognition.
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Among others, Ikramul H. Sohel, National Programme Officer, Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, Kajal Chatterjee, National Project Manager of SWAPNO project, were present during the signing ceremony.
UN maintains strong relationship with Bangladesh: Brandt
Executive Board President of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS Yoka Brandt has said the UN has a “strong relationship” with the government of Bangladesh and wants to further build on that to facilitate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“We are here to see how we can work together more efficiently to that end, especially as the country is poised for LDC graduation,” said Brandt, also Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to the UN.
A high-level delegation of the Executive Board of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) visited Bangladesh on a week-long mission to see the projects implemented by the UN and met the government.
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Led by the board’s President Yoka Brandt, the delegation arrived in Dhaka on June 25 and left on July 1, according to UNDP.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said the UN has been a strong development partner for Bangladesh, and this mission is giving the scope to review and evaluate areas that need to be focused.
“It is a very timely visit. The UN has been a partner of the Government and the people of Bangladesh since 1971, and this mission will allow us to take stock of where we stand and guide our future interventions,” said UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis.
UNDP, ICT Division sign deal to launch cybersecurity awareness campaign
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the ICT Division of the government of Bangladesh have signed an agreement to launch a cyberecurity campaign for the youth and children in select LDCs.
Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh and Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations on Sunday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sudipto said the first-ever government cost-sharing agreement will further strengthen UNDP's partnership with the Bangladesh government.
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"This partnership will prepare, aware, and activate the children and youth of the LDC countries to combat the future and ongoing challenges on the cyber security front," he said.
Bikarna Kumar said that under this partnership UNDP-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Award on Cyber Security Awareness would be announced to encourage and inspire the youth to combat cyber security challenges.
The ICT Division will provide US$ 5 million to implement the cyberecurity campaign for the youth and children in select LDC countries in 5 years.
Money will be raised from the "Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert" that will take place on May 6, 2022, at the Madison Square Garden in New York, where history was made in 1971.
The popular German Rock band Scorpions is set to perform at the same venue, just over 50 years after George Harrison organised a two-show Concert for Bangladesh.
Chirkutt, one of Bangladesh's most popular band is also expected to perform.
Senior officials from UNDP and ICT Division were present during the signing ceremony.
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Integrate NAP into national development planning: Speakers
Speakers at a dialogue on Mainstreaming the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) on Sunday emphasised integrating climate change adaptation into the national development planning process.
They also called for making the implementation local-led adaptation keeping in mind the local vulnerability factors.
The dialogue was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Economic Relations Division (ERD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
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Planning Minister M A Mannan spoke as the chief guest.
He assured of all possible support from the Ministry of Planning in integrating climate change adaptation in the development planning.
“The Project Executive Committees should prioritise adaptation for successful implementation of the NAP,” he said.
Deputy Minister of the MoEFCC Habibun Nahar said that the government is confident that it will be able to showcase the world the success in climate change adaptation. “NAP will be our blueprint of adaptation”.
Dr Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus, C3ER, BRAC University and Team Leader, NAP Formulation Consortium, made a presentation on mainstreaming while Malik Fida A. Khan, Executive Director, CEGIS, presented the draft NAP.
Economic Relation Division secretary Fatima Yasmin, Planning Division secretary and Member of Programming of the Planning Commission Pradip Ranjan Chakraborty, UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee were present as special guests.
MoEFCC Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal chaired the session.
Additional Secretary (Climate Change Wing) and National Project Director, NAP Md Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury said that an implementation roadmap is needed, which should be integrated in the development planning to realise the national development goals.
Dr Ainun said that NAP is complementary to the National development planning including the Delta Plan 2100, Five Year Plans to make our adaptation approach sustainable and effective.
“For successful implementation, every ministry should integrate climate change adaptation in their respective planning and financing process”.
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He emphasised making the NAP a legally binding reference for successful implementation of the NAP.
Fatima hoped that NAP will be a comprehensive strategy to adapt with the changing climate. She echoed with the need for the climate change act.
Sudipto mentioned that data management is very important in effective planning. Efforts should be there to make climate change data available for effective planning.
Pradip Ranjan said that adaptation efforts should consider the disaster impact assessment for successful planning of adaptation projects.
Md Mostafa said that for a climate-vulnerable country like Bangladesh, human displacement is a critical issue in climate change adaptation – NAP must address this issue to support the life and livelihood of the climate-vulnerable people.
According to a press release, NAP envisions reducing climate risks and vulnerability through effective adaptation strategies for fostering a resilient society ecosystem and stimulating sustainable economic growth.
In doing so, Bangladesh will materialise the NAP through the promotion of green growth strategies supported by sustainable nature-based solutions.
NAP is a locally-led process built upon ecosystem-based adaptation that will create a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
UNDP to work with BRAC for accelerating pace of poverty reduction
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and BRAC have partnered and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the effectiveness of poverty eradication and make these efforts more impactful to ensure inclusive growth for Bangladesh.Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, and Asif Saleh, Executive Director, BRAC, signed the MoU on Sunday on behalf of their respective organizations at UNDP office in the city.Under this partnership, both organizations will work together to enhance the effectiveness of the poverty eradication effort for fostering inclusive growth in Bangladesh.Evidence-based policies and programmes will be designed, and a platform will be created to further strengthen the social protection systems in Bangladesh to make sure no one is left behind, according to UNDP.
Also read: UNDP, BWJA seal deal to address, redress violence against women Signing the ceremony, Sudipto Mukerjee said the partnership will assist the government of Bangladesh to effectively identify and transfer social protection benefits to people living in extreme poverty."It will also pilot and develop holistic livelihood programmes collaboratively with different ministries of Bangladesh to ensure access to social safety net programmes and help the government in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," he said. “A timely and much-required partnership to assist the Government of Bangladesh in bridging the gaps to achieve poverty eradication and sustainable livelihoods for people living in extreme poverty by 2030”, said Asif Saleh.
Also read: Norway, UNDP continue to work together for tolerant, inclusive BangladeshHe further emphasized that this partnership will help strengthen ongoing efforts and design new joint initiatives for social protection and resilience-building as we recover and try to build back better from COVID related shocks. BRAC and UNDP have a long history of successful partnerships at both the national and global levels in poverty eradication and human development and are committed to supporting the Bangladesh government in its effort to ensure inclusive growth.
Aryan directed "PasheThakarGolpo" released
In collaboration with UNDP and managed by Asiatic Experiential Marketing Limited, Aryan directed a drama named 'PasheThakarGolpo', and the screenplay is written by talented duo Sohail Rahman & Sakhawat Hossain.
Viewers can enjoy "PasheThakarGolpo" - absolutely free in Bongo, said a press release.
The story is about a newly married couple, Zahid and Noboni. Zahid, a doctor who has just passed MBBS, married BBA ninth semester student Noboni. But, before their happiest moment even started, the world suffered the Covid19 catastrophe, and the country, as well as their known world, changed drastically. As a result, Zahid had to join the emergency corona care unit of the hospital as a frontline fighter. But, in the meantime, an unimaginable tragedy happened to him! To know what happened in Zahid's life, viewers have to see celebrated director Mizanur Rahman Aryan's extraordinary drama "PasheThakarGolpo."
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Actors Saeed Zaman Shaon and Safa Kabir have played the lead roles in the screenplay of Sohail Rahman and Sakhawat Hossain. SaberiAlam has also acted in the supporting role.
Md. Masuduzzaman, Head of Content, Bongo, said, “This time, we have brought the story of PasheThakarGolpo. This drama, which is propagated in the public interest, will keep everyone safe and try to save the lives of the near and dear ones of the family, friends, and those who live in our surroundings. Bongo will come up with much more new content to bring wholesome entertainment to all."