"Sustainable development depends on the activities of government agencies. No single agency or ministry is working here. All the ministries and agencies should work together inclusively," he said. 

Gowher Rizvi came up with the remarks at a discussion titled 'Interpreting SDGs for South Asia in search of a regional framework' arranged by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at a city hotel.  

He said not a single goal can be achieved if all do not work inclusively.

Gowher Rizvi said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always emphasises on regional cooperation among the Asian countries to achieve the SDGs. "The Sheikh Hasina government always attaches highest importance to regional cooperation."

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue, said the regional structures, especially Saarc, are not very effective right now to implement the aspirations of people. 

"There may be need for new kind of system and new type of institutional framework. The methodology of the institutional framework will be consistent with public aspirations," he said.   

The programme was presided over by CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun where United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) head Nagesh Kumar and Senior Policy Advisor of Afghanistan Abdul Wahed Ahmed, among others, spoke.