Speakers at a national workshop on Thursday said Bangladesh should strengthen the local government bodies like Zila Parishad to ensure development and help the country to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The workshop titled "Strengthening Zila Parishad in Achieving SDGs" was jointly organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MLGRD&C) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
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Speaking as the chief guest, LGDR and Cooeratives Minister Tajul Islam said thought the local government institutions are now stronger and more people-friendly than any time in the past, but Zila Parishad still needs further support to build their capacity if we want to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
The Minister urged all the development partners to come forward in this regard.
“Zila Parishad can solve their problems by utilizing the local resources properly. Coordination with other local government bodies is essential for that,” he said.
Nathalie Chuard, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, was present in the workshop as a special guest.
She highlighted the number of projects supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which are currently underway through the partnership Between Bangladesh and Switzerland.
"An integrated whole of society approach can ensure inclusive development to achieve SDGs for Bangladesh. I hope that Switzerland's development assistance will continue to strengthen the local government initiatives and implement the Sustainable Development Goals," Nathalie said.
Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP, said UNDP has been working with the Government of Bangladesh for many years.
“We are also supporting the Government to localize the SDGs and also strengthening the capacity of Upazila and Union Parishads.”
Chairing the workshop, Senior Secretary to the Local Government Division Helaluddin Ahmed thanked UNDP for their continued support to build the capacity of various local government institutions and hoped the support would continue further to increase the capacity of Zila Parishad.
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He said, "In order to coordinate development activities at the district level, capable and people-friendly Zila Parishad is necessary."
Earlier, Dr Mobasser Monem, Professor of Public Administration department of Dhaka University, presented the keynote paper on "Zila Parishad: Challenges, Prospects and Way Forward."
Among others, Local Government Division officials, representatives from different local government institutions, development partners, academics and experts, civil society representatives were also present.