The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, signed an agreement on Sunday to support democratic reforms in the country. The agreement focuses on the “Democratic Reforms through Inclusive Participation” (DRIP) project, which aims to foster inclusive participation in the democratic process. Focus on opportunities, challenges in Bangladesh-India ties: Roundtable This initiative seeks to strengthen democratic governance in Bangladesh by promoting transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh and Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Chargée d'affaires a.i, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, signed the agreement in Dhaka on behalf of their respective organisations, in the presence of Gitanjali Singh, Representative, UN Women. The DRIP project will be implemented jointly by UNDP and UN Women to promote inclusive governance by supporting the participation of women, youth, and other socially excluded groups in political decision-making processes, said UNDP. This initiative is part of UNDP’s ongoing Strengthening Institutions, Policies, and Services (SIPS) program, which aims to create a more inclusive and responsive governance framework in Bangladesh. “We are grateful for Switzerland's longstanding partnership with UNDP and our joint support to strengthening institutions and promoting democratic governance in Bangladesh. Together with Switzerland and UN Women, we aim to further advance Agenda 2030 by specifically addressing SDG5 on gender equality and SDG16 on peaceful and inclusive societies," said Stefan Liller at the signing ceremony. Palestinian struggle was key inspiration behind July Uprising: Nahid Islam Corinne Henchoz Pignani said DRIP supports the reform priorities of Bangladesh and builds on Switzerland's longstanding efforts to advance participatory governance and human rights in the country. "Empowering women and youth is at the heart of building resilient societies. By amplifying the voice, agency and leadership of women and underrepresented groups through this initiative, we are laying the foundation for a more equitable future," said Gitanjali Singh. Representatives from UNDP, UN Women and SDC were present at the signing ceremony. The two-year project, implemented by UNDP and UN Women, underscores the importance of inclusive reforms in restoring public trust and addressing the root causes of socio-political discontent.  

Almost three months after one of the worst floods in recent memory, 1,718 families in Feni are still grappling with the aftermath.  Having lost everything to the devastating flood, these families are forced to live in temporary shelters, struggling to rebuild their homes and lives. In August, a catastrophic flood swept through Feni, destroying 1,718 homes completely and partially damaging another 6,941. Although two months and 24 days have passed since the disaster, relief efforts have been insufficient, victims say. According to District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Mahbub Alam, “For partially damaged homes, we have received 400 bundles of corrugated iron sheets and 12 lakh taka, which have been distributed to nearly 150 families.” Read: Low-lying areas of Ctg, Feni, Cumilla and 5 other districts likely to be inundated: FFWC Some organisations, including the Bangladesh Army and UNDP have assisted these families, but the need remains overwhelming. The flood caused widespread destruction across Feni, with complete devastation reported in the following areas: Sadar Upazila: 675 houses Fulgazi Upazila: 295 houses Chagolnaiya Upazila: 293 houses Parshuram Upazila: 333 houses Sonagazi Upazila: 37 houses Daganbhuna Upazila: 85 houses  Additionally, partial damages were reported in the following areas: Sadar Upazila: 3,206 houses Parshuram: 333 houses Chagolnaiya: 313 houses Daganbhuna: 982 houses Sonagazi: 741 houses Fulgazi: 1,349 houses For families with partially damaged homes, the Bangladesh Army has distributed 4 bundles of corrugated iron sheets per family and provided a total of Tk 6.5 lakh in cash to 157 families. The Army, with assistance from the Navy, has also repaired 100 houses in Fulgazi. In addition, UNDP is distributing Tk 10 crore 35 lakh to repair the homes of 3,000 affected families. Other organizations, including BDRCS, Mastul Foundation, RIC, and YPSA, have also contributed with materials and financial aid. Amid this devastation, stories of hardship continue to unfold. Khokon Mia, an auto-rickshaw driver from Dakkhin Jagatpur village in Fulgazi upazila, lost everything to the flood, including his home. With nowhere to go, he now lives with his wife and children in a small room of a Water Development Board irrigation scheme. "Everything feels like a nightmare," said Khokon. Read more: Deaths during student protest: 4 students' bodies exhumed in Feni for autopsies “One flood has left me completely destitute. I couldn’t save anything. I had to take shelter with my wife and three young children. It’s been a month with no work. I don’t know how to rebuild my house. Three months have passed since the flood, and yet I have not seen any government initiative for our rehabilitation,” he added. Abu Taher, from Char Chandia village in Sonagazi, also recounted the flood’s devastation: "The floodwaters have ruined everything. I barely managed to get to a shelter. When I returned home, nothing was left. I am now living with my family on the roof of my cousin's house."  Shamsunnahar, a woman in her fifties from Birinchi area in Feni Sadar upazila, is facing the same fate. "The flood took everything, and I don’t have the means to build a new house. If I receive financial aid from the government, I will be able to repair my house; otherwise, I will have to stay in the broken house. I’ve made a shelter with plastic around and broken tin on top." The recently retired Feni Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akhter, sought urgent assistance for the affected families. "We have requested 20,000 bundles of tin and 6 crore taka from the relevant ministries for the aid of affected families," she said.   

Ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have partnered to improve the sustainable management of critical wetland ecosystems by launching two new projects. A signing ceremony was held on Thursday at the NEC-II conference room, Economic Relations Division, where UNDP and the Government of Bangladesh signed two agreements to launch the projects titled “Community-based Management of Tanguar Haor Wetland in Bangladesh” and “Implementing Ecosystem-based Management in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) in Bangladesh,” both funded by GEF. The agreements were signed by Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division. The projects aim to address some of Bangladesh's most urgent environmental challenges by promoting the sustainable use of wetland resources by local communities, conserving globally significant biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem services. Shahriar Kader Siddiky stated, "We must explore more global funding opportunities to conserve biodiversity and restore ecologically critical ecosystems. It's essential to engage local communities in the co-management of these ecosystems and ensure that conservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity is a key consideration in any civil infrastructure projects." Dr. Farhina Ahmed stressed, "We need to reform land management for sustainable wetlands, involving local communities instead of traditional leasing. Responsible tourism is also key to protecting critical ecosystems." She added, "While climate change gets much attention, we must also focus on protecting biodiversity and improving environmental governance. This is a priority for us." Stefan Liller, in his remarks, said, "While Bangladesh has made commendable strides in climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration, the ongoing environmental challenges demand our collective and innovative efforts. UNDP remains steadfast in its partnership with the Government, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. “Together, we've mobilized approximately $362 million from the GEF to support sustainable development projects aligned with national priorities,” he further added. Senior government officials and UNDP representatives, along with others, attended the event. This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of both UNDP and the Government of Bangladesh to protect the nation's biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) of the Cabinet Division and ICT Division, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is working to build a Smart Bangladesh and bringing smart services to the doorsteps of the citizens.During the year 2023, a2i has launched many smart projects while many of its initiatives and associated projects received over 17 national and international awards, demonstrating their commitment to technology-dependent services and innovation for Smart Bangladesh development.On December 12, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the ambitious goal of achieving a Smart Bangladesh by 2041 where four pillars of Smart Bangladesh were set.These are: Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government and Smart Society.The journey from 2023 to 2041 spans 18 years, marking a dedicated pursuit of the Smart Bangladesh vision.An overview of a2i's year-long efforts to create Smart BangladeshNational and International Achievements:Apart from achieving many national awards, a2i was honoured with a number of international awards this year. It was conferred with the prestigious 'World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize-2023' for the 'COVID-19 Telehealth Center initiative. Besides, a2i's 'ekShop' platform was awarded the 'SDG Digital Game Changer Award' by the United Nations for its contribution to extending e-commerce while the a2i was recognized with the 'WITSA 2023 Global Innovation and Technology Excellence Awards' for its skill development and education excellence through online platforms like 'National Intelligence Employment and Entrepreneurship (NISE)' and 'MuktoPaath.'ISO certificate for Procurement Process:a2i's Procurement Management achieved the International Standards Organization (ISO) certificate for its outstanding contribution in improving buyer-supplier relationships and increasing efficiency in the private sector with a view to improving transparency and quality in the government procurement process.Accessibility Guidelines:As the a2i is at the forefront of ensuring digital services accessible to all including people with disabilities, the government has formulated the 'Digital Service and Web Designing Guideline for Inclusive Accessibility 2022', simplifying the way to achieve the goal.National Innovation Agency:The a2i is poised to be a full-fledged agency as the 'Agency to Innovate (a2i) Bill 2023' was passed in the parliament in July this year, ushering in a new era of technological innovation in the country. As an innovation intermediary, it will advance new, mission-driven policies while continuing its 'whole-of-government' approach to achieving the SDGs and achieving Smart Bangladesh.e-Quality Center for Inclusive Innovation:a2i was globally acclaimed for its proactive steps to reduce digital divide by establishing the 'e-Quality Center for Inclusive Innovation', envisioning a world with zero digital divide. This centre, a collaborative effort of a2i, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICT Division and the UNDP, was formally launched during the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25 this year. Earlier, a worldwide campaign named Zero Digital Divide (#ZeroDigitalDivide) was launched aimed at minimizing digital inequality across the globe.To attain the goal, the e-Quality Centre has introduced the International ICT Innovation (I-3) Matching Fund that has already provided financial assistance to five countries: Gambia, Uganda, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, and Ghana.DPI-AI International Conference:A two-day international conference Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) was organized under the auspicious initiative of the a2i this year with a view to creating an ecosystem to reach citizen services to individual level. It emphasized on creating an inclusive and digitally equitable world through the optimal use of DPI and artificial intelligence (AI). The conference was featured with the significant 'Dhaka Declaration 2023,' that outlined 10 point-action to reduce digital divide and strengthen DPI and AI.a2i for Innovation:As part of its regular activities to encourage building a culture of innovation in the country, a2i organized 'Rocketry Innovation Challenge-2022' and awarded innovators for innovative ideas like smart meters and sub-meters for water usage in households and industries, monitoring vital physical data during pregnancy using digital methods for pregnant women and creating customized letters for government office documents.International Consultation on Blended Education:As blended education has appeared as indispensable for shaping Smart Bangladesh, in May this year, the a2i in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Education Ministry organized an international consultation aimed at implementing an inclusive blended education system.a2i’s emergency response during Disaster:The national helpline 333 developed by the a2i stood by the people when the powerful cyclone 'Mocha' approached the country's coasts and provided 24-hour service. The toll-free helpline service provided information related to the cyclone, alert signals, weather updates, and emergency assistance. During this period, the helpline received 1.4 million calls related to 'Mocha,' and more than 34,000 calls were made for disaster assistance.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh and the British Council signed a deal on Monday at the UNDP Dhaka office to address the growing importance of English language proficiency in today's interconnected world. Recognising the significance of English skills in enabling youth to compete in the local and global job market, this collaboration aims to offer online self-study courses through Futurenation, focusing on workforce development and youth upskilling. Futurenation is a unique alliance formed by UNDP Bangladesh, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) & Grameenphone, working towards accelerating the Nation's future economic growth. UNDP to work with content creators to promote SDGs English has emerged as the global language of communication, even for non-native speakers, making proficiency in the language essential for accessing employment opportunities and entrepreneurial scopes with confidence. Leveraging the British Council's unparalleled expertise in delivering English language education for over 80 years, this partnership aims to equip the youth of Bangladesh with the necessary language skills to navigate the dynamic employment landscape. Through this joint initiative, UNDP Bangladesh and the British Council will establish a framework to facilitate global citizenship education, co-design initiatives, and provide skills and training programs for the youth. By combining their strengths, expertise, and resources, the two organisations seek to magnify their impact and accelerate progress toward shared objectives.Stefan Liller, the Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. UNDP to raise awareness on plastic pollution by introducing jute-polymer bags "This collaboration between the British Council and UNDP marks a significant milestone in our shared mission to promote education, culture, and sustainable development. By joining forces, we synergise our strengths, expertise, and resources, magnifying our impact and accelerating progress toward our shared objectives,” he said. One of the primary focuses of this partnership is to jointly develop training courses on business English, enhancing the employability of the youth and creating economic opportunities for all. Additionally, the initiative will prioritise climate action and youth, business and human rights from the youth perspective, and joint campaigns for creating social impact. Tom Miscioscia, the Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, said they are excited to collaborate with UNDP on the Futurenation programme. “Together, we will harness the transformative power of education and boost young people’s English language skills across Bangladesh to enhance their entrepreneurship and employment prospects. The British Council is committed to supporting Bangladesh’s next generation by building their skills, confidence, and connections through life-changing opportunities in English, education, and the arts.” The collaboration between UNDP and the British Council will open numerous opportunities for information sharing and consultation on matters of common interest. Together, they aim to ensure inclusive and quality education, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable economic well-being.

There has been no progress in the level of bias against women over the previous ten years, with nearly nine out of ten men and women still believing such prejudices globally, according to a new UN report released on Monday (June 12, 2023). UN Development Programme (UNDP) in its most recent Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) says , "Half of people worldwide still believe men make better political leaders than women, and more than 40% believe men make better business executives than women." Also Read: 9 countries inc. Bangladesh release first national estimates of illicit financial flows with UN support “Social norms that impair women’s rights are detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development,” said Pedro Conceição, head of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office. A staggering 25 per cent of people believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife, according to the report, reflecting the latest data from the World Values Survey. The report said that these biases are to blame for the obstacles women encounter, which have taken the form of the denial of women's rights in many regions of the world, the growth of movements opposing gender equality, and an increase in human rights abuses in some countries. The stark underrepresentation of women in leadership positions is another example of bias in action. Since 1995, the percentage of women serving as heads of State or governments has generally hovered around 10%, and in the job market, they make up less than one-third of executive posts. The report also sheds light on a broken link between women’s progress in education and economic empowerment. Also Read: A child or youth died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021: UN report Women are more skilled and educated than ever before, yet even in the 59 countries where women are now more educated than men, the average gender income gap remains a 39 per cent in favour of men. “Lack of progress on gender social norms is unfolding against a human development crisis,”  Conceição said, noting that the global Human Development Index (HDI) declined in 2020 for the first time on record and again the following year. “Everyone stands to gain from ensuring freedom and agency for women,” he added. The UNDP report emphasized that governments have a crucial role in shifting gender social norms, from adopting parental leave policies, that have changed perceptions around care work responsibilities, to labour market reforms that have led to a change in beliefs around women in the workforce. “An important place to start is recognizing the economic value of unpaid care work,” said Raquel Lagunas, Director of UNDP’s gender team. The report emphasized that despite the continued prevalence of bias against women, the data shows change can happen. Also Read: Rights groups slam severe Taliban restrictions on Afghan women as ‘crime against humanity’ An increase in the share of people with no bias in any indicator was evident in 27 of the 38 countries surveyed. The report authors said that to drive change towards greater gender equality, the focus needs to be on expanding human development through investment, insurance, and innovation. This includes investing in laws and policy measures that promote women’s equality in political participation, scaling up insurance mechanisms, such as strengthening social protection and care systems, and encouraging innovative interventions that could be particularly effective in challenging harmful social norms, patriarchal attitudes, and gender stereotypes. For example, combatting online hate speech and gender disinformation can help to shift pervasive gender norms towards greater acceptance and equality, according to the report. The report recommended directly addressing social norms through education to change people’s views, policies and legal changes that recognize the rights of women in all spheres of life, and more representation in decision-making and political processes. Read more: 90% of countries see decline in human development

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a social media campaign titled ‘#Click4Wildlife’ to create mass awareness about wildlife conservation ahead of World Wildlife Day on March 3. The first of its kind, the online campaign calls for submissions of wildlife photographs in Bangladesh, a selection of which will be displayed in a virtual exhibition hosted by UNDP during the World Wildlife Day. “Humans cannot exist without nature, and it is essential for all of us to realise the importance of wildlife conservation,” UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller said. “UNDP has long been working to restore and preserve habitats and create enabling environments where nature and humans can co-exist side by side,” he added. They believe this campaign and exhibition will make people realise the beauty of nature and raise awareness about its conservation. Also Read: Landslides remain most substantial damaging, recurrent hazards in Cox’s Bazar: UNDP The participation process is very simple. Anyone who is interested in participating, will have to post the picture they want to submit publicly on their social media profile on Facebook and Instagram. They must use the ‘#Click4Wildlife’ hashtag and tag @UNDPBD (Facebook) or @undpbangladesh (Instagram) in the caption and direct message the post link to either UNDP’s Facebook page or Instagram page to complete the submission. The top 20 photographers will be selected from the submissions based on the likes/reactions to their posts. Also Read: Jaya Ahsan starts 2nd tenure as UNDP goodwill ambassador The selected photographers will be featured in the virtual exhibition and win digital certificates and goodies from UNDP. The deadline for submission and evaluation is 28th February, 2023.  

Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations, has been elected vice-president of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board for 2023 at the elections held in New York. This will enable Bangladesh to work closely with the other board members and the leaderships of these three vital UN organs and provide them with strategic guidance for their work. The ambassador of Kenya was elected president of the board on Tuesday. The other vice-presidents are ambassadors of Costa Rica, Ukraine and Türkiye. Read more: Switzerland, UNDP sign deal to promote peaceful, inclusive societies for sustainable development Ambassador Muhith is serving as the current chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and served as the president of the Executive Board of the UN Women last year. The UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS have specific mandates to advance the UN's development agenda at the field level in realising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP is the largest UN agency with a primary focus on poverty alleviation and sustainable development. The UNFPA covers population and family planning issues, while the UNOPS works in cross-cutting areas across peace, development and humanitarian matters. Read more: Liller vows to continue UNDP’s full support to Bangladesh

Mashiur Rahman, Economic Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said on Thursday that the IMF loan is like a character certificate. “If we get this certificate, everyone will show interest in giving us loans,” he told a seminar on ‘South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Tapping New Opportunities.’ The discussion was jointly organised by Economic Relations Division (ERD) and UNDP in the capital, Dhaka. Read more: Government working on IMF’s conditions to get $4.5 billion loan Mashiur said that the IMF’s lending as budget support means that the economic management of a country is sound. “If this is the case, other countries or organisations will express interest in lending easily. The investment will also come along with it,” he said. UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis and UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller were present as special guests while ERD Secretary Sharifa Khan presided over the function. Read more: $4.5bn IMF loan: 1st instalment expected next Feb, says Mustafa Kamal Policy Exchange of Bangladesh CEO and Chairman M. Masrur Reaz and Research and Policy Integration for Development (PRI) Chairman Dr. MA Razzaque presented the main articles on the topic. Faizul Islam, Additional Secretary of ERD and UNDP’s Country Economist Nazneen Ahmed also spoke at the event.

The Swiss government has joined hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh to provide the Bangladesh government with support for gender equality and the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions. The $5.53 million deal for the Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) Programme was penned at the UNDP office in Dhaka on Tuesday. Read more: Landslides remain most substantial damaging, recurrent hazards in Cox’s Bazar: UNDP Suzanne Mueller, Head of Cooperation and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. “We need to strongly integrate SDG16 & SDG5 for inclusive economic development, gender equality, governance, & human rights for agenda 2030 and I firmly believe this new SIPS initiative will contribute to that," Suzanne said at the signing. “We are grateful to Switzerland for our longstanding partnership and commitment to jointly support Bangladesh in achieving Agenda 2030 - particularly by strengthening its institutions and promoting good governance,” said Stefan Liller. Read more: Safe Digital Space: AUW, UNDP to promote intercommunal, religious harmony Despite Bangladesh’s magnificent strides in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, a lot still needs to be done in terms of governance indicators. More importantly, the government of Bangladesh has emphasised strengthening democratic institutions at both the national and local levels. The new programme targets three major outcomes - strengthening the capacities of Bangladesh’s bureaucracy to deliver on SDG 16 and SDG 5, making institutions of public oversight more people-centric and effectively fulfil their mandates and strengthening the policy environment to sustain SDG results and integrating SDGs into routine government operations and partnerships. Swiss embassy’s Senior Programme Manager for Economic Governance Sohel Ibn Ali, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative, Van Nguyen, Assistant Resident Representative, Anowarul Haq, Senior Governance Advisor, Md Mozammel Haque, and Senior Governance Specialist, Sheela Tasneem Haq, were also present at the signing.