United News of Bangladesh

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday signed two project documents — Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) Phase II and Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Accelerated Transformation (ISPAT) — at the ERD office in the capital. ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller signed the documents on behalf of their respective organisations. TEPP Phase II will run from January 2026 to March 2028 with a total budget of around US$3.57 million, funded by the UK Government. Politically motivated arbitrary detentions persist under Bangladesh interim govt: HRW According to a UNDP press release, the programme will strengthen Bangladesh’s trade and investment policy ecosystem to support a competitive post-LDC transition. It will enhance trade negotiation capacity, promote evidence-based policy analysis, support institutional reforms and improve the investment climate through the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). The ISPAT project will be implemented from January 2026 to June 2027 with a budget of US$1.06 million, supported by the Australian Government. The initiative aims to strengthen and modernise the NGO Affairs Bureau through the introduction of digital systems, improved transparency and gender-responsive service delivery. It will also support policy reform and capacity development to enhance NGO oversight and engagement in national development priorities. Speaking at the event, ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said, “These initiatives reflect our commitment to a holistic approach to institutional strengthening — building capacity, enhancing transparency and accountability, and fostering evidence-based policymaking. Through these projects, we aim to develop confident and capable institutions and professionals who can effectively support good governance and Bangladesh’s economic transformation, particularly during the post-LDC transition.” UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller said, “These two projects are highly strategic and catalytic, strengthening the institutions and policy ecosystems that underpin Bangladesh’s economic transformation and governance reforms. Working closely with the government and development partners, UNDP remains committed to supporting nationally led, forward-looking reforms that will deliver long-term impact.” The signing of the two projects reaffirms the strong partnership between the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP and development partners in advancing the country’s economic transition, strengthening public institutions and promoting transparent, technology-enabled and citizen-centric service delivery. Both TEPP Phase II and ISPAT are expected to play important roles in strengthening governance systems, fostering private sector competitiveness and supporting Bangladesh’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bangladesh govt urged to halt draft media ordinances, leave it to elected govt

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission is committed to holding a free, fair and inclusive election, addressing the challenges of misinformation and ensuring the participation of women and minorities. "We are addressing challenges such as misinformation while prioritising the participation and safety of women, minorities and communities in remote areas," he said. Support through the BALLOT project is vital to strengthening their capacity for both national and future local government elections, said the CEC. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the High Commission for Canada in Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Bangladesh Election Commission to support free, fair and inclusive elections through the Bangladesh Advancement for Credible, Inclusive and Transparent Elections (BALLOT) project for the Electoral Cycle 2025–2027. The agreement was signed by Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, and Ajit Singh, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh in presence of the Chief Election Commissioner. 20 remote polling centres in Rangamati to receive election materials by helicopters Under the partnership, Canada has approved CAD 2 million to support the BALLOT project in assisting electoral institutions and stakeholders across the electoral cycle. This support is delivered through a multi‑donor pool fund alongside Australia, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. With national elections scheduled for February 12, the initiative comes at a pivotal moment. Bangladesh’s election administration is one of the largest in the world, spanning more than 40,000 polling centres across 495 upazilas and serving a population of roughly 168 million people. The BALLOT project is designed to help ensure that electoral processes are trusted, inclusive and operationally strong. The project focuses on three core areas including strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC); enabling a more inclusive and transparent electoral environment; and laying the foundations for long-term electoral sustainability and reform. It combines immediate technical and operational support with longer-term capacity development and institutional strengthening through 2027. Ajit Singh highlighted that the partnership underscores Canada’s commitment to democratic institutions and accountable governance.  Prof Yunus happy over polls preparations, says next ‘week very crucial’ “Our contribution to the BALLOT project reflects Canada’s broader engagement in supporting peaceful electoral transitions, and meaningful civic participation across Bangladesh, including youth, minorities, women and girls and indigenous communities,” Ajit Singh said. Stefan Liller said strengthening electoral systems is central to public confidence and democratic governance.  “Canada joins BALLOT, the collective support of the United Nations system to Bangladesh’s electoral process, thereby demonstrating their strong commitment to the country's democratic development.” The project aligns with Bangladesh’s governance reform priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Progress and results will be monitored under UNDP programming standards, with regular public reporting and outreach.

Bangladesh has stressed the need for new, additional and accessible climate finance to address losses and damages faced by climate-vulnerable countries. At the annual meeting of the Executive Board of UNDP, held in UN Headquarters on February 3, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury highlighted UNDP's crucial role in strengthening democratic participation and judicial reforms in Bangladesh. Bangladesh also expressed support for ongoing UN reforms while emphasising the importance of preserving UNDP's delivery mandate and country-level programming. Bangladesh reaffirmed its strong commitment to multilateralism and vowed to work in close partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for development in line with national priorities. Read More: Bangladesh launches new climate finance strategy to combat $1 billion in annual losses Ambassador Chowdhury also emphasised the need for continued and predictable international support as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. The Ambassador congratulated the new UNDP Administrator, Alexander De Croo for assuming his responsibility and reaffirmed Bangladesh's full support to his leadership.

A Tk 1.5-crore project to renovate a vulnerable Teesta River dam in Nohali Union, Rangpur, has turned into a hub of illegal sand extraction, political involvement and profit-making, raising concerns among locals. Instead of reinforcing the embankment, influential groups and contractors are allegedly using the project to extract sand illegally. Locals describe it as a ‘sand looting festival’. The Water Development Board (Rangpur Zone) said the UNDP allocated Tk 1,38,94,085 to renovate a 1,206-metre stretch. Read more: Govt moves to modernise BSTI labs with Tk 851.93cr project Contractor Hasibul Hasan was officially in charge, but subcontractor Bharat Prasad is actually doing the work. Multiple irregularities have already been reported. No public notice board, required by law, was displayed at the site. Locals claim the work is proceeding secretly with the knowledge of PAUBO Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam. The official plan called for profiling the embankment with bamboo, pegs, and coconut-husk ropes, bringing soil from distant areas, and planting grass and tree seedlings. Instead, a 300-metre stretch has been filled only with sand, and a dredger is being prepared to extract sand directly from the river. Day labourer Serajul Islam said, “Four of us work here extracting sand for Tk 3,000 per day. The Executive Engineer knows about it.” Residents say local political figures, including UP Chairman Ashraf, former member Wahed, UP member Bakul (BNP), and member Azharul, are involved in the illegal sand removal. Most of the sand is sold outside, not used for the embankment. A 70-year-old former WDB employee warned that continued sand extraction could destroy homes in future floods. Attempts to protest were reportedly stopped by the Executive Engineer. Read more: Project launched to boost climate resilience, food security in Cox’s Bazar Subcontractor Bharat Prasad admitted he is managing the work through local political leaders and had paused site visits due to disputes over bamboo supply. UP member Azharul Islam claimed, “We are all working together; there is no problem.” Other local political leaders, including Ashraf Ali (Jatiya Party), Chand Sarker (BNP), Rifat Chowdhury (NCP), and Nayebuzzaman (Jamaat-e-Islami), denied involvement. PAUBO Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam initially defended sand extraction but later admitted irregularities and said he halted the work, ordering sand removal and proper reconstruction. UNO Mahmud Hasan Mridha said an investigation will be conducted, with action taken as needed, supported by Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan. Read more: Teesta cries for survival as northern Bangladesh’s lifeline runs dry

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday (November 18) said the government is reviewing the proposed procurement of body cameras to ensure transparency, rational planning and appropriate use in sensitive operational areas. The initial proposal sought a very large number of body cameras, prompting the committees to ask the authorities concerned to revisit the plan, pricing and procurement method, he told reports after meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat. He said the revised plan should adopt a more rational, need-based approach. “The procurement should be rational. We suggested that body cameras be used in particularly sensitive and critical areas, not everywhere,” he said, adding that the Home Ministry shares the same view. The adviser said the purpose of introducing body cameras is to strengthen monitoring, improve accountability and support evidence-based action. Read more: Govt to decide on body camera purchase for police within days: Finance Adviser “The idea is not to deploy body cameras indiscriminately but to ensure they serve their intended purpose where sensitivity and oversight are crucial,” he added. On whether the number of cameras will be reduced, Dr Salehuddin said rationalisation is likely. “The number will be reduced, but I cannot say by how much at this stage. We will be able to comment once the revised proposal is submitted,” he said. He added that the revised proposal will be placed very soon. On September 23, the government approved procurement of around 40,000 body cameras for police personnel ahead of the national election scheduled for February. The cameras are to be procured through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure quality, transparency and neutrality. Dr Salehuddin earlier said buying through UNDP would help avoid controversies over quality and pricing as international tenders would be floated and responsibility placed with the agency. Read more: Govt okays procurement of new firearms for Ansar and VDP

Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya on Saturday (8th November 2025) urged political parties to make a firm commitment in their election manifestos to eradicate all forms of discrimination from the country’s legal and social frameworks. “Political parties have to pledge to eradicate discrimination from the legal context in their election manifestos,” said Dr Debapriya, Convener of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh. He emphasised that the Citizen’s Platform is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in every form within legal and societal structures, and that the inclusion of such commitments in election manifestos would represent a strong step towards implementation in the future. Interim govt pursuing reforms without engaging stakeholders: Debapriya Dr Debapriya made the remarks while addressing the opening session of a dialogue titled “Elimination of Discrimination in Bangladesh: Legal Context, Current Reality, and Way Forward.” He highlighted the gap between constitutional promises and the lived realities of marginalised and vulnerable communities across the country. Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh organised the event in collaboration with the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Nagorik Uddyog (Citizen’s Initiative), with support from Switzerland and UNDP. Read more: Bangladesh Election: EC to begin political dialogues this week  

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh on Sunday jointly hosted a national consultation in Dhaka to chart a roadmap for building a robust Research and Development (R&D) Cell within the BBS. Titled “Strengthening the BBS R&D Cell: Priorities for Excellence in Data and Research”, the event was supported by the Embassy of Switzerland and drew participation from over 100 stakeholders representing the government, academia, private sector, and development partners. The initiative aims to transform the proposed R&D Cell into a centre of excellence that fosters innovation, boosts statistical capacity, and promotes evidence-based policymaking in Bangladesh, said a press release. Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, described the R&D Cell as a “timely and strategic investment,” underscoring the need to engage young researchers and align with global best practices. Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Director of BBS, said the Cell would enhance methodological integrity and adopt technologies like artificial intelligence to meet the growing demand for quality data at both national and international levels. Road Safety Act urged to protect pedestrians, cyclists UNDP Senior Economic Adviser Owais Parray stressed the importance of innovation, saying, “The Cell must become the engine of innovation—testing new tools and ensuring national statistics remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.” Highlighting the need for inclusive and timely data, UNDP’s Assistant Resident Representative Anowarul Haq called for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration to realise the Cell’s full potential. In his concluding remarks, BBS Director General Mohammed Mizanur Rahman reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to establishing a future-ready R&D Cell grounded in strong partnerships. The consultation emphasised capacity building, inclusive data methodologies, and strategic collaboration as essential elements in modernising Bangladesh’s statistical ecosystem.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) on Thursday signed an agreement to modernise and digitise legal aid services across Bangladesh, aiming to ensure faster and more inclusive access to justice for vulnerable communities. The agreement was signed at the EU Delegation office in Dhaka by UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, said a press release. Under the new initiative, an integrated legal aid system will be introduced featuring mobile applications, online case tracking and virtual mediation. The system is expected to enable citizens in remote and marginalised areas to access legal services without physically visiting courts. "This initiative marks a significant step forward in making justice more accessible for all,” said Stefan Liller. “Aligned closely with the ongoing justice sector reforms that UNDP and the EU are currently supporting, it builds upon our long-standing partnership in strengthening Village Courts, which already play a crucial role in resolving local disputes and serving rural communities." Initially, the project will be piloted in eight districts, targeting over 680,000 disadvantaged individuals. It will also prioritise inclusivity, gender-responsiveness, and accessibility for people with limited digital literacy. UN stands ready to help deliver lasting reform in Bangladesh: Gwyn Lewis  EU Ambassador Michael Miller said, “This agreement reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Bangladesh, the EU, and UNDP in improving access to justice for all. Whether through Village Courts or digital innovations, our joint efforts are creating a more efficient, inclusive, and responsive justice system.” The initiative will be implemented by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) in collaboration with the UNDP and the EU. It aligns with Bangladesh’s 8th Five-Year Plan and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions. By introducing a unified digital platform accessible via phone, SMS, and online portals, the project also aims to reduce the burden on courts, enhance transparency, and build public trust in the justice system.

The Ambassadors of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, together with the Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, visited the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) this week, reaffirming their strong commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in the region. Led by Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, and joined by Christian Brix Møller (Denmark), Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen (Norway), and Nicolas Weeks (Sweden), the high-level delegation engaged with diverse indigenous communities, local government officials, women-led committees, and youth groups across Rangamati and Bandarban. The mission spotlighted key development initiatives implemented by UNDP with the government of Bangladesh and with Nordic support, ranging from health and education to climate resilience, gender-based violence prevention, and livelihood enhancement. The visit, from April 27 to 30, emphasized the importance of sustained development partnerships in CHT, a region marked by ethnic diversity and complex socio-political dynamics. Since the 1997 Peace Accord, the Chittagong Hill Tracts have gradually moved towards peace and progress, yet significant challenges remain in areas such as climate change adaptation, healthcare, education, gender equality, and the rights of indigenous peoples. “Denmark is proud of its long-standing support to the Chittagong Hill Tracts through UNDP,” said Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark. “While challenges remain, particularly the full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, we see strong potential for sustainable growth in areas like eco-tourism and organic agriculture. These sectors can empower communities and foster self-reliance. Denmark remains committed to working together to advance climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and the rights of indigenous peoples.” Bangladesh is modernising authentication process: MOFA During the mission, the delegation visited remote villages engaging with women-led Climate Resilience Committees, observing solar-powered school transportation, and interacting with community-based health workers and teachers. “It’s inspiring to see communities, especially women, taking the lead in their own development,” said Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway. “Despite challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and limited access to education, their resilience is truly remarkable. Our visit to the Gender-Based Violence Victim Support Centre was particularly moving. The dedication of the team there is commendable. Supporting such essential services is vital to building safer, stronger communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.” The delegation also visited Village Common Forests (VCFs), and infrastructure projects aimed at improving basic service delivery. These interventions, many facilitated by UNDP in partnership with the Nordic countries, are integral to strengthening local governance and ensuring that no one is left behind in Bangladesh’s development journey. “It has been a privilege to spend these four days in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, engaging with its vibrant communities and witnessing their strength and resilience,” said Nicolas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden. “It’s impressive to see how these communities are adapting to new realities and being positive role models for change and development. Sweden deeply values the cultural richness of this region. We are proud of our long-standing partnership with UNDP here in CHT, supporting efforts in education, healthcare, climate resilience, and gender equality.” “Our joint mission to the Chittagong Hill Tracts with the Ambassadors of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden has been a powerful reminder of the impact of long-term partnership,” said Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh. “For over two decades, support from these countries has enabled us to work alongside communities and government counterparts to drive inclusive, sustainable development.”

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh recently recognized three university clubs for their innovative ideas and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about air pollution. Starting on a small scale in 2023, UNDP launched the "Breathe Well Dhaka" campaign to address growing concerns over air quality in the capital. Encouraged by an overwhelming response, the initiative expanded in 2024 into a nationwide campaign titled "Let's Breathe Well," engaging students’ clubs from different universities across the country to propose innovative solutions for air pollution. The second phase of the campaign saw participation from 174 university clubs representing 64 universities, submitting their ideas to combat air pollution. An expert jury board reviewed the submissions and selected the top three clubs Team Airrow BRACU, IPE Pokayoke RUET and Air Savvy Med Squad BMSS for their impactful initiatives. The campaign reached around 4 million people altogether. Team Airrow from BRAC University focused on mobilising communities in lower-income areas, ensuring access to critical information about air pollution. IPE Pokayoke from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) emphasised educating school students, fostering long-term awareness. A medical student club Air Savvy Med Squad addressed the issue of medical waste contributing to air pollution and engaged with patients to promote mask usage for health protection. Arif Mohammad Faisal, Programme Specialist - Environmental Sustainability and Energy, UNDP, served as one of the jury members and praised the innovative ideas presented. "The submissions were so relevant and forward-thinking that selecting the top three was a challenge. It is encouraging to see so many young minds engaged in tackling air pollution. We should consider forming a dedicated task force to advocate for lasting improvements in air quality," he remarked. Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications, UNDP Bangladesh, while addressing the closing and prize-giving ceremony, said, "The energy and creativity these students have shown are truly inspiring. This online campaign has proven the power of youth in advocating for a cleaner environment. This is just the beginning. We will continue to support initiatives like these, working alongside other UNDP projects to address air pollution at all levels. Together, we can build a sustainable and healthier future for Bangladesh."