Dhaka Bureau: Among the 17 SDG targets, two targets are about poverty. The first is to reduce poverty to zero and the second is that no person can go hungry. In the wake of the Ukraine-Russia war after the coronavirus, experts see the challenge of integrating the vast majority of the poor into the mainstream of the economy in the face of the economic shock of the global recession. Along with this, establishing good governance by ensuring peace and justice, creating sustainable production and partnerships to deal with natural disasters have also become big challenges. However, they believe that proper implementation of special strategies for poverty alleviation with government incentives can play an important role in achieving the SDGs.
The SDGs were set in 2015 by UN member states to ensure equitable and non-discriminatory development in a changing world. According to those concerned, Bangladesh has progressed more than before in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the global ranking on SDG achievement, Bangladesh is on track to achieve four sustainable development goals out of the 17 SDG goals and has made moderate progress in six goals. Bangladesh’s position on three SDG targets remains unchanged and there is a lack of data to assess two.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that it is possible to achieve the SDGs before 2030 if we work together. In the current year (May 16) at the inauguration of the second national conference to review the implementation of SDG, the head of government of Bangladesh said that the government is working tirelessly to create a country free from hunger and poverty. In this regard, we are trying to achieve international targets as well as national targets. Although SDG is a global development concept, it is closely related to the development path of Bangladesh. We are seven years into achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The pace of SDG implementation has slowed somewhat over the last two years due to the global pandemic of Covid-19. But we are working and will continue to achieve the goal using our best capabilities. I believe I can achieve it.
The SDGs set 17 goals, 169 targets and 232 indicators. The main objective behind setting the Sustainable Development Goals was to defeat global poverty and at the same time protect the Earth’s natural environment. According to these goals, poverty alleviation, including hunger, health, education, gender equality, safe water and sanitation, green energy, economic development and decent employment, etc. Issues such as responsible use of marine resources, ecological protection, peace protection and partnership building have been identified as development priorities.
Bangladesh government has made the eighth five-year plan keeping in mind the implementation of SDGs. Planning Minister MA Mannan said, we have to play a stronger role in achieving the SDGs. The UN has recognized our achievements as good.
Meanwhile, among the 17 goals of the SDGs, Bangladesh is successful in achieving moderate consumption and sustainable production patterns and urgent action to combat climate change and its effects. Therefore, the color of Bangladesh is green in these two positions of the index. Bangladesh is well on its way to achieving SDGs 1 to end all forms of poverty and 4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all and create opportunities for lifelong learning. Bangladesh has been placed in the orange list in SDG-1. In other words, there are significant challenges in front of Bangladesh on the way to achieve the goal. Besides SDG-3, SDG-6, SDG-9, SDG-13, SDG-14, SDG-15, SDG-16 and SDG-17, Bangladesh has been placed in the red list. In other words, Bangladesh has to face major challenges in order to fulfill the target in these eight areas. Bangladesh has been placed in the yellow list of SDG-4 indicators. This means that more work needs to be done to achieve these goals. According to the SDG report, unemployment and poverty rates have increased due to the pandemic. Finland, at the top of the index, and other leading countries are also facing tough challenges in meeting several SDG targets due to the pandemic.
Regarding the challenge of Bangladesh in achieving the SDG, the former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University said. AMS Arefin Siddique said to the media, it is true that the financial situation, government and private activities in Bangladesh are being somewhat hampered due to Covid, Ukraine-Russia war. Bangladesh has been successful in dealing with covid. However, if the war slows down, SDG development will advance. There is still time. Bangladesh will succeed in most if not all of the 17 goals.
The former governor of Bangladesh Bank. Atiur Rahman told the media that challenges have been created all over the world in the Covid, Ukraine-Russia war. Poverty is increasing. Urban poverty in Bangladesh has increased somewhat. Bangladesh is always vocal about climate change. However, there are challenges in international assistance to deal with natural disasters. The economist also commented that government, non-governmental, private and citizen partnerships are needed to achieve the SDGs.
According to experts, the Corona pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war, and the achievement of Objective-16 are under challenge. If the situation does not improve, there is a danger that Ambit 16 and the achievement of its goals will become paper documents. They advise the government to look into this matter. Sujan (citizen for good governance) editor Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar told the media that the establishment of peace and justice has become a big challenge. Bangladesh is walking the opposite way in terms of good governance. Implementation of Goals 16, especially the goals of non-discriminatory justice for all, participatory good governance, institutional transparency, accountability and effectiveness and anti-corruption, have been difficult in Bangladesh in normal times.
