On the invitation from H E Mr Munir Merali, Resident Diplomatic Representative, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Dr Debapriya visited the Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka, an establishment of the AKDN.
During his visit on 7 September 2023, Dr Debapriya visited the classrooms and interacted with the students. He also gave a lecture on “Development Journey of Bangladesh: Achievements and Challenges” to the students of the diploma program (Grade 11 and 12). He had an engaging conversation with teachers and students.
In his presentation, Dr Debapriya highlighted key accomplishments of Bangladesh in the last 50 years across diverse domains as well as referred to persisting challenges. He mentioned that Bangladesh has undergone a profound transformation since its Independence, achieving sustainable socioeconomic advancement.
As of 2023, Bangladesh is the 37th largest economy globally in terms of GDP and the 25th largest based on Purchasing Power Parity, according to IMF estimates, he mentioned. He highlighted the major achievements of Bangladesh in areas of per capita income, population growth rate, literacy rate, poverty reduction, export, remittance, food security and infrastructure.
“Despite remarkable progress, structural challenges remain in some critical areas. These challenges are often exacerbated by the evolving global situation,” he pointed out. He mentioned low private investment, inadequate revenue collection, high export concentration, insufficient allocation in health and education sectors, high inequality and Global Polycrisis are some of the major challenges which Bangladesh is yet to overcome.
Stressing the pivotal role of youths in overcoming these crises, he said, “The current demographic advantage in Bangladesh highlights the significance of youth as primary drivers of the country’s development strategy. However, Bangladesh has yet to fully harness this opportunity, as not all young individuals are equally involved in the development process, resulting in economic, political, social, and cultural disengagement.”
This disengagement further contributes to pressing issues such as increased criminality, radicalisation, heightened mental health stress, and a rise in intimate partner violence, all of which pose a significant threat to social cohesion. Effectively addressing these challenges is paramount for Bangladesh’s development and harnessing the full potential of its youth to drive progress.
