Presentation | Press Reports
The urban local government in Bangladesh is yet to realise its potential role in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The urban local government is held back because of regulatory, operational and financial challenges. While dealing with the demands of the growing urban population, institutions such as City Corporations and Municipalities are not able to function with full autonomy. Some of the solutions lie in forming an updated regulatory framework, a Local Government Commission, and creating a platform for consultation with the line ministries.
These opinions emerged from a CPD dialogue on “Delivering SDGs in Bangladesh through Urban Local Government: An Exploration of Status, Prospects and Challenges”. The dialogue was held on 24 April 2019 at Khazana Gardenia Grand Hall, Dhaka. Mr Md. Tazul Islam, MP, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives was the Chief Guest at the dialogue. Special comments were offered by Mr Khalid Hossain Yead, Hon’ble Mayor, Madaripur Municipality and Dr Salahuddin M Aminuzzaman, Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka. Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, CPD and Ms Umme Shefa Rezbana, Senior Research Associate, CPD, made the keynote presentation. Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, CPD, chaired the dialogue and CPD’s Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun gave the welcome remarks.
The SDGs have helped to take the development discussions to a more disaggregated level said Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya. Thus, spatial and urbanisation discussions have emerged prominently in light of SDG’s key essence to leave no one behind. Similarly, Professor Mustafizur Rahman shared that no individual, locality or country can be left behind to successfully implement the global agenda. In her opening remarks Dr Fahmida Khatun highlighted the importance of better urban local government to achieve a number of SDGs.
By 2037, it is estimated that more people will be living in the urban areas than in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Giving examples of Latin American countries, Dr Bhattacharya explained why Bangladesh should focus on having a planned urbanisation to avoid the middle-income trap. He also added that very less research works have been done to strengthen the urban local government compared to that of the rural level.
The floor comprised of government officials, development partners, academics, diplomats and journalists from the digital and print media, among others.