DHAKA, Oct 28, 2019 (BSS) – Planning Minister MA Mannan today asserted that the Awami League government is committed to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The government, the Prime Minister and also the entire nation are committed to achieving the SDGs and we’ll continue to enhance our investment and resource mobilization in this regard,” he said.
The Planning Minister was addressing a seminar on challenges of achieving SDGs at the VIP Lounge of Jatiya Press Club today.
Organised by the English Daily Bangladesh Post and chaired by its Editor-in-Chief Sharif Shahab Uddin, the seminar was addressed, among others, by former Ambassador Muhammad Zamir and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Kazi Reazul Hoque.
Highlighting the successes of Bangladesh in attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Planning Minister said that the government of Sheikh Hasina is very much sincere and committed to attaining the SDGs.
Turning to the requirement of huge resources for implementing the SDGs, Mannan said the message of the Prime Minister is if the development partners come forward with their assistance to help implement the SDGs, then the government would gladly accept it.
“If not, we’ll move forward on our own to implement the SDGs,” he added.
The Planning Minister underscored the need for unleashing development in the country in a sustainable way without hampering the environment.
Former Ambassador Muhammad Zamir expressed the hope that Bangladesh would be able to attain the SDGs successfully the way it achieved the MDGs.
He also stressed the need for putting due emphasis on mental health and preventing drug addiction, increasing interactive social engagement and active participation during the implementation period of the SDGs.
Former Chairman of the Bangladesh Human Rights Commission Kazi Reazul Hoque put emphasis on maintaining rule of law, protecting human rights, continuing drive against corruption, eliminating child labour and ensuring due rights and facilities for the people with different abilities during the implementation period of the SDGs.