ZCZC
BSS-39
BDF 2020-CLOSING, TWO LAST
Mentioning that Bangladesh requires an additional amount of around $928.48
billion for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said it is quite unfortunate that the
development partners are not coming up heavily to this end.
“I’ll urge the development partners that you should tell your respective
countries and agencies to meet these promises,” he said, adding Bangladesh is
no more a bottomless basket; rather it is now a vibrant economy.
“We did a miraculous job in reducing poverty and we’re doing well over the
last few years. We hope to achieve faster growth in the next decade,” Momen
said, adding that the country needs much more partnership and resource
mobilization to attain the SDGs.
The Foreign Minister also suggested that the development partners could
come up heavily to support Bangladesh in meeting the financing gap in both
tangible and intangible infrastructures.
PM’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman said the need for
macroeconomic balance and the need for mobilizing resources both domestic and
foreign, the IMF and the IFC are expected to play their due important roles.
He said the encouragement of export-led growth has lost some of its sight
given the contentions among the major economies and the protectionists also,
the development partners in conjunction with the WTO and UNCTAD need to bring
it back for the sake of orderly global trade.
This year’s BDF has come up with a joint communique that spells out
necessary joint steps in the priority areas.
The Forum sought to deepen policy dialogue on key areas, including
addressing critical challenges in the 8th Five Year Plan and cooperation on
strategic priorities; and thereby support to Bangladesh.
The Forum acknowledged that Bangladesh on this trajectory of development
demands greater partnership in a more holistic way. An effective partnership
framework for sustainable development needs to reflect government leadership
on policy reform; and bring together the full range of partners to align
their strategies with the national development priorities.
BDF 2020 was held at a time when Bangladesh is at a defining juncture in
its development journey. First, the nation is now taking preparation to
celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and BDF 2020 was dedicated to the Birth Centenary of the Father of the
Nation.
The keynote session of the forum was devoted to ‘Effective Partnership for
Implementing the 8th Five Year Plan Aiming towards Achieving SDGs’.
It was followed by eight working sessions themed on: Private Sector
Engagement and Trade Facilitation; Partnership for Climate Change and its
Financing; Innovative Financing for a Self-reliant Bangladesh; Rural
Transformation: Creating Opportunities for All; Health Services: Inclusive
Delivery Options; Energy Security for Sustainable Growth; Sustainable Cities:
Services and Protection for the Vulnerable; and Quality Education for All:
Preparing for 4th Industrial Revolution; Sustainable Cities: Services and
Protection for the Vulnerable; and Quality Education for All: Preparing for
4th Industrial Revolution.
BSS/ASG/GM/RY/2001 hrs