Time for Action: Why Accountability is the Key to Unlocking Sustainable Development
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require not only announcement but also matching reality with accountability.
- The dialogue, titled 'Bangladesh Voluntary National Review (VNR) and Citizen Participation', featured Chief Adviser on SDG Issues Chief Coordinator (Senior Secretary) Lamia Morshed as the chief guest.
- Debapriya highlighted that VNR is a crucial pillar in the SDG implementation process.
Sustainable Development Goals: Ensuring Accountability and Citizen Participation
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require not only announcement but also matching reality with accountability. Dr. Devapriya Bhattacharya, Special Fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), emphasized this in a dialogue on SDG implementation in the capital.
The dialogue, titled ‘Bangladesh Voluntary National Review (VNR) and Citizen Participation’, featured Chief Adviser on SDG Issues Chief Coordinator (Senior Secretary) Lamia Morshed as the chief guest. Other participants included Dr. Ahmad Mushtaq Raja Chowdhury, Rasheda K Chowdhury, Professor Mostafizur Rahman, and Shaheen Anam.
Dr. Debapriya highlighted that VNR is a crucial pillar in the SDG implementation process. He noted that the accountability system, known as VNR, has undergone significant changes, presenting new opportunities and challenges. He appreciated the government’s positive response to citizen participation.
Dr. Debapriya also emphasized that sustainable development is not solely the government’s responsibility but is part of an international system. This provides an opportunity to assess international relations and development partnerships.
Lamia Morshed, the chief guest, acknowledged the civic platform’s advice and ideas on NGOs’ challenges and contributions to SDG implementation. She also recognized the need to address barriers and obstacles in the non-governmental and individual sectors.
Professor Mostafizur Rahman, DPP Special Fellow, stressed that fair employment is a key demand of the anti-discrimination movement. He advocated for considering the youth’s requirements and bringing them up to international standards when implementing VNR.