DHAKA, Oct 7, 2024 (BSS) - The vision of "Three Zeros" envisioned by Chief Adviser Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus can act as major catalyst for achieving SDGs, said speakers at a workshop in the capital today.

At the same time, they also said that the achievement of SDG 17 can play a major role in attaining all other SDGs.

The above observations came at the workshop on 'Preparing VNRs: Reviewing Progress and Strengthening Partnership for SDG-17 in Context of LDC Graduation' held at the NEC 2 Conference Room of the capital today.

The Economic Relations Division (ERD), in association with the Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP), organized the event, said a press release.

Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) of Chief Adviser's Office Lamiya Morshed attended the event as chief guest. Additional Foreign Secretary M. Riaz Hamidullah and the Country Director of International Labour Organization (ILO) Tuomo Poutiainen attended the event as special guests. 

ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky chaired the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) Lamiya Morshed said that the vision of "Three Zeros" - zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emission, envisioned by the Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus provides a focused, socially inclusive approach that directly supports multiple SDGs'. 

She added, "Let Bangladesh be an example of three zeros to the future world."

Noting that the interim government had started working to this end, she recalled that a team consisting of twelve members, led by Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, had been given the responsibility of preparing a "white paper" on the current state of the Bangladesh economy.

"We expect that the "white paper" will put forward strategic recommendations to attain the SDGs, stabilize the economy, and address the challenges that Bangladesh would encounter upon emerging from its status as the least developed country (LDC)," she said. 

ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, in his speech, said 'Goal 17 emphasizes the critical role of partnerships, and as the coordinator for this goal, ERD has been working tirelessly to build and nurture relationships with Development Partners and International Organizations.

"The road to 2030 is undoubtedly challenging, but it is also filled with immense opportunities," the ERD Secretary said.

Bangladesh is on a transformative journey to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. ERD plays a critical role in coordinating efforts toward attaining SDG 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.

Member states of the United Nations are encouraged to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of their SDG progress at the national and sub-national levels. These Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are expected to serve as a basis for the regular reviews by the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) organized every year at the UN Headquarter in New York.

Bangladesh has so far conducted two VNRs-- the first one in 2017 and the second one in 2020. The country is already on the list of countries to conduct a VNR in 2025.

In this context, the workshop was organized to assess the progress of the designated targets and indicators under SDG17 as well as to gather updated information and data-driven progress reports from stakeholders for inclusion in the upcoming VNR of Bangladesh.

Additional Foreign Secretary M. Riaz Hamidullah, in his speech, observed that SDG 17 can act as a major enabler in achieving all other SDGs. 

Underlining the importance of reliable data in achieving SDGs, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen said that the UN system is committed to support Bangladesh in enhancing the country's data reliability. 

Additional Secretary of ERD and the Project Director of SSGP A.H.M. Jahangir delivered the welcome remarks of the event.

Speaking during the occasion, Chairman of RAPID Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque observed that the availability of funds for achieving SDGs is growingly characterized by various emerging global dynamics.

Joint Secretary of ERD Ishrat Jahan delivered a presentation on SDG 17 progress and challenges. Additional Secretary (SDG) of Chief Adviser's Office Mohd. Monirul Islam delivered a presentation highlighting Bangladesh's SDG performance and the linkage between the Three Zeros and SDGs.

Officials from ERD as well as the relevant ministries and agencies of the government as well as representatives from development partners, private sector and civil society organizations participated in the workshop.