Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would require collective efforts from all sections of society, outlining the government’s vision of a democratic state based on free elections, rule of law and institutional accountability.
“No single ministry or department can implement the SDGs alone. Success requires the collective efforts of the government, private sector, development partners, NGOs, civil society, the media and every citizen,” he said.
The prime minister made the remarks while inaugurating the national conference titled “Navigating Five-Year Strategic Framework for Achieving SDGs: Policy, Partnership and Priority 2026.”
The General Economics Division (GED) of the Bangladesh Planning Commission and the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister’s Office jointly organised the national conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
Tarique Rahman expressed hope that during the three-day conference each coordinating ministry and division will discuss its progress, challenges and future priorities and formulate realistic and timely action plans to achieve the SDGs.
“Let us all work with firm determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the current government’s vision for the days ahead is clear on several fundamental issues.
“We want to build a democratic state where there will be free elections, rule of law and institutional accountability; a humane state where healthcare, education and citizens’ rights will be universal; and a welfare state where equal economic opportunities and intergenerational equity will be ensured,” the Prime Minister said.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh has made significant progress in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is continuing to take steps towards achieving the SDGs.
He said the SDG principle of “leaving no one behind” is closely aligned with the government’s policy of putting Bangladesh first while protecting the interests of people from all sections of society.
Referring to the BNP’s previous development plans, the head of their government said his party’s programmes has always been people-oriented.
He cited the 19-point programme of late president Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030 and the current 31-point state reform agenda as examples of plans that broadly reflected the goals of the MDGs and SDGs.
The prime minister said more than a decade and a half of “fascist rule” has left Bangladesh dependent on loans and imports and weakened key sectors including education, healthcare and the environment.
He said rebuilding the country would require a comprehensive approach with the SDGs playing an important role in guiding the process.
As part of this effort, Tarique Rahman said the government has taken steps to implement a five-year strategic framework for economic development, aligning the national development plan with the UN’s SDGs.
He said the government’s five pillars of reform and development reflected key SDG priorities, including poverty reduction, universal social protection, quality education and healthcare, gender equality, climate resilience and good governance.
The prime minister also highlighted the government’s “3R” strategy — recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction — aimed at strengthening the country from immediate stability to long-term structural transformation.
He said several social protection programmes are being implemented following the formation of the government, including the Family Card for women’s social and economic empowerment, the Farmers’ Card to protect farmers’ interests and the e-Health Card to improve access to public healthcare.
“These programmes are intended to take direct subsidies, agricultural inputs, financial assistance and healthcare services to marginal farmers, low-income families and vulnerable groups,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the government is also working on programmes such as the Sports Card and plans to bring imams, muezzins and religious leaders of different faiths under honorarium support.
“These initiatives will gradually expand the government’s support network to people from every section of society,” Tarique Rahman said.
He said the government planned to bring as many citizens as possible under social protection and economic support schemes during its current term.
At the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated three pilot Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) villages as part of the government’s initiative to localise the SDGs across Bangladesh.
The villages are Mitingachhari in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati, Pankhali in Dacope upazila of Khulna and Nafanagar in Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur.
Tarique Rahman said the pilot villages would simultaneously implement programmes including Family Cards, Health Cards, Farmers’ Cards, loans for small and medium enterprises, school uniforms, madrasa-based education, renewable energy, village tourism, blue employment, “One Village, One Product”, tree plantation, canal restoration and ecotourism.
“The impact of these programmes will also be monitored, and based on the success of the initiative, the government plans to expand the model to other villages,” he said.
Tarique Rahman expressed hope that the SDG Village initiative would develop into an internationally recognised development model showcasing the government’s electoral commitments.
He said the government wanted to build a Bangladesh where people could live in peace and enjoy equal opportunities, while ensuring that no section of society was left behind.
