"Seminar on SDG Localization: Advancing Sustainable Development in Barishal Division"

Bangladesh made outstanding progress during the era of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Now it is the concern whether the country can continue its progress and achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or not. Although primary accountability for the SDGs belongs to nations, the SDGs explicitly call for action by local authorities. At least 12 of the 17 SDGs—excepting 9, 12, 13, 14, and 17—require integrated strategies at the community level to overcome the interlinked challenges of poverty, ill health, social ills, and environmental destruction. The constitutional mandate makes it imperative that Bangladesh localize the SDGs—that is, it must equip the UPs with the skills and resources to analyze their local situation, set priorities for each of the relevant SDGs, and track and report their progress. SDG localization in Bangladesh is the process of adapting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the local level. The goal is to create a framework for local development policies and to ensure that the SDGs are achieved in cities and villages. A seminar on “SDG Localization” was organized by the divisional statistics department of Barishal on 16 January 2025 at the auditorium of Circuit House, Barishal. Md. Mahabub Hossen, Secretary, Statistics & Informatics Division, was the chief guest in the program. The special guests were Md. Mijanur Rahman, Director General, Bangladesh Statistics Bureau; Md. Monjur Morshed Alam, DIG, Barishal Range; and Md. Shafikul Islam, Police Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, Barishal. The seminar was presided over by Md. Raihan Kawser, Divisional Commissioner, Barishal. Md. Delower Hossen, the Deputy Commissioner of Barishal, delivered the welcoming speech. The Director of Health, the Director of Social Services, ADCs, and statistics officers from all the districts of the Barishal division were the participants. Among the 5 NGOs working in the Barishal division, Shushilan was also invited & joined the seminar. Presentation on SDG Localization was presented by Md. Mahabubur Rahman Sheikh, Project Director (Joint Secretary) Statistics & Informatics Division; Alamgir Hossen, Deputy Director & Focal Point Officer, SDG Cell, Bangladesh Statistics Bureau; and Pr. Md. Auhidur Jaman, Associate Professor, Social Science Department, Barishal University. An open discussion was held on the topic. The chief guest calls on everyone to align these 39 plus one goals of the SDG to localize with their own work. He also urged the administration to give SDG localization priority & take initiative to achieve the district-wise target indicators.