BD highlights Teesta, skills dev, innovation at UN SDG forum

 
Bangladesh stressed upon  the importance of international cooperation on transboundary water sharing including support for the Teesta Barrage Project in northern Bangladesh at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Speaking at the forum, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister’s Office Prof Dr SM Abdul Awal said Bangladesh has long prioritised climate adaptation and sustainable water management, according to a press release of Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, New York on Saturday.

Bangladesh has highlighted the importance of climate resilience, water security, skills development and innovation-driven industrialisation in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He referred to the government’s plan to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals over the next five years to strengthen irrigation networks, improve rainwater retention, raise groundwater levels and enhance drinking water security for both rural and urban communities.

In a separate intervention on SDG 9, he said resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialisation and innovation remain central to Bangladesh’s development strategy as the country works towards graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category.

He emphasised investments in skilled and knowledge-based education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship to equip young people for future jobs and build a knowledge-based economy.

Dr Awal also called on the international community to invest in Bangladesh’s agriculture, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, leather, digital and creative industries, saying the country now offers a favourable environment for foreign investment following the democratic election.

He said these efforts would help safeguard development gains, generate employment and support a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.