Human capacity must for achieving SDGs

Right based civil society organizations urged the government to put effective strategies and actions to increase human capacity locally in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  They also opined that the human capacity would see a surge once the government strengthens its institutional capacity and provides platforms for inclusive growth, where civil society gets enough space to participate in the development process.

The observations were made at a seminar held at the Jatiya Press Club with the title 'SDGs and Voluntary National Review (VNR) in Bangladesh: Perspective Citizen Participation' yesterday. Asian Develo-pment Alliance, EquityBD, SUPRO, Global Campaign against Poverty and SDG Watch Bangladesh jointly organized the seminar which was chaired by, Chairman of PKSF Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman.

State Minister of Finance and Planning Md Abdul Mannan spoke on the occasion as the chief guest. Three SDG-related keynote papers were presented in the seminar. Dr Kohiquzzaman said the increased human capacity was imperative for sustainable development and the standard rate of investment in human development should be at least 17 percent of GDP. But due to resource constraints, he said, the government was unable to make required investment. He, however, said a light of hope was seen in the vicinity as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her commitment for capacity building. MA Mannan said the government needs strong institutions for economic and social development. The people from spheres should extend their helping hands to rebuild the nation at every front.