Statement by the Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh on the occasion of Ministerial events on MDG to be co-sponsored by Bangladesh along with Japan entitled commitment to accelerate progress on the MDGs- Priorities in the remaining period. 13.15-14.30 hours on 21 September 2011 at CR 2, North Lawn Building.
Honorable Chair,
Excellencies,
Esteemed panelists, distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
A very good afternoon!
To attain the MDGs successfully there is need for strong partnership at the global and national level. For countries like Bangladesh to meet the MDG commitments made at the 2000 Millennium Summit, industrialised countries must honour their commitments to finance development in developing countries. Trade barriers must be lifted and both the rich and the poor must be allowed to benefit from globalization so that we can all move towards a more equal world.
We still have to go a long way in empowering women and girls, promoting sustainable development and protecting the most vulnerable from the devastating effects of multiple crisis economic and financial crisis, food insecurity, energy insecurity and climate debacle.
Another important area of concern is the rise in inequality in the distribution of income. While this issue is important from the point of view of achieving shared and inclusive growth, it needs to be remembered that a rise in income inequality reduces the effectiveness of economic growth in reducing poverty. So ensuring financial inclusion by the all sector of people and reducing disparities between urban and rural areas are two great concerns to achieve an equitable and inclusive economic growth.
Despite good progress in reducing the overall incidence of poverty in the nineties, the absolute number of poor continues to be nearly one billion, with poverty remaining largely a rural phenomenon. Again progress in combating child undernutrition is bypassing the poorest so it should be addressed. Providing reproductive services to all is another issue.
People are being displaced because of climate change and other phenomena. To protect the ecosystem that support sustainable growth should be another priority.
Improving transparency, accountability and efficiency of the Government in all key areas, including taxation, public procurement, land administration, law enforcement, and administration of justice and regulation of banking, insurance, and the credit market.
Growth in agriculture has suffered from instability in the recent past and to achieve MDG agricultural growth is very important. Tariffs on agricultural products should be undertaken into consideration.
High speed and widely available internet connection will ensure access to information to the grass root level.