Public, private players should work jointly to achieve SDGs

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday emphasised on a coordinated effort from the public and private sectors of Bangladesh to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The roundtable, styled "Role of the private sector in achieving Sustainable Development Goals", was organised by Bengali newspaper Daily Ittefaq at its Majida Begum auditorium.

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Addressing the programme as chief guest, Zuena Aziz, principal coordinator for SDGs at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), said the private sector has an important role in achieving the Global Goals.

Stating that the government would create the scope for the private sector to play its role in this regard, Aziz stressed on bringing all under integrated development.

Mentioning that the highest level of the government is committed to implementing the SDGs, she informed that responsibilities have been distributed among the ministries for achieving the 17 targets.

Besides, an action plan has been prepared to this end and the activities are being monitored, she added.

While presenting the keynote, Md Monirul Islam, joint secretary (SDG Affairs) of the PMO, said the government is prioritising goals that are more easily achievable.

Urging for giving emphasis on protecting the environment alongside economic development, he said the private sector should work sustainably while making a profit.

Aynul Islam, general secretary of the Bangladesh Economic Association, said the private sector plays a major role in the economy but some of its activities remain questionable.

Mentioning how money is being laundered by many private sector players, he said those who are responsible for such wrongdoings must be held accountable.

Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, head of external affairs at British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, said his company, which has been doing business in the country for 112 years, is aware of its social responsibility.

BAT Bangladesh has been continuously arranging different programmes for afforestation, supplying drinking water, and more aimed at protecting the environment.

Ahmed suggested forming a separate platform to ensure the reporting of corporate social responsibility programmes run by different private firms.

Shamima Akhter, director of Unilever Bangladesh, claimed that each of Unilever's 28 brands have social commitments.

Pointing out how protecting the environment is closely related to the SDGs, Akhter said Unilever Bangladesh has several programmes in this regard.

The company initially started a programme on plastic waste disposal with the Narayanganj City Corporation and now plans to expand it, she added.

While informing that women comprise 42 per cent of their workforce, Akhter said that Unilever Bangladesh is yet to engage women in marketing at a mentionable level but is trying to increase their participation at the marginal level.

Fakhrul Ahsan, chief technical advisor of the UNDP, said the private sector must be brought into the fold for achieving the SDGs as it is the main driving force for development.

Underscoring the need for coordinating related activities from the upazila to national level, he said the marginal people need to be engaged as well.

Syed Ishtiaque Reza, JI Mamun and Mainul Alam, senior journalists from different media houses, Md Shafiqul Alam Jewel, director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, and Bashira Harun, director of the Suhana and Anis Ahmed Foundation, also spoke.

The event was moderated by Saidul Islam, a special correspondent of Daily Ittefaq.