DHAKA - Speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, today emphasized the crucial role of Members of Parliament (MPs) in establishing a sustainable, discrimination-less, and human resource-based society. He highlighted that the country’s development could be further accelerated by integrating issues related to demographic transition, demographic dividend, and sustainable development into parliamentary discussions and formulating effective laws and policies.
Addressing the Workshop
The Speaker made these remarks while addressing an orientation workshop titled “The Role of Parliament in Achieving Demographic Dividend, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Implementing the ICPD Commitments” as the chief guest at the oath room of the Jatiya Sangsad. The workshop was organized under the Strengthening Parliament’s Capacity in Population and Development Issues (SPCPD) project.
Key Themes Discussed
Ahmad stressed the need to transform the country’s large youth population into skilled human resources to effectively utilize the demographic dividend for socio-economic development. He also mentioned the formation of the Bangladesh Parliamentarians’ Forum on Population and Development (BAPPD), with strategic support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to further strengthen lawmakers’ roles in legislating and formulating policies on population and development issues.
Government Initiatives and Future Goals
The Speaker said Bangladesh is at a historic juncture, and the government’s various initiatives would play an important role in implementing this year’s World Population Day theme: “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World.” He expressed hope that the SPCPD project would contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, gender equality, youth development, and climate change.
Chief Whip’s Remarks
Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, stating that Bangladesh is currently in a demographic phase where a large proportion of the population is young. He emphasized the need for planned investment in quality education, technical skills, and improved healthcare for young people to convert the demographic dividend into economic prosperity. Failure to do so, he warned, could turn this potential into social and economic challenges.
Condolences and Attendance
At the workshop, the Speaker and other speakers expressed deep condolences at the death of former Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar and prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul. Members of Parliament, the UNFPA Bangladesh Country Representative, the project director, and senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present at the programme.
