A two-day national workshop on strengthening evidence-based approaches to measuring corruption and improving accountability in Bangladesh concluded at the Six Seasons Hotel in Gulshan-2, Dhaka, on Tuesday.
Titled “Measuring Corruption for Reform: Strengthening Evidence and Accountability in Bangladesh,” the workshop was jointly organised by the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, its partner embassies of Switzerland, Norway, the UK, Denmark and Germany, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The workshop brought together government officials, development partners, academics, civil society representatives and international partners to strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity to monitor corruption trends and assess the impact of reform initiatives.
Over the two days, participants discussed international best practices, the operationalisation of the UNODC Statistical Framework to Measure Corruption, and ways to identify gaps, opportunities and priorities for improving corruption measurement and collaboration in Bangladesh.
Around 40 experts from relevant institutions reviewed existing data sources, including household surveys, administrative records and transparency assessments, to help build a comprehensive evidence base for ongoing national reforms.
The opening high-level session was attended by Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Justice AKM Asaduzzaman as the chief guest.
In his speech, he stressed that sustainable anti-corruption reforms require collective commitment, adding that strong institutions, effective oversight, public participation and a culture of integrity are essential to building a society free from corruption.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Director Md Emdadul Haque, who attended as a special guest, said the BBS remained committed to supporting national efforts to strengthen the evidence base for development and governance reforms within its mandate, and, where necessary, in collaboration with relevant institutions.
Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli said addressing corruption requires a collective shift in attitudes and mindsets, beginning in kindergartens and classrooms.
“Following rules is one thing, believing in the rules is a social precondition,” he said.
Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen said Bangladesh would be among the first countries to implement the UNODC Statistical Framework to Measure Corruption if the initiative moves forward, describing it as a positive and practical step that would attract international attention.
UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Max Tunon underscored the strategic importance of measuring corruption and assessing the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts for good governance, sustainable development and public trust in institutions.
He reaffirmed the UN system’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and relevant resolutions of the Conference of the States Parties, particularly those related to corruption measurement.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening evidence-based public policies through the adoption of the UNODC statistical framework to demonstrate the actual impact of anti-corruption efforts in Bangladesh.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman highlighted the need to strengthen institutional capacity to generate credible corruption-related data.
“The problem in Bangladesh is often not so much the generation of data, as the lack of interest and commitment to use the available data and knowledge that already exist on corruption,” he said.
He also called for exploring innovative approaches to measuring the comparative implications of the multi-trillion-dollar global money-laundering economy for source and host economies.
Dr Sofie Schuette, principal adviser at the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre at the Chr Michelsen Institute, and Shah Mohammad Naheeaan, head of office at UNODC, also attended the high-level session.
Schuette stressed the importance of data in driving reforms, saying credible evidence could help Bangladesh translate anti-corruption commitments into meaningful change by guiding reforms, strengthening accountability and making progress measurable.
The workshop concluded on Tuesday with panel reflections from representatives of key oversight bodies and development partners on establishing sustainable accountability mechanisms.