Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's call for collective action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh.
Our acknowledgement of the fact that the country is lagging behind on the SDGs, and that we are in need of stronger international cooperation, is a step in the right direction.
But while such cooperation matters, Bangladesh must also confront the challenges that stand in the way of a better future for its people.
This would mean ensuring that children receive quality education, families can access affordable healthcare, and young people have opportunities for decent work.
It would also mean reducing poverty and inequality, while ensuring that economic growth reaches ordinary citizens rather than leaving vulnerable communities behind.
Food security and nutrition also deserve greater attention. Rising living costs can quickly undermine progress against poverty and hunger, particularly for low-income households.
Social protection must therefore reach those who need it most, while agricultural productivity and food supply chains need to become more resilient.
Climate resilience must remain another central priority. Bangladesh continues to face floods, cyclones, river erosion and other climate-related threats. Stronger infrastructure, better urban planning, cleaner rivers and cities, and greater investment in adaptation are essential.
The country must also prepare carefully for its graduation from the least developed country category. Greater productivity, export diversification, skilled workers, and stronger institutions will be essential to sustaining progress through that transition.
International partners have an important role in providing financing, technology, expertise, and climate support, but Bangladesh must make sure that these resources address genuine national priorities.
Ultimately, the SDGs should be judged through the everyday experiences of Bangladeshis: Whether children learn, families remain healthy, young people find decent work, and communities can withstand economic and environmental shocks.
Collective action is necessary, but for Bangladesh, the goal must remain clear: Development that is measurable in improved lives, greater security, and a more resilient future.
