MDG success and failures

The latest report on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) states that Bangladesh has managed to achieve the poverty alleviation target three years before the stipulated time. However, we have not been able to achieve success in all eight goals.

Bangladesh has met the goals for poverty alleviation, increasing the rate of universal primary education, decreasing infant mortality and improving maternal health care. It is certainly noteworthy that a country beset with a burgeoning population and political unrest, has managed to meet the poverty alleviation goal three years early. But there is no room for complacence. The poverty rate has fallen to 24.8%, but that means 39.2 million people still live below the poverty line and 20.4 million below the lower poverty line. We must bring the poverty rate to zero.

The report indicates that, poverty in remote and char (river island) areas, income imbalance and less participation of women in economic activities, are the main challenges. We too feel that these areas must be seriously addressed to tackle the challenge of overall economic development in the country. The benefits of development must reach every corner of the country, and women must take part in economic activities alongside men.

At the next UN General Assembly, the 15-year Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be taken up. We need to use past experience to meet these new goals as soon as possible. The expanse of SDG is wide. In place of eight goals there will be 17.

To achieve these goals, there must be good governance and political stability. We have achieved the low middle income country status. If we keep our eye on the goal, it won’t be difficult to achieve the middle income status by 2021.