The MDGs reflect the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. Bangladesh has made noteworthy progress in the attainment of MDGs during 1990-2000. Bangladeshs advancement towards MDGs is evident in human development, for example attainment of gender parity in primary and secondary school enrolment.

Mid-way through to the 2015 target of MDGs attainment, Bangladesh has covered significant grounds and can safely be said to be on track in relation to most of the targets. A midterm review of progress at the aggregate level shows that Bangladesh is making progressive strides in reducing poverty, already bringing down the poverty gap ratio to 9 against 2015 target of 8 with the rate of poverty reduction being 1.34 percent in relation to the required rate of 1.23 percent. With regard to targets such as expansion of primary and secondary education, infant and child mortality rate, containing the spread and fatality of malaria and tuberculosis, reforestation, access to safe drinking water and sanitation latrines especially in urban areas, Bangladesh has done remarkably and may well reach several of these targets before the stipulated time. The country has already achieved gender parity in primary and secondary education and in the wage employment in the non-agriculture sector.

However, among the challenges that Bangladesh faces, improving maternal health is a major concern. Maternal mortality, although currently on track, should be focused on more, particularly in the backdrop of recent flood and cyclones. The country is also struggling in terms of maintaining protected areas, specially the wet lands, for bio-diversity. Access to safe drinking water and sanitary latrines particularly in the rural areas is also an aspect where focus is required. Yet another challenge that Bangladesh faces is in addressing certain pockets of poverty that are lagging far behind with respect to the national averages and where the benefits of MDGs attainment need to be specifically reached. These areas include the urban slums, the hill tracts, coastal belts and other ecologically vulnerable areas.

After the implementation of the first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Unlocking the Potential: National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (NSAPR) prepared in 2005, the Government of Bangladesh is currently in the process of finalizing its second PRSP titled Moving Ahead.

The newly aligned project Support to Monitoring PRS and MDGs in Bangladesh essentially delineates UNDP COs efforts towards MDGs progress and attainment in Bangladesh. The broad objectives of the project include two-pronged approach which involves a) MDGs-aligned National Strategies, Policy research, analysis and advocacy b) Location of MDGs at the sub-national levels. (more...)