UNDP to focus more on development goals

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will further tailor its schemes towards the attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for Bangladesh, said the UN body.
“The next UNDP country programme will provide a last push to achieve the MDG by 2015 -- an important milestone towards Bangladesh's Vision 2021,” said UNDP Country Director Stefan Priesner at a function on Thursday at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.
For the period of 2012-16, the UNDP has resolved to work collaboratively with Bangladesh government on poverty reduction, promoting a more inclusive economic growth, fostering democratic governance and supporting Bangladesh to address climate and environment issues, Priesner said.
The programme was jointly organised by Economic Relations Division of the government and the UNDP to highlight the UN body's last six years' performances in Bangladesh.
During its last country programme (2006-11), the UNDP worked with more than 20 government ministries as well as the private sector on brick kiln projects, climate change mitigation, and access to information.
The programme delivery rose from $24 million in 2006 -- evenly split between the UNDP itself and donors -- to $82 million in 2011 with over 80 percent from donor funding.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith was the chief guest at the event, where he delivered a speech acknowledging the role the UN body played in introducing voter ID cards, in poverty reduction and securing access to information and in environmental issues.
“I would like to pay tribute to the UNDP for all the achievements,” Muhith said.
ERD Senior Secretary Iqbal Mahmood and UNDP Resident Representative Neal Walker also spoke on the occasion.