Kunming (Yunnan), June 9 (UNB) – China has said its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has brought new opportunities for Bangladesh and other countries in South and Southeast Asia. “We’re making every effort to speed up and make the region…
Category: Development
G-20 finance chiefs mull ‘fair tax’ reforms to boost growth
Fukuoka, Jun 8 (AP/UNB) — Finance chiefs of the Group of 20 major economies meeting in the Japanese city of Fukuoka debated Saturday over how to revise tax systems to ensure big companies pay their fair share and support economies…
Prince Moosa, lone BD trillionaire plans billions for charity
GreenWatch Dhaka EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Bangladesh is about to enter the lucrative medical arena and fearlessly do battle with the best the world has to offer. The days are numbered when Bangladeshis will feel the need to go overseas to be…
A call for concrete changes to achieve more gender equal world
By Princess Sarah Zeid Amman, May 29 2019 (IPS) – On the eve of the Women Deliver conference in Vancouver June 3-6, Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan interviewed Dr. Olfat Mahmoud, a Palestinian refugee and women’s rights advocate. Princess Sarah…
Unleash all creative potentials to achieve SDGs
Mostafa Kamal Majumder Recent official information and statistics affirm, Bangladesh is on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With four years of the 15-year time span to achieve 17 goals already spent, a government report says, ‘Bangladesh is…
Hasina wants to transform BD into another Japan
Dhaka, May 28 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shared her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s aspiration to transform Bangladesh into another Japan saying a new era with hope and harmony has begun in Japan. “Japan was always close…
Dhaka to sign US$ 2.5bn ODA deal during PM’s Tokyo visit
Dhaka, May 26 (UNB) – Bangladesh and Japan will sign their 40th ODA deal involving US$ 2.5 billion during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Japan visit on May 28-30 for implementing five projects as her visit is expected to bolster ties…
Govt working to improve living standard of people: PM
Dhaka, May 25 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the aim of her government is to improve the living standard of people and free the country from poverty. “We’re taking Bangladesh to the trajectory of development through…
Next BD annual dev plan to prioritise transport sector
Dhaka, May 21 – The National Economic Council (NEC) in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair on Tuesday approved a Taka 2,02,721 crore Annual Development Programme (ADP) outlay for the next fiscal giving highest priority to…
BD ministry disfavours cases against land acquisition notice
Dhaka, May 21, (UNB)- The Land Ministry on Tuesday issued a notice embargo on filing cases over land acquisition before seeking amends from the deputy commissioner. It says that there is no scope to receive any complaint after issuing four…
EED implements TK 22.59 billion uplift schemes in Rajshahi div
Education Engineering Department (EED) has implemented 5403 schemes involving around Taka 2259.12 crore in over last ten years in all eight districts under Rajshahi division. Implementation works of 503 other schemes are progressing with an estimated cost of around Taka…
Climate change is the battle of my life: UN chief
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres saw the frontline of “the battle against climate change” for himself on Thursday, by taking to the tropical waters of the South Pacific off the coast of Fiji, on a solar-powered boat. Mr. Guterres was…
A low-carbon Belt and Road
By Ma Jun and Simon Zadek Beijing – Discussions about climate action nowadays often focus on the largest past and current emitters. But, if one looks to the future, the biggest climate risks and opportunities lie in the more than…
Global convention on principles for building peace needed?
STOCKHOLM, May 17 2019 (IPS) – When the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) concluded a three-day forum on “Peace and Development” on May 16, the primary focus was the daunting challenges threatening global security, including growing military interventions, spreading humanitarian…
Ensure technologies not used to mislead public: UN chief
Dhaka, May 17 (UNB) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged everyone to work together to ensure that the digital economy delivers for all. “We must also recognise our shared responsibility to ensure that these technologies are not used…
Inclusive citizenship laws tend to foster economic growth
WASHINGTON DC, May 16 2019 (IPS) – The notion of citizenship has evolved over time. Historically, allegiance was typically to an ethnic group or a feudal lord. With the birth of the nation-state in the 19th century came the need to…
River as a companion: Titash ekti nadir naam – II
May 16, 2019 SANDRP Just as all festivities of a fisherfolk life are connected to the river, their dreams and nightmares are riverine too. “For several days I’ve been noticing something different in the river’s flow pattern-familiar calculation just don’t…
Spotlighting the ‘abilities’ in ‘disabilities’
UNITED NATIONS, May 14 2019 (IPS) – The power of sport can help make global sustainable development a reality, and such power transcends cultural, linguistic and even physical barriers. In recent years, disabled athletes have gained greater visibility—an essential step in…
55 dredgers to maintain navigability of Bangladesh rivers
Dhaka, May 13 (UNB)- Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is going to procure 55 dredgers in the coming days, aiming to increase navigability of the country’s rivers and ensure smooth waterway communication. According to an official document obtained by…
Rural education: Moving past poor solutions for poor people
NEW DELHI, May 6 2019 (IPS) – Communities are treated as passive recipients, giving them no say in the functioning of their schools. Here’s why this needs to change. During our work with people living around the Ranthambhor National Park…
Loss of biodiversity puts future generations at risk
PARIS, May 7 2019 (IPS) – An alarming report about the massive loss of biodiversity around the world warns that future generations will be at risk if urgent action isn’t taken to protect the more than one million species of plants…
Want social change? Give communities more agency
By Ashif Shaikh DEWAS, India, May 3 2019 (IPS) – No external force can bring about real change in society. Only the community itself can. There are 650 districts in India. However, most nonprofits work only in a few districts.…
Workers change the world
The president of the GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament reflects on her retirement at the forthcoming elections and on the battles to come. On May 1st we celebrate the achievements of workers throughout the world and renew our commitment…
Renewables to become the norm for the Caribbean
KINGSTON, Apr 29 2019 (IPS) – Jamaica and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are embracing renewable energy as part of their plans to become decarbonised in the coming decades. The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, has committed the island…
BD can prosper more with better jobs for women: WB
Dhaka, Apr 28 – Bangladesh can prosper further by ensuring more and better jobs for women, said a World Bank report released on Sunday. Bangladesh is among the few countries in South Asia that has increased female employment in the…
For digital inclusion leaving no one behind
‘Take a risk, challenge yourself and always be positive’ Dhaka, April 21 – Sonia Bashir Kabir, the outgoing managing director of Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Laos, wants to play a role in making technology available for the citizens…
Use of nuke energy to ensure sustainable development urged
While countries all over the world are committed to cut down their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement goal, nuclear experts gathered at the 11th edition of the international atomic energy forum- Atomexpo 2019, held in Sochi, Russia…
IFPRI launches global food policy report
Dhaka, April 18 – The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), an international agricultural research centre, on Thursday launched ‘global food policy report 2019’ that highlights Bangladesh as one of South Asia’s leaders in improving rural development indicators and food…
Solar irrigation infuses new dimension to Barind agriculture
Solar pump irrigation has brought a new dimension in agriculture in the drought-prone Barind tract benefiting its people in many ways. “Solar power irrigation is not only contributing to lessening pressure on fossil fuel driven power supply but also reducing…
Smart cities hold key to sustainable development
BANGKOK, Thailand, Apr 3 2019 (IPS) – Asia and the Pacific’s phenomenal development has been a story of rapid urbanization. As centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity, cities have drawn talent from across our region and driven economic growth which has…