Dhaka-Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi yesterday said the government is committed to fully implement the CHT (Chittagong Hill Tracts) peace accord.“The historic peace accord has created an environment for peace in the turbulent Chittagong Hill Tracts. It helped beginning of much-expected development there. The present government is sincere to fully implement the accord,” he said a seminar at a city hotel.
The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) jointly organized seminar on “Sustainable Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Inclusive Growth and a Prosperous Society” in observance of Bangladesh-ICIMOD Day.
Rizvi accused the then Pakistani Military ruler of flooding the plain lands of the hills in the name of generating only 200mg electricity. He also accused another military ruler of creating instability in the hills through settling people that that led to two decades of troubles.
State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing called upon all local and international agencies including ICIMOD to work together to maintain hilly culture and lifestyle which is natural characteristic
The other speakers put emphasized the need to take coordinated effort to ensure sustainable development in the hills in line with the SDGs.
Presided over by Secretary of Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and chairperson of ICIMOD Board of Governors Naba Bikram Kishore Tripura, the inaugural ceremony was also addressed among others, by ICIMOD Director General Dr David Molden, Dr Margaret Catley-Carlson and Dr Eklabya. Economist Dr Golam Rasul made power point presnetaiotn on the topic.
A total of 42 representatives from 20 countries including Australia, UK. Austria, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and eight members states—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan took part in the day long programme.
PKSF chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman, BCAS executive director Dr Atiq Rahman, Circle chief of Chakma community Barrister Devasish Roy, Dr Ainun Nishat, Dr Teressa Christina Fogelberg, chief conservator of Forest Md Yunus Ali also took part in the panel discussions.
The participants highlighted fostering sustainable development in the CHT region and achieving prosperity, peace, and stability.-STAFF REPORTER
