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Published Date: Jul 31, 2025

As Bangladesh enters the final stretch toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the recently submitted Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2025 serves as both a progress report and a call to action.

With just five years remaining, the time to strengthen implementation mechanisms, close inclusion gaps, and accelerate delivery is now.

Since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, Bangladesh has demonstrated commendable political will and policy alignment with global development priorities. The submission of three VNRs—in 2017, 2020, and 2025—reflects this sustained commitment. Moreover, the 2025 VNR marks a significant advancement: the inclusion of a dedicated chapter on localising the SDGs, acknowledging the need to shift from top-down development to more participatory and decentralised models.

This approach, known as the whole-of-society model, is not only consistent with the global SDG framework but also strategically aligned with Bangladesh's national goals of inclusive growth, digital transformation, and social equity. It emphasises collaboration between government, civil society, the private sector, and local communities to ensure that no one is left behind.

However, as the VNR itself notes, challenges remain in operationalising this model at scale.

The Key bottlenecks include:

  • Gaps in sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data limit the ability to target the most underserved groups.
  • Capacity limitations at the local government level hinder the effective delivery of services.
  • Insufficient integration of non-state actors, especially NGOs, and grassroots organisations into formal planning and monitoring frameworks.

These challenges present strategic opportunities for more innovative, more accountable governance.

One example of how civil society can complement government efforts is the work of ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB). Since 2015, AAB has aligned its programs with national SDG priorities, working in partnership with the Citizens' Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, and other stakeholders to conduct Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). These reviews, built around community feedback, have enhanced transparency and grounded the SDG agenda in local realities.

In addition to fostering accountability, AAB's work has delivered tangible results:

  • 500,000 people received emergency support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 50,000 farmers supported with climate-smart agriculture inputs (SDGs 1 & 13).
  • 37,345 workers trained in labor rights (SDG 8).
  • Over 10,000 cases of gender-based violence addressed and 12 women's economic spaces established (SDG 5).
  • Technical partnerships with BTEB, BITAC, and a2i to align vocational training with market needs and improve youth employability.

AAB's experience shows non-state actors can address gaps, especially in underserved regions, proving the whole-of-society approach is practical for reaching the last mile.

Yet, to move from isolated successes to systemic change, several institutional shifts are needed:

  1. Stronger integration of local government units—particularly Union Parishads and Upazila Parishads—into national development planning, including budgetary and technical support for SDG delivery at the local level.
  2. Formalised roles for civil society and NGOs in SDG monitoring and reporting, including space within national coordination mechanisms.
  3. Investment in data systems capable of tracking progress for marginalised populations, including persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and geographically isolated communities.
  4. Incentivising innovation, especially from youth-led and green initiatives, to align economic transformation with environmental sustainability.
  5. Cross-ministerial collaboration ensures that SDG implementation is not siloed but is integrated across sectors—from education and health to climate and finance.

This is not just about meeting global goals—it's about advancing Bangladesh's development priorities. Inclusive, data-driven development is the foundation of economic resilience, social cohesion, and political stability. As global challenges, from climate change to displacement, become increasingly complex, responsive systems and representatives will be the most effective.

The 2025 VNR's chapter on "Leaving No One Behind" provides a vital starting point, using available data to identify key gaps in access to education, digital connectivity, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other essential services. But moving forward, what's needed is a national roadmap to close these gaps—one that is co-created, costed, and backed by measurable targets.

By investing now in a more inclusive model of development, policymakers and political leaders have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond 2030. They can demonstrate that Bangladesh not only aspires to global leadership but also delivers on it.