Bangladesh presents first national SDGs communications strategy, action plan

Bangladesh government, in collaboration with the UN, has presented the First National SDGs Communications Strategy and Action Plan (NSCSAP) for 2024-2030.

The NSCSAP is a comprehensive strategy to support awareness raising and progress on the SDGs nationwide.

SDG Affairs Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), on Thursday presented the final draft of the strategy reaffirming its commitment to enhance awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and foster localisation.

The NSCSAP targets all societal segments, focusing on marginalised communities, youth, and residents of rural, urban, and coastal regions. It is built on four core objectives: promoting inclusivity, educating and empowering citizens, fostering multidimensional human development, and strengthening governance and social systems.

Developed through extensive consultations involving over 2,000 participants nationwide, the strategy implements a 4C Action Model: Collaboration, Communication, Campaigns, and Coordination.

It leverages various methods, including social marketing, behaviour change communications, and edutainment campaigns like 'Start Doing Good' to drive mass awareness and behavioural change.

The strategy sharing the event is titled 'United in Progress: Sharing the National SDGs'.

State Minister of Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat joined the function as the chief guest. He also addressed the event.

Special guests including Md Akhter Hossain, Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office; Md. Kawser Ahmed, Member (Secretary) of the General Economics Division at the Bangladesh Planning Commission; and Gwyn Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, were present.

Following the introductory remarks by UNOPS Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan, the final draft of the strategy was presented by Mohd. Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary (SDGs Affairs) at the Prime Minister's Office, and Nusrat Amin, Communications Senior Officer at UNOPS.

The state minister of information and broadcasting said that the integration is not merely a policy decision; it underscores our nation’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

"Let us leverage information, communication, and collective action to realise the Sustainable Development Goals and transform the vision of a Smart Bangladesh by 2041 into reality," he added.

SDGs Principal Coordinator Akhter Hossain emphasised the importance of the strategy, saying, "We want to make the strategy a functional one, and along with the government, the support from the private sector, development partners, academia, NGOs and CSOs will be crucial to make it happen.

Expressing the UN’s steadfast commitment to supporting Bangladesh in its transformative journey, UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis remarked, that the UN stands ready to provide ongoing technical assistance, capacity building, and resources to ensure the successful implementation of this strategy.

Md Kawser Ahmed said that the General Economics Division and the Planning Commission are fully committed to the finalisation and successful implementation of this strategy.

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