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In a significant milestone for development cooperation in Bangladesh, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has signed a Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
UNOPS Bangladesh Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Director Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, Chief of Protocol Nayem Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Chief of Protocol Bidosh Chandra Barman, and Director General (UN) Md. Emdadul Islam Chowdhury — attended the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on September 11.
The signatories to the HCA were the Executive Director of UNOPS, Jorge Moreira da Silva, and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, reports UNB.
The Host Country Agreement marks a pivotal moment in UNOPS' ongoing commitment to supporting Bangladesh in achieving its national development agenda, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNOPS has been a key partner to the Government of Bangladesh, national NGOs, donors, partners and civil society in addressing critical challenges, particularly in the areas of climate resilience, environmental sustainability, sustainable procurement, infrastructure development, and technical capacity building.
UNOPS has a long-standing presence in Bangladesh, with a track record dating back to 2003. Over the years, the organisation has played a vital role in capacity development, infrastructure building, and strengthening national systems.
This includes support in procurement, human resources management, finance, and project management.
The aim has been to empower communities and enhance their resilience against the impacts of climate change, among other pressing issues.
UNOPS’s unique blend of private sector agility with public sector accountability brings forth a strong value proposition.
One notable achievement in UNOPS' partnership with Bangladesh was its role as a fiduciary management agent for the 'Strengthening Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Programme in Bangladesh.'
Funded by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, this programme has significantly impacted disaster-affected communities in Bangladesh.
It improved access to essential services such as education, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and gender-based violence prevention, and addressed basic food needs.
UNOPS has also collaborated closely with the Government of Bangladesh and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to enhance workplace safety in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector. The organization has procured and installed specialized laboratory equipment and supported the strengthening of the vaccine testing laboratory of the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA).
Additionally, UNOPS has contributed to expanding oxygen therapy capacity in Bangladesh by procuring and installing pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) plants at 29 government hospitals nationwide.
The Host Country Agreement further solidifies UNOPS' commitment to supporting Bangladesh's development journey.
It is expected to facilitate and enhance cooperation between UNOPS and the Government of Bangladesh, fostering continued collaboration on critical development projects that promote sustainable development, resilience, and inclusive growth.
Bangladesh is the Vice President of UNOPS’s Executive Board.