DHAKA : UNDP is ready to support orientation programmes and training for newly-elected members of parliament, strengthen parliamentary committees and implement gender equality policies, UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stephen Rodriques said today.
Rodriques made the remarks when he made a courtesy call on Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Barrister Kayser Kamal at the Deputy Speaker’s office here.
During the meeting, Kayser Kamal said UNDP had been working closely in Bangladesh and playing an important role in supporting various training programmes for lawmakers.
He said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had also been making positive contributions to democratic reforms in the country.
Referring to the UNDP resident representative’s visit to the July Uprising Memorial Museum, Kamal said the country’s younger generation had brought an end to the previous government’s authoritarian rule, said a press release of parliament secretariat.
He said Generation Z had inspired resistance against authoritarian rulers in many countries and that a united movement by young people, students and the public had ended authoritarian rule in Bangladesh.
Kayser Kamal said the current democratic government had been elected through the people’s voting rights and described its governance as liberal and democratic.
He said the government remained committed to upholding democracy in the country.
Although Bangladesh achieved independence through the Liberation War in 1971, the country could not make a democratic transition immediately, he said.
The Deputy Speaker credited Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with establishing multiparty democracy in Bangladesh and said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had advanced democracy in 1991.
He also highlighted Khaleda Zia’s contributions to the peaceful transfer of power and the introduction of the caretaker government system.
Stephen Rodriques said UNDP’s partnership with Bangladesh began in 1972 and that the organisation continued to work to promote global and regional cooperation.
He said UNDP remained ready to assist the parliament in arranging orientation courses and training programmes for first-time lawmakers.
He also expressed interest in supporting parliamentary committees and implementing gender equality policies.
During discussions with the delegation, Kayser Kamal stressed the need for bureaucratic reforms in the state structure.
Officials from UNDP and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat attended the meeting.
