HPM Sheikh Hasina for making Bangladesh a role model in achieving SDGs

"We have to prepare an action plan to make Bangladesh as an example to be followed by the world," she said in a written statement marking the opening of a national workshop on preparation of country paper on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) at the Prime Minister's Office.

Sheikh Hasina added: "I am confident that Bangladesh could show its capacity in this area the way it achieved the MDG goals."

Bangladesh, she said, by now showed epoch making success to ensure people access to safe drinking water and sanitation and now "we want to ensure safe water for hundred percent of our population".

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury joined as the special guest the workshop and read out the premier's statement as ill health debarred her from attending the event organized by Water Resources Ministry and Geographic Information Service (CEGIS).

Five government organisations --DPHE, DoE, WARPO, BWDB and DBHWD – in association with relevant departments and agencies backed by expert assistances prepared six draft concept papers along with the action plan on six SDG 6 targets.

The draft action plan will be finalized after considering the feedback from the participants of the workshop and thereafter, a country paper will be prepared.

Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, State Minister for Water M Nazrul Islam, Bir Pratik, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad, PMO Secretary Suraiya Bagum and Senior Secretary of the Water Resources Minister Jafar Ahmed Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina, a Special Advisor of UN High Level Panel on Water, said Bangladesh already formulated a national policy on water, water supply and sewerage policy, environment protection rules and Water Act to facilitate implementation of the SDG 6.

The Prime Minister said demand of water is increasing fast due to industrial and agricultural growth but a huge volume of water is being wasted because of natural adversities including climate change, drought, flood and water surge.

"Simultaneously ground water level is going down causing scarcity of water in lean period," Sheikh Hasina.

She said the government has adopted a water management policy by taking into account all related phenomenon of the country while "we have laid emphasis on using surface water reducing dependence on aquifer".

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken initiative for "Delta Plan- 2100" outlining the water resources management strategy for the next 100 years.

"In the world climate conference Bangladesh is pressing for creating a special fund for water and sanitation to help the countries affected by adverse impacts of climate change," she said.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a 15-year universal development plan adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2015 on conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Seventeen 17 SDGs with a total of 169 targets would guide the international development agenda.

SDG 6 goals seek to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all fixing six targets and two implementation mechanisms.

Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all,hygine, end of open defecation, special need to woemn, girls and vulnerable people, water quality, efficient use of water in all sectors, integrated water management, protection and restoration of water related ecosystem, international cooperation in water and participation of communities are included in the targets.