Partnership for sustainability

On Monday, July 26, 2021, at 5:30 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time), the SDGs Action Research Center at SIMEC Research Center, in collaboration with IDEA, jointly organized a public talk on “Partnership for Sustainability.”
Professor Dr. Dora Marinova, Director of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, delivered the keynote address. In her presentation, Prof. Marinova emphasized the importance of effective partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a world deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that to overcome emerging challenges in the post-pandemic global order, there is no alternative to pro-poor public–private partnerships. Prof. Marinova, a globally recognized author and researcher in sustainability, also highlighted that Bangladesh is the only country in the world where the gender gap is reversed.
Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Former Principal Coordinator (SDGs), observed that Bangladesh has already undertaken several initiatives to localize the SDGs while fostering effective partnerships between private and non-profit organizations.
Kazi M. Aminul Islam, Retired Executive Chairman of BIDA, Retired Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, and Chairman of the Innovation and Development Associates (IDEA) Foundation, stressed the need for community networking and renewed policy frameworks for SDG implementation. He pointed out that the pandemic has significantly impacted overall development, requiring innovative approaches moving forward.
The event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Md. Monirul Islam, Research Advisor at SIMEC Research Center and Dean of the College of Engineering Technology, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology. It was moderated by Dr. Ratan Kumar Roy, Program Coordinator at SIMEC Research Center and Editor-in-Chief of the SDG Newsletter.
A wide range of scholars, policymakers, and government officials participated in the discussion, sharing their insights on the urgent need for partnerships to exchange knowledge, ideas, and information during this difficult period. They also underlined the critical role of such collaborations in achieving the SDGs and ensuring a better, more inclusive world for all.