Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan has expressed the expectation of working in an integrated way with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to make the country's local government institutions more capable and effective.

The minister expressed this expectation during a courtesy meeting with UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Rodriguez at his office at the Secretariat today. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was present at the meeting.

During the meeting, various aspects of the development and capacity building of the local government system, the upcoming local government elections, and the organization of joint training programs for those concerned ahead of the elections were discussed. Besides, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNDP's cooperation in various development projects also came up for discussion.

The Local Government Minister said it is urgent to increase the capacity of local government institutions to deliver government services to people's doorsteps and  UNDP's technical expertise could be helpful for the government in developing skills and increasing institutional capacity at the local level.

He further said that making local government effective is directly linked to the country's overall development and the implementation of the SDGs. Therefore, more effective initiatives need to be taken in this sector through mutual cooperation with development partners.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said training programs are important for increasing the preparation and skills of those concerned ahead of the local government elections. “If such programs can be organized jointly with UNDP, it will play a positive role in increasing the capacity of the local government system,” he said. 

Secretary of the Local Government Division Md. Shahidul Hasan, UNDP Assistant Resident Representatives Sardar Asaduzzaman and Anwarul Haque, International Project Manager, also Technical   Advisor  Yugesh Pradhanang, and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.