RC Induction 2015
Country Case Package
Bangladesh
1
RC Induction -- Country Case Package -- Bangladesh1
Notice: This document compiles and provides information relevant to Bangladesh with
the sole purpose of developing case-built scenarios as learning activities during the RC
Induction 2014. Many sources were utilized to develop this document including
Bangladeshi Government and UNCT; nonetheless and unless specifically noted, the
document does not express the Bangladeshi Government or UNCT views, opinions, nor
agreement with all information provided about the country.
Contents
Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Climate ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Human development ................................................................................................................................ 4
Bangladesh and the MDGs ........................................................................................................................ 4
Health ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Trade and industry .................................................................................................................................... 6
Occupational safety .................................................................................................................................. 7
Civil society and non-governmental organizations ................................................................................... 7
Middle income status aspiration .............................................................................................................. 8
Official direct assistance to Bangladesh ................................................................................................... 9
Transnational and humanitarian issues .................................................................................................. 10
Bangladeshi diaspora .............................................................................................................................. 10
Political stability ...................................................................................................................................... 11
The UN System in Bangladesh ................................................................................................................ 12
Annex A. Map of Bangladesh .................................................................................................................. 14
Annex B. Current UNCT in Bangladesh (March 2014)............................................................................. 15
1
The main source for this document is the UN System website in Bangladesh: http://www.un-bd.org/
2
RC Induction -- Country Case Package -- Bangladesh
Notice: This document compiles and provides information relevant to Bangladesh with
the sole purpose of developing case-built scenarios as learning activities during the RC
Induction 2014. Many sources were utilized to develop this document including
Bangladeshi Government and UNCT; nonetheless and unless specifically noted, the
document does not express the Bangladeshi Government or UNCT views, opinions, nor
agreement with all information provided about the country.
Overview
Bangladesh is located in Southern Asia, bordered by India to the north, west and east, Myanmar
to the southeast, and the Bay of Bengal to the south. The country’s total land area is 143,998
sq. km, and occupies one of the largest river deltas in the world. Its topography is comprised of
fertile alluvial plains and an extensive network of rivers.
The country became a sovereign nation in 1971 following a nine month war of liberation from
the then West Pakistan in 1971 and became a republic after a liberation war. The capital is
located in Dhaka.
With over 154 million inhabitants on a landmass of 147,570 square kilometers, Bangladesh is
among the most densely populated countries in the world. See map in Annex A.
Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy. The Chief of State is President is Abdul Hamid
(since 24 April 2013). Abdul HAMID served as acting president following the death of Zillur
RAHMAN in March 2013; HAMID was subsequently elected by the National Parliament and was
sworn in 24 April 2013. The Head of Government is Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 6
January 2009; reelected 5 January 2014).
The vast majority of the population are Muslim (overwhelmingly Sunni); most others are Hindu.
Bangla is the official and majority language. Hindi and Urdu are minority languages, and English
is also widely used. The population is largely rural and youthful, with 60% of the population 25
years old or younger.
The rural economy is largely based on agriculture (crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, etc.), and
garment manufacturing, which is the largest urban-based (and second leading foreign exchange
earning) sector.
The economic growth has been impressive at over 6 % annually, but various challenges—
including a fast-growing population, an inefficient energy sector, infrastructure bottlenecks, and
frequent natural disasters—pose obstacles to greater progress.
3
Climate
The climate is subtropical and governed by the annual monsoon (June to September) which
brings heavy rainfall to most parts of the country, with an average summer temperature of
approximately 27C (80F). Winter is mild and relatively dry with an average temperature of
approximately 16C (53F). Due to its unique geographic location, Bangladesh remains one of the
world’s most environmentally vulnerable countries and is susceptible to devastating cyclones
and floods.
With rising sea levels, low-lying plains are exposed to flooding and salinization. Concurrently,
global climate change threatens to dramatically increase the frequency of major cyclones.
Climate change adaptation strategies have been widely adopted in Bangladesh and significant
investments in disaster preparedness have been prioritized, which include the development of
early warning systems and the creation of a network of flood and cyclone shelters. These efforts
have resulted in a significant decrease in the number of lives lost each year. However, natural
disasters are still responsible for loss of livelihoods and property, which most heavily impacts
the poor. Improvements in disaster mitigation and recovery work targeting the most vulnerable
populations remain an urgent priority.
Human development
Bangladesh’s Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2013 was 0.515, placing the country in
the low human development category, and 146th out of 187 countries and territories. Between
1980 and 2013, its HDI value increased (on a comparable basis) from 0.303 to 0.515, an
increase of some 70%. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) for 2013 ranked Bangladesh 111th
among 146 countries, with a value of 0.518. Life expectancy at birth was 69.2 years, mean
years of schooling was 4.8 years and expected years of schooling 8.1 years.
While poverty reduction in both urban and rural areas has been remarkable, the number of
people living below the poverty line remains significant. Despite the strong track record, around
43.3 % of the population lives below USD 1.25 per day, and improving access to quality
services for this vulnerable group is a priority. There are also many people who could fall back
into poverty if they lose their jobs or are affected by natural disasters.
Bangladesh and the MDGs
Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in many key areas. Bangladesh has achieved
remarkable progress toward attaining MDG – 4: reduce child mortality (44 deaths per 1000 live
births in 2011 compared to 146 in 1990). More recently, in the South Asia region, Bangladesh
and Maldives have both achieved the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by two-thirds,
between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR).
Positive results have also been noted for MDG-1 on poverty alleviation, MDG-2 on universal
primary education, MDG-3 on gender equality and MDG -5 on reducing maternal mortality
(falling from 574 deaths per 100, 000 live births in 1990 to 209 in 2011). Specific successes
include the net enrolment in primary education (98.7% in 2011), gender parity in education,
immunization coverage, controlling tuberculosis, and the low prevalence of HIV/AIDS .
4
However, several MDGs challenges remain. These include: weak nutritional indicators, notably
children under-five who are underweight (36.4% in 2011); completion of primary education (only
79.5% of those enrolled in grade one complete grade 5); employment participation rates,
especially for women (59.3% overall in 2010); and a number of environmental weaknesses –
deforestation, access to water and slum conditions in urban areas .
In the area of women’s empowerment, Bangladesh has undertaken several positive initiatives in
recent years to establish women’s human rights and gender equality. The government has
announced a National Women’s Development Policy (NWDP) to promote and enhance equality
for women. The NWDP aims to promote economic opportunities for women and broader
empowerment through participation in decision making and gender equality. Women's
participation in politics has significantly increased with successive elections. Over the years,
women’s share of seats in parliament was 12.7% in 1991–95, and 13 %, 12.4 %, 18.6 % and
20.0 % in 1996-2000, 2001-06, 2008 and 2012 respectively.
Women now occupy key high-level positions in the High and Supreme Courts, police, and the
armed services. In UN Peacekeeping, Bangladesh remains a leading troop contributor with
more than 10,000 personnel deployed in UN missions worldwide. The country now also
contributes the largest number of female police to UN peacekeeping operations who play a
critical role protecting women and girls, and providing psychological and emotional support for
victims of sexual violence.
Finally, to ensure the achievement of the MDGs and national development objectives, it is
necessary to not only focus on the crosscutting issues of good governance, gender and
equitable economic growth, but also identify emerging issues such as food and nutrition
security, rapid urbanization, and climate change.
Health2
There are clear indications that considerable progress is being made to improve the health of
the people of Bangladesh. Over the last decade life expectancy at birth has increased, and both
infant and child mortality rates have decreased. Signs of a beginning of a demographic
transition suggest that strategies aimed at reducing fertility are taking effect, though this also
implies that the health system must plan its response to an increasingly older population with
accompanying specific health needs.
Nevertheless, there remain many areas of concern over health development. For example,
maternal mortality remains unacceptably high. Lowering maternal mortality is contingent upon
improving the management of pregnancy, though underlying causes including maternal
malnutrition must also be addressed.
Child health in general has improved, though the neonatal mortality rate remains high and
contributes disproportionately to overall infant mortality. The immunization programme has been
recognized for its sustained high coverage; however, only 71% of infants are fully immunized.
Measles presents an additional challenge to the immunisation programme with an estimated
20000 children dying from the disease each year. Efforts must be intensified to ensure access
to safe immunization and strengthen surveillance of all vaccine-preventable diseases.
2
Source, WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2008-2013 and WHO 2010 Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)
country profile.
5
Malnutrition continues to be a serious problem with nearly half of the children being moderately
underweight, one-third suffering from stunting and a large number of adolescents, girls in
particular, being malnourished. Adolescent health requires closer attention, particularly in the
context of reproductive health.
Bangladesh is at risk of an HIV/AIDS epidemic. This is due to the high prevalence of the
disease in neighbouring countries and the limited access to counselling and testing services on
account of social stigma. There are also concerns of HIV-tuberculosis coinfection, with
Bangladesh being among the countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis. Malaria is
endemic in the east and north-east parts of the country with nearly 11 million people at risk of
the most dangerous type of infection, P. falciparum, which has the highest rate of complications
and mortality.
Neglected diseases such as kala-azar and filariasis demand more attention if they are to be
eliminated as planned. Dengue outbreaks occur on an annual basis in urban areas and more
effort is needed to control mosquito breeding. There are also threats from emerging diseases
including SARS and avian influenza.
In 2010, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 52% of deaths compared to
40% in 1990. Underlying factors that contribute to the increasing burden of NCDs include
unplanned urbanization, changing dietary habits, unregulated tobacco consumption, air
pollution, road traffic injury and lack of awareness about healthy behaviour.
Bangladesh is prone to natural disasters such as floods and cyclones that lead to outbreaks of
communicable diseases. During the floods of 2004, more than 400000 people suffered from
different diseases in the aftermath and required treatment. The health system must be further
strengthened, both in terms of its preparedness and response capability, to cope with this scale
of emergency.
In spite of palpable improvement in various sectors, the country’s health system still requires
further development to meet the basic health needs of the population. The centralized
management system of state health services contributes to the inequitable access to quality
health services, particularly in rural areas. Although the health workforce has been steadily
growing, Bangladesh continues to face a chronic shortage of and imbalance in their skill mix
and deployment. The supporting roles of community-based health workers and volunteers need
to be better integrated into the system. Effective regulation is required to ensure the quality of
health professionals’ education and practice, blood safety, and compliance of local
pharmaceutical companies with the international good manufacturing practice (GMP)
requirements.
Trade and industry3
Bangladesh has made significant economic progress over the past decade. Annual GDP growth
averages 6.25% in recent years (6.0 for 2013) and its per capita income was US$ 747 –
doubling in less than 20 years. The country’s economy is in transition from an agrarian to
industrial base. Although the share of agriculture within GDP has decreased steadily in recent
years, currently contributing less than 20% of GDP, it still employs 47% of the working
population, and a large share of the broader service sector remains dependent on agricultural
3
Source World Bank
6
outputs. Remittance inflows have more than doubled in the last five years, now accounting for
over 10% of GDP. It has continued to grow during the global financial crisis, playing a major role
in reducing poverty and increasing economic growth by driving consumer spending with a
strong positive effect on the balance of payments.
Poverty reduction and economic progress was possible largely due to the relatively inclusive
growth patterns and overall robust economic growth, accompanied by gradual structural
transformation with a greater share occupied by manufacturing and services. The country’s
principal industries include ready-made garments, textiles, chemical fertilizers, pharmaceuticals,
tea processing, sugar and leather goods. Principal minerals produced include natural gas, coal,
white clay and glass sand.
Sustained growth in recent years has generated higher demand for electricity, transport, and
telecommunication services, and contributed to widening infrastructure deficits. While the
population growth rate has declined, the labor force is growing rapidly. This can be turned into a
significant demographic dividend in the coming years, if more and better jobs can be created for
the growing number of job-seekers. Moreover, improving labor force participation and
productivity will help to release the potential of the economy. Exploiting the potential of regional
cooperation and making trade policy more conducive to a deepening and diversification of
exports will also play a vital role in the growth process.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report identified inadequate
infrastructure, inefficient government bureaucracy, corruption and political instability as critical
barriers to business and investment in Bangladesh. While the government has invested in the
expansion of oil and coal fired power-generation capacity, as well as awarding contracts for gas
exploration, chronic power and gas shortages increasingly constrain industrial growth, and
levels of investment in these sectors remain low. Furthermore, corruption may be hindering
economic progress and development. Transparency international ranks Bangladesh 136 out of
177 in its Corruption Perception Index of 2013 and in the 16% percentile rank in Control of
Corruption.
Occupational safety4
On 24 April 2013, the garment factory building "Rana Plaza" collapsed, killing more than 1,100
workers and injuring 2,500. One year after the global garment industry's worst-ever industrial
accident, the ILO together with the Government of Bangladesh, employers, trade unions and the
international community are working together to make sure it never happens again.
Civil society and non-governmental organizations5
From relief and rehabilitation, microcredit loan programs, and education to strategies of
watertreatment, NGO s have found a niche for themselves in the gap between society and
state, seeking to promote the people’s welfare through grassroots initiatives and development
programs. In a country with large numbers underemployed and unemployed, NGO s also
4
Source: ILO http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/activities/all/safer-garment-industry-in-bangladesh/lang-en/index.htm
5
Source: Asian Development BanK “Overview of NGOs and Civil Society – Bangladesh”
http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2008/CSB-BAN.pdf
7
provide much-needed job opportunities, stimulating small enterprise development, and inspiring
and equipping people from a traditionally agricultural society to pursue non-farm livelihoods. In
short, NGO s play an indispensable role in partnering with international development partners to
bring precious resources to the country during times of devastation, and implementing health
education and literacy programs.
NGO s in Bangladesh are participating in grassroots legal reform to target and empower the
most vulnerable portions of the population, in the hopes that such a reform will provide at least a
satisfactory solution to disputes where none was previously available. Few countries have
witnessed the dramatic growth of NGO s as much as Bangladesh, which currently has a total of
26,000 NGO s registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau (see below).
As a result of the legal vacuum in which vulnerable groups are unable to enforce their rights,
NGO s in Bangladesh have taken on an increasingly broad role in addressing legal and political
issues beyond their traditional focus, such as strengthening economic and social programs.
Evidence of NGO participation in judicial and legal reform in Bangladesh is growing.
On a local level, NGO s are partnering with bilateral aid agencies, such as the United States
Agency for International Development to strengthen traditional dispute resolution and mediation
procedures in rural villages, a technique used increasingly in developing countries where
customary law still predominates.
NGOs, such as the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and Bangladesh
Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), are working to expand public interest litigation, in part by
providing greater representation for poor people, and bringing them to light in both the public
and private sectors. Additionally, public interest litigation work done by BLAST has resulted in
victories in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh against the police for illegal detentions, abuse,
and corruption.
Middle income status aspiration
As indicated in the Government of Bangladesh’s Outline Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 20102021,6 Bangladesh aspires to be a middle-income country by 2021. This will require increasing
GDP growth to 7.5 to 8 % per year based on accelerated export and remittance growth. Both
public and private investment will need to increase as well. Growth will also need to be more
inclusive through creation of productive employment opportunities in the domestic economy. To
sustain accelerated and inclusive growth, Bangladesh will need to manage the urbanization
process more effectively, as well as prepare for adaptation to climate change impacts.
Becoming a middle-income country will require substantial efforts on many fronts. These include
maintaining macroeconomic stability; strengthening revenue mobilization; tackling energy and
infrastructure deficits; deepening financial-sector and external trade reforms; improving labor
skills, economic governance, and urban management; and adapting to climate change.
Bangladesh can become an export powerhouse, with its labor-intensive manufactured and
service exports growing at double digits on a sustained basis, if it speeds up government
6
Available at: http://www.plancomm.gov.bd/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Perspective-Plan-of-Bangladesh.pdf
8
decision-making. Without timely action, other countries (such as Vietnam and Myanmar) will
take the markets being vacated by China.
Emphasis on knowledge economy is a key development priority for Bangladesh. Vision 2021
focuses on the Digital Bangladesh strategy to highlight the tremendous capacity of information
and communication technology to help steer the country’s development during the Perspective
Plan. The national Information and Communication Technology Policy 2009 has expressed its
vision in terms of expansion of information and communication technology and its huge potential
in establishing a transparent, committed and accountable government, the development of
skilled manpower, improvement of social justice, and management of public services. Put
together, the Government expects to generate the impetus to move Bangladesh towards a
poverty-free middle income prosperous country by 2021.
Official direct assistance to Bangladesh
9
Transnational and humanitarian issues7
Bangladesh continues to play a vital role in international and regional forums and is an active
member of the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC), and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
In 2014, Bangladesh’s foreign policy will remain focused on improving economic and diplomatic
ties with India and China. Relations with India have strengthened dramatically since the Awani
League (AL) first took office in 2010, with deeper economic and political ties following visits to
Bangladesh by India’s prime minister, Manmohan Singh, and by it s president, Pranab
Mukherjee, in recent years. Relations between the AL and the Indian National Congress party
have traditionally been warm, but the same cannot be said for India’s main opposition Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP).
The government will nevertheless be careful not to allow improved relations with India to
damage ties with China, which in recent years has become one of Bangladesh’s largest
suppliers and remains its primary source of military equipment.
On other foreign policy, Bangladesh referred in 2009 its maritime boundary claims with
Myanmar and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Indian Prime Minister
Singh's September 2011 visit to Bangladesh resulted in the signing of a Protocol to the 1974
Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, which had called for the settlement
of longstanding boundary disputes over undemarcated areas and the exchange of territorial
enclaves, but which had never been implemented.
To date, there are approximately 30,000 Rohingya, Myanmar Muslim minority from Arakan
State, living as registered refugees in two official camps (Nyapara and Kutulapong) in the southeastern district of Cox's Bazar. UNHCR remains concerned about the protection and well-being
of some 200,000 – 500,000 undocumented Rohingya who are refugees but have no legal status
in Bangladesh yet.
Myanmar border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter
illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border. In the past,
Bangladesh has already closed its border to avoid the influx of Rohingya refugees from
Myanmar.
Bangladeshi diaspora
The world's largest Bangladeshi diaspora population is in Saudi Arabia, where there are almost
3 million. There are also significant diaspora populations in the other Arab states of the Persian
Gulf, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, where Bangladeshis are mainly
classified as foreign workers. The United Kingdom's 2001 census found 300,000 British
Bangladeshi mainly concentrated in east London boroughs (Tower Hamlets and Newham); the
migration to Britain is mainly linked with chain migration from the Sylhet region (95% of
population). Besides the UK and Middle East, Bangladeshis also have a significant presence in
the United States, mainly in New York (where many are also from Sylhet, Chittagong, and other
7
Key sources, CIA worldfactbook (visited April 2014). Economic Intelligence Unit (Bangladesh report for 2014).
UNHCR website (visited May 2014)
10
regions), in Far Eastern countries such as Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, and in other
Western countries such as Italy, Canada, Australia.
Remittance has become a major contributor to the Bangladeshi economy. As the emigrant
workers from Bangladesh gradually increased over the years, the amount of annual remittance
to the country significantly rose. According to World Bank, Bangladesh is now one of the largest
recipients of remittance with almost $14.5 billion as of June 2013.
Political stability8
The Awami League (AL) government has settled into a second term of office, having won 234
out of 300 parliamentary seats at the January 5th election. The validity of the poll results will,
nevertheless, be challenged by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). It will
continue to claim that the existing electoral process is flawed and that parliamentary polls
should be overseen by an interim government made up of technocrats and not members of
parliament (MPs), as was the case in the recent election.
Like opposition parties before it, the BNP will resort to hartals (mass strikes involving street
protests) to press its demand, and so an escalation of social unrest cannot be ruled out in 201418. The manner of AL’s re-election – only 20% of the electorate took part in the vote and the
poll was boycotted by the BNP – has raised consternation within the international community.
However, aside from strong rhetoric urging the two political parties to find a compromise, no
other action has been taken against the government since its appointment. It is difficult to
envisage what type of pressure would force the administration to dissolve parliament and hold a
second election. The EU could threaten to withdraw trade preferences, but such an action is
usually sparked by a breach of certain conditions, such as civil rights and international labour
standards, which have not occurred in this case. To date, no legal challenges have been
launched and recent comments from EU officials have downplayed the chances of this course
of action being taken.
The AL will continue to maintain that the recent parliamentary election was free and fair and did
not breach the constitution. Nevertheless, the international community, believing that the poll
was one-sided, will continue to pressure the government to find a compromise with the BNP.
The Economist Intelligence Unit believes that the administration will offer to hold talks with the
opposition aimed at laying the groundwork for a second election, but that it will try to delay such
talks until after the monsoon season, which sets in around June. At that point, fulfilled, the AL
may be more willing to let the majority of voters decide who governs Bangladesh. Yet, given the
strong performance by BNP candidates in local elections held in February this year, which could
indicate a rise in antigovernment sentiment, the AL is likely to resist all attempts to hold a
second poll.
Mass strikes will remain a feature of the political scene even if a compromise is found and a
second election takes place. Like others before it, the party left in opposition following a poll will
continue to use hartals in an attempt to destabilise the government. There are also other factors
that could harm political stability in the early part of the forecast period. One is the war crimes
tribunal, which was set up to prosecute those accused of committing crimes against humanity
during the 1971 war of secession with West Pakistan (now Pakistan). The death to be carried
out in the months ahead. So far, every defendant charged with such crimes has been found
8
Key source: Economist Intelligence Unit report on Bangladesh, 2014.
11
guilty by the AL administration believes that a number of Islamist groups are active in the
country. The new government will maintain a proactive stance against terrorism, which will help
to contain the threat, but violent attacks by such groups cannot be ruled out. In addition, social
unrest could be sparked by shortages of food, power or water.
The UN System in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh UN country team (UNCT) consists of representatives from 17 UN agencies,
funds and programmes, UNIC and UNDSS convened under UN Resident Coordinator (RC).
The UNCT meets at regular intervals, generally once each month, under the chairmanship of
the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Neal Walker, to discuss and decide on issues of common
interest. Heads of Agencies are responsible for overall oversight and policy decisions for their
respective agencies and the UNCT meetings serve as a forum for inter-agency discussions
aimed at optimizing and harmonizing the UN System’s synergies at country-level. The UNCT is
supported by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNDAF Pillars, UNDAF M&E Group and
any other inter-agency thematic groups as required.
The Bangladesh UN System is working in partnership, with the Government of Bangladesh and
with other development partners, to achieve the country’s national priorities9. The formulation of
Bangladesh's UNDAF (2012-2016) began in 2010. The UN System and the Government of
Bangladesh undertook a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of the status of the MDGs in
Bangladesh. The results and findings were documented in the 'MDG Bangladesh Progress
Report 2009' and served as Bangladesh's country analysis, replacing the need for a UN
Common Country Assessment (CCA). In addition to the results from the MDG assessment, the
UNDAF 2012-2016 also builds on the key development priorities outlined in Government’s
Outline Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2010–2021 (Making Vision 2021 a Reality), the
emerging Sixth Five Year National Development Plan. Seven UNDAF thematic pillars have
been identified along with lead/convening UN agencies:
1. Democratic Governance and Human Rights (Lead: UNDP)
2. Pro-poor Economic Growth with Equity (Lead: UNDP)
3. Social Services for Human Development (Lead: UNICEF)
4. Food Security and Nutrition (Lead: WFP)
5. Climate Change, Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction & Response (Lead: UNDP)
6. Pro-Poor Urban Development (Lead: UNDP)
7. Gender Equality and Women's Advancement (Lead: UNFPA)
Implementation of the UNDAF began in 2012, under a common operational plan, the country’s
first, the UNDAF Action Plan 2012-2016. The UNCT volunteered to do a joint Action Plan that
replaced CPAPs of four ExComm agencies and also integrated programmes of specialized and
non-resident agencies. This effort intends to reduce transaction cost of the Government in
9
A list of members of the current UNCT is attached in Appendix A.
12
coordinating with agencies on four different frameworks. In addition to that, through the Action
Plan, UN System commits to support the Government in simplifying the project approval
process that has been delaying fund disbursement and ultimately impacts project outcomes.
Through the Action Plan, the UN System has strategized in maximizing results impact by
adopting the geographic targeting mechanism. The strategy defined 20 most poorest and
vulnerable districts (out of 64) of Bangladesh where agencies will primarily focus. Agencies
have planned for managing UNDAF results through a comprehensive framework that is built on
an online database. Furthermore for missing baselines of UNDAF targets, agencies have jointly
initiated process to the baseline survey.
UN System plays a collective and substantive role in the national forum for development
dialogue, known as Local Consultative Group (LCG). Out of eighteen working groups under the
LCG, UN co-leads seven sectoral, cross-cutting and regional working groups. Given the
development context of Bangladesh, the seven UN led LCG Working Groups are both
strategically and programmatically significant areas namely- Agriculture, Food Security and
Rural Development, Governance, Disaster and Emergency Response (DER), Urban, Poverty,
Gender and one regional forum, Chittagong Hill Tracts. These groups are the nodal fora for
involving any policy discussions across government and other development actors.
The UN Country Team made noteworthy progress in leading the LCG WGs particularly the
“Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development (AFSRD)” and the “Disaster and Emergency
Response Group (DER)”. Both primarily a development forum, has been restructured to address
emergency preparedness and response aspects. Based on a comprehensive study of existing
structure, functions, needs and gaps in disaster management and coordination, convened by
the UN, the need for disaster preparedness across and in specific sectors was realized
throughout. Since the Government of Bangladesh has a very strong and long established
leadership role in disaster management and response, this became a challenge for the UN to
lead advocacy for emergency preparedness.
The UN System in Bangladesh has a website, where more information is available about the
country’s profile, MDG reports, UNDAF reports. The UN System website for Bangladesh
http://www.un-bd.org/countryprofile.php
13
Annex A. Map of Bangladesh
14
Annex B. Current UNCT in Bangladesh (March 2014)10
Mr. Neal Walker
880-2-8150088
880-2-8117811 (F)
880-2-8113196 (F)
neal.walker@undp.org
DO/RC/RR
Country Team
10
Ms. Pauline Tamesis
Country Director
UNDP
pauline.tamesis@undp.org
Mr. Pascal Villeneuve
Representative
UNICEF
pvilleneuve@unicef.org
Ms. Yuki Suehiro
Representative a.i
UNFPA
suehiro@unfpa.org
Ms. Christa Räder
Representative
WFP
christa.rader@wfp.org
Mr. Mike Robson
Representative
FAO
mike.robson@fao.org
Mr. Srinivasa Reddy
Baki
Country Director
ILO
reddy@ilo.org
Mr. M. Golam Abbas
Representative, a. i.
UNHCR
abbas@unhcr.org
Mr. Kiichi Oyasu
Officer in Charge
UNESCO
k.oyasu@unesco.org
Dr. Thushara Fernando
Represeentative
WHO
fernandot@searo.who.int
Mr. Leo Kenny
Country Coordinator
UNAIDS
kennyl@unaids.org
Mr. K.A. Reza
National Officer
UNIC
reza.unic@undp.org
Mr. Santosh Dhungana
Security Advisor
UNDSS
santosh.dhungana@undss.org
Mr. Sarat Das
Chief of IOM Mission
IOM
sdas@iom.int
Ms Christine Hunter
Representative
UN WOMEN
christine.hunter@unwomen.com
Ms. Sesheeni
Selvaratnam
Programe Officer
UNV
sesheeni.selvaratnam@undp.org
Mr. Gersoney Brandao
Humanitarian Advisor
OCHA
brandaoazevedo@un.org
Mr. GM Hashibul Alam
Country Programme
Officer
IFAD
g.alam@ifad.org
Mr. Zaki Uz Zaman
Head of Operations
UNIDO
z.zaman@unido.org
Mr. Abu Noman
Hossain
Team Leader
UNOPS
abunomaanh@unops.org
Mr. Akhtaruz Zaman
Representantive
UNHABITAT
zamangreen@yahoo.com
Mr Kamrul Ahsan
Program Coordinator
UNODC
kamrul.ahsan@unodc.org
Mr. Jesmul Hasan
Programme Analyst
UNCDF
Jesmul.hasan@uncdf.org
Source: undg.org
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