Localizing SDGs in Bangladesh Post-COVID-19: Policy Responses and Governance Challenges

Abstract

Notwithstanding the immense challenges it presents, the COVID-19 pandemic gives us the opportunity to assess the sustainability of our social, economic, and environmental systems as well as the interactions between them in order to create more resilient societies that prioritise the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda emphasises the need for a tailored, inclusive approach where the commitment to leave no one behind represents the fundamental values of the local government. The local level of government is most placed to assist local development players in mobilising, as the international development community is increasingly realising. Participatory grassroots local government is necessary to achieve the SDGs, particularly in Bangladesh's rural areas. Unfortunately, it is absent from most undeveloped countries, including Bangladesh. For example, in Bangladesh, local government initiatives such as the committee system, project implementation committee, grassroots political involvement, and open budget talks are not being implemented properly. As COVID-19 ruins lives and livelihoods across the country, the Bangladesh government must highlight a variety of international strategies to slow down the pandemic and get back on track to accomplish SDGs. To protect against the worst effects of COVID-19, the government of Bangladesh should focus its efforts on three areas: maintaining the progress made towards the SDGs, accelerating the provision of high-quality basic services to all citizens, and maintaining the environmental gains made thus far to stop the trend of environmental degradation. In Bangladesh, the government's only realistic means of enacting policies that lead to prosperity and inclusive growth might be through supporting local government. The goal of this content analysis-based study is to better understand how, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bangladeshi government is accelerating efforts to develop and lead localised strategies that are in line with the SDGs by fostering communication with all relevant parties through the Local 2030 initiative and mobilising a coalition at multiple levels to focus on localization.