National SDG Report (VNR) 2025: Addressing the interests of LNOB communities

Session 1: Setting the context

Bangladesh is preparing its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) to assess progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a new national context. On 20 March 2025, the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh; Office of the Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs; Chief Adviser’s Office, Government of Bangladesh; and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh, jointly organised a dialogue titled National SDG Report (VNR) 2025: Addressing the interests of LNOB communities. The dialogue was attended by around 350 representatives. These included members from diverse marginalised communities, grassroots organisations, and NGOs working with LNOB communities. Government officials, civil society actors, international development partners, academics, and human rights activists were also present.

In his opening remarks, Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Core Group Member of the Citizen’s Platform and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), welcomed all participants to the dialogue. He emphasised that this event stands apart from others. He highlighted the motto of ‘Leave No One Behind’, as it focuses on including those who are furthest behind in the development process. Professor Rahman also underscored that the Citizen’s Platform was established to amplify the voices of the unheard. He commended the Interim Government’s decision to participate in the VNR and adopt a whole-of-society approach in its preparation process.

The overview presentation was delivered by Mr Towfiqul Islam Khan, Senior Research Fellow, CPD. In his presentation, he pointed out that the previous two VNR processes primarily focused on goal-specific progress and target indicators. These relied solely on official data without adequate disaggregation. He highlighted that to support the VNR preparation, the Citizen’s Platform engaged 4,000 citizens. This was done through 15 consultations/workshops, 54 focus group discussions (FGDs), 8 key informant interviews (KIIs), and 3 surveys. He also highlighted that, despite significant economic growth over the past decade, over 23.6 million people in Bangladesh remain food insecure. He focused on 8 essential services. These include drinking water, sanitation services, hygiene facilities, clean fuels and technology, education, information services such as internet access, mobility in both rural and urban contexts, and waste collection services. He emphasised that approximately 151 million citizens, or 87.5% of the total population, lack access to all eight of these basic services.

Mr Khan concluded by recommending that an inclusive, democratic society is key to achieving the SDGs for the LNOB communities. He also stressed that the commitment to delivering SDGs for these communities must be reflected in election manifestos.

Session 2: Parallel Sessions

Parallel Session A (Children, Women and Youth)

The introductory session was followed by two parallel sessions. Each session featured three thematic presentations.

Session A, focusing on Children, Women, and Youth, was chaired by Dr Md Shahid Uz Zaman, Founding Executive Director, of the Eco-Social Development Organization.

The thematic presentation on Children was delivered by Mr Zafar Sadique, Adviser (Investment in Children), Save the Children in Bangladesh. In his presentation, Mr Sadique emphasised the importance of including children’s needs in the VNR process. He addressed the gaps in children-specific data. He also highlighted the alarming rise in child mortality rates, especially neonatal and under-5, child marriage, gender-based violence, and child labour. He further highlighted that key policies aimed at children’s welfare often suffer from poor implementation. This is compounded by insufficient resources. He recommended improving policy frameworks and increasing targeted investments for vulnerable children. He also proposed the establishment of robust, disaggregated data systems to monitor progress effectively.

Ms Jana Goswami, Director (Advocacy), Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, delivered the presentation on women’s issues. She emphasised the progress made in legal frameworks. These include the recognition of the mother’s name as sufficient for determining children’s guardianship and the introduction of protective laws for victims of rape. However, she also highlighted ongoing challenges. These include the rise in early marriages and the increasing participation of women in the informal employment sector. She further drew attention to the persistent issues of gender-based violence, the gender pay gap, and the escalation of hate crimes against women. Looking ahead, she advocated for a gender-responsive budget, effective implementation of existing laws, and the repeal of the special provision in the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2017. She also urged for full ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.

Ms Elma Hoque Sharna, Programme Officer, ActionAid Bangladesh, delivered the presentation on youth. She highlighted the medium-level progress achieved in this sector. However, she also drew attention to several critical challenges. She noted that 32% of youth have experienced physical or sexual violence, with a worsening child marriage rate. She pointed out that 8.2% of youth aged 20–24 were married before the age of 15, while 41.6% were married before the age of 18. Addressing the issue of employability, she emphasised the persistent lack of skills among youth, noting a 7.3% rise in informal employment. She further noted that although the National Youth Policy 2017 outlines comprehensive strategies for youth development, its implementation remains inadequate. To address these gaps, she recommended the establishment of a separate ministry dedicated to youth development, with a particular focus on skill enhancement. She also stressed the need for policy revisions to include support for the mental health and well-being of youth. Additionally, she advocated for the introduction of youth-specific curricula to enhance youth participation in national development efforts.

The open-floor discussion highlighted several pressing issues affecting women, children, and youth at the grassroots level. Key concerns included mental health challenges, complications with birth registration, and the need for stronger legal protections for the Hijra community, particularly Hijra children. Participants also raised issues regarding the rights of sex workers, the rising incidence of drug use among youth, child labour laws, and menstrual hygiene. It was suggested that efforts should focus on engaging men and boys to promote greater gender sensitivity. Additionally, the importance of effective and targeted budget allocation was emphasised to address these critical issues.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Md Shahid Uz Zaman highlighted that previous VNRs reflected a gap between expectations and reality. He stressed that in the current context, ensuring adequate space for citizens remains crucial. He noted that fabricated reports have adversely affected vulnerable communities and emphasised that genuine commitment is essential to uphold the pledge of leaving no one behind.

Parallel Session B (Climate Vulnerable, Dalit and Adivasi, and Persons with Disabilities)

Session B, focusing on Climate Vulnerable, Dalit and Adivasi, and Persons with Disabilities, was chaired by Ms Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh.

The thematic presentation on climate vulnerability was delivered by Mr Mahfuzul Haque, Senior Research Fellow, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). He highlighted that Bangladesh ranks as the 7th most climate-vulnerable country. Fifty-six per cent of the population lives in climate-exposed areas. He noted that climate change disproportionately affects women, girls, older people, persons with disabilities, low-income families, and informal settlement dwellers. Notably, 71% of women face abuse during climate-induced floods, while 60% experience gender-based violence in cyclone-affected areas. Additionally, 19 million children are affected, with many girls dropping out of school as a result. Mr Haque also pointed out the lack of climate finance and insufficient focus on climate issues within the Social Safety Net Programme (SSNP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. He recommended aligning policies to ensure youth and women have access to climate finance, decision-making, and implementation. He further advocated for youth leadership in international negotiations.

Mr Sultan Md. Salauddin Siddique, Monitoring and Reporting Officer, Nagorik Uddyog, delivered the presentation on the issues faced by Dalit and Adivasi communities. He highlighted the systemic discrimination and socio-economic exclusion that continue to marginalise these communities. This is due to data gaps and policy blindness. He further emphasised the limited access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and employment. There is also persistent gender inequality, lack of land rights, and environmental and livelihood challenges. He also noted significant gaps in policy implementation. Mr Siddique recommended the enactment and enforcement of the Anti-Discrimination Act to explicitly criminalise caste and ethnicity-based discrimination. He called for strengthened legal frameworks to prevent land dispossession and ensure the effective implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord. He further suggested introducing reserved quotas for Dalits and Adivasis in education, public service, and decision-making bodies. He advocated for mandating inclusive political representation in Parliament, local government, and policy advisory bodies. Additionally, he underscored the need for direct budgetary allocations for Dalit and Adivasi communities in national and local budgets. Finally, he stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between the government, civil society organisations (CSOs), and international organisations to drive systemic change.

Mr Khandoker Shohel Rana, Advocacy & Communications Coordinator, Sightsavers, delivered the presentation on the concerns of persons with disabilities. He highlighted that a significant portion of the population experiences some form of disability. However, available statistics remain inconsistent and unreliable. He emphasised that inaccurate data continues to hinder the government’s ability to effectively plan disability inclusive development programmes. He further noted that persons with disabilities face limited access to essential services, particularly healthcare, with women and girls encountering greater challenges. He pointed out that 33.78% of working-age persons with disabilities between the age of 15–64 years are employed. Yet, workplace inaccessibility, negative societal attitudes, and institutional barriers persist. He recommended establishing a separate disability data centre with a standardised data collection tool to ensure disability segregated data across the national database, including the SDG tracker. He further advocated for promoting active participation and engagement of persons with disabilities in policymaking processes at all levels to advance their rights and inclusion. Additionally, he stressed the importance of strengthening technical skills to foster collaboration with NGOs and advocacy groups, ensuring that no one is left behind in achieving the SDGs.

During the open-floor discussion, several key issues were highlighted. Participants emphasised the need to strengthen the social safety net for persons with disabilities, implement legal reforms, and ensure the effective enforcement of existing laws. The inclusion of persons with disabilities in government projects was also underscored. Concerns regarding the plain land Adivasi community were raised. These concerns focused on their difficulties in accessing basic services such as healthcare and education. The impact of climate change on women, especially in agriculture and water resource dependent areas, was also discussed.

In her concluding remarks, the Chair of the session, Ms Farah Kabir, reiterated the critical data gap that hinders effective policymaking. She stressed the importance of government investment to address this issue. She noted that climate-induced disasters are increasingly rendering people more vulnerable. Ms Kabir further emphasised the urgent need to implement existing laws and identified bureaucracy and corruption as two of the most pressing challenges.

Session 3: Reflections and Closure

The session titled Reflections and Closure was chaired and moderated by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Convenor, Citizen’s Platform and Distinguished Fellow, CPD.

Reflections from Parallel Session A were presented by Ms Saibun Nessa, Partnership Manager & Senior Programme Advisor, Gender, Diversity and Advocacy, HEKS/EPER Bangladesh. She highlighted that women, children, and youth face the highest risk of exclusion. Persistent inequalities are slowing their progress. She emphasised the lack of updated data and noted that while laws exist, their implementation remains inadequate. She further pointed out that women and children from poverty-prone areas, climate-vulnerable regions, religious and ethnic minorities, and the Hijra community are increasingly marginalised. She stressed that targeted interventions are crucial to addressing these issues and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Summarising Parallel Session B, Mr Pallab Chakma, Executive Director, Kapaeeng Foundation, highlighted the absence of adequate legal and institutional safety nets for climate-vulnerable communities, Dalits, Adivasis, and persons with disabilities. He emphasised the need for legislative reforms and the effective implementation of anti-discrimination laws by the current and future governments. Mentioning the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013 and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, he recommended formulating and implementing policies sensitive to gender, disability, and other forms of vulnerability to safeguard marginalised communities.

Ms Huma Khan, Senior Human Rights Advisor, UNRCO-Bangladesh emphasised the need to eliminate repressive systems of representation that fail to intervene for those they claim to represent. She highlighted the complex and diverse roots of marginalisation, stressing the importance of using an intersectional lens to understand how multiple identities intertwine to create unique experiences of exclusion. Ms Khan underscored the need for Bangladesh to shift from a needs-based to a rights-based approach in its development discourse and actions. She argued that adopting a rights-based framework would automatically address the marginalisation of disadvantaged groups by ensuring they are represented in policy development. She noted that economic, social, and cultural rights discourse should focus on the extent of rights accessible to individuals rather than whether they are left behind. Accountability, she stressed, must underpin the design, development, and implementation of policies.

Mr Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of the VNR as a critical tool for reflection, accountability, and action. He stressed that the VNR process must be inclusive, transparent, and participatory to reflect the voices of marginalised groups and communities at risk of being left behind. By doing so, the SDGs evolve from being the responsibility of the government and the UN to a collective national endeavour. Mr Liller particularly appreciated the involvement of people from diverse and marginalised communities, recognising their perspectives as crucial in crafting a VNR that represents the lived realities of all Bangladeshis. He reiterated that the VNR captures progress, challenges, and actions toward achieving the SDGs by amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable. He highlighted the ‘Leave No One Behind’ pledge as an actionable commitment to prioritising those at greatest risk.

H.E. Mr Reto Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, noted that the VNR is more than a reporting exercise; it is an opportunity to listen, learn, and take action. He stated that the day’s discussions had exposed critical gaps demanding attention. The ‘Leave No One Behind’ pledge serves as a reminder that development is only sustainable when it includes the most vulnerable. As Bangladesh transitions from a Least Developed Country (LDC), Mr Renggli emphasised the need for inclusive growth, especially in the face of climate vulnerability and other pressing issues. He referred to the Swiss constitution, which asserts that the strength of a society is measured by the well-being of its weakest members. He also highlighted the role of community-driven climate action in achieving sustainable development.

Ms Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs (Senior Secretary) at the Chief Adviser’s Office, Government of Bangladesh, noted that the findings from the discussion would be incorporated into the SDG review. She acknowledged that previous reviews lacked input from non-state actors and marginalised voices, which must be central to the report. She affirmed that a ‘whole-of-society’ approach would be adopted to ensure full participation. She stressed the importance of going beyond statistics to understand grassroots challenges. She noted that while the SDGs are inherently cross-cutting, the high rates of early marriage and rising violence against women remain deeply concerning. She reiterated that sustainable development must be inclusive and accountable, reflecting the needs and experiences of marginalised communities.

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, in his closing remarks, highlighted the evolving nature of the VNR process in Bangladesh, emphasising the need to delve deeper into concerns of inclusivity. He pointed out the significant wealth gap between the richest and poorest, noting that many people and institutions were excluded from recent development efforts. He noted that access to development resources remains discriminatory, influenced by identity and geography. He observed that despite high school enrolment rates, disparities in educational quality persist across socio-economic backgrounds. He argued that a change of government does not necessarily mean a change in governance.

He further pointed out that those marginalised during periods of weak democracy remained excluded after the uprising. This includes youth, women, children, and climate-vulnerable communities. Structural disadvantages persist despite political changes. He emphasised that citizens must advocate for their rights, as no one else will.

In the context of the upcoming elections, Dr Bhattacharya raised concerns about whether the needs of marginalised groups would be adequately addressed. He questioned whether these groups would have the opportunity to vote freely and participate in the economy and politics. He called for reforms to ensure that the voices of those left behind are heard, warning that an election ignoring these communities would not be acceptable. He concluded by stressing the importance of visibility, unity, and collective action, asserting that sustainable development requires the inclusion and empowerment of all citizens.

Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh is grateful for the active engagement of a wide range of partner organisations in the Voluntary National Review (VNR) initiative. Their contributions were instrumental in making this collective effort inclusive, participatory, and evidence-based.

Policy Brief Group

• Access Bangladesh Foundation
• ActionAid Bangladesh
• Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD)
• Bandhu Social Welfare Society
• Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)
• Bangladesh Mahila Parishad
• Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC)
• BRAC
• British Council in Bangladesh
• Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE)
• Caritas Bangladesh
• CBM Global Disability Inclusion Bangladesh
• Center for Disability in Development (CDD)
• Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
• COAST Foundation
• Concern Worldwide Bangladesh
• Dhrubotara Youth Development Foundation (DYDF)
• Disability Alliance on SDGs Bangladesh
• Educo Bangladesh
• Good Neighbors Bangladesh
• Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh
• HEKS/EPER Bangladesh
• Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh
• JAAGO Foundation
• JAGO NARI
• Kapaeeng Foundation
• Light House Bangladesh
• Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)
• Nagorik Uddyog
• National Child Forum
• National Children’s Task Force (NCTF)
• Oxfam in Bangladesh
• Plan International Bangladesh
• Resource Integration Center (RIC)
• Save the Children in Bangladesh
• SERAC Bangladesh
• Shushilan
• Sightsavers
• SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh
• The Fred Hollow Foundation Bangladesh
• Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB)
• Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programs (UCEP Bangladesh)
• WaterAid Bangladesh
• World Vision Bangladesh
• Youth For Change Bangladesh Foundation
• Youth Policy Forum

Programme Supporters

• ActionAid Bangladesh
• Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD)
• Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)
• Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)
• CBM Global Disability Inclusion
• Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
• Educo Bangladesh
• Good Neighbors Bangladesh
• Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh
• Sightsavers
• SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh
• Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB)
• WaterAid Bangladesh

Network Supporters

• ActionAid Bangladesh
• Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD)
• Bandhu Social Welfare Society
• Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)
• Bangladesh Mahila Parishad
• Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK)
• Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC)
• Caritas Bangladesh
• CBM Global Disability Inclusion
• Concern Worldwide Bangladesh
• Dhrubotara Youth Development Foundation (DYDF)
• Disability Alliance on SDGs Bangladesh
• Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO)
• Good Neighbors Bangladesh
• Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh
• JAAGO Foundation
• Kapaeeng Foundation
• Light House Bangladesh
• Nagorik Uddyog
• National Child Forum
• National Children’s Task Force (NCTF)
• Save the Children in Bangladesh
• Sightsavers
• SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh
• The Hunger Project Bangladesh
• Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programs (UCEP Bangladesh)
• United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB)
• Youth for Change Bangladesh Foundation