The “Three Zeros” vision—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions—championed by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus could be a powerful catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said speakers at a workshop in Dhaka on Monday.
They emphasized the critical importance of partnerships, particularly under SDG 17, which focuses on global collaboration to meet these objectives.
The workshop, titled “Preparing VNRs: Reviewing Progress and Strengthening Partnerships for SDG-17 in the Context of LDC Graduation,” was organized by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in collaboration with the Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) and held at the NEC 2 Conference Room.
According to an ERD press release, the event gathered stakeholders from government ministries, development partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations.
Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) of the Chief Adviser’s Office, attended as the chief guest.
She highlighted the crucial role of the “Three Zeros” vision in fostering social inclusivity and tackling global challenges. “Let Bangladesh be an example of three zeros to the future world,” she remarked.
Morshed also revealed that a team led by economist Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya is preparing a “white paper” on Bangladesh’s economy, aimed at offering strategic recommendations for economic stabilization and SDG fulfillment.
ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, who chaired the event, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 17.
“The road to 2030 is challenging, but filled with immense opportunities,” he stated, noting ERD’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with development partners and international organizations for sustainable development.
Bangladesh has conducted two Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on SDG progress, in 2017 and 2020, with another scheduled for 2025.
The workshop aimed to assess progress on SDG 17 and gather updated input for the upcoming review. Speakers underscored the need for reliable data and adequate funding to meet the SDGs amidst evolving global conditions.