Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, speaker of the National Parliament, said that eliminating inequality at every level of society is the responsibility of the state. The All-Party Caucus could play a role in reducing inequalities across different sectors of the country and society, he noted. Through such efforts, the formal recognition of the contributions made by disadvantaged and marginalised communities to national development would be ensured.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during a courtesy meeting at the Speaker’s office in the parliament building with a delegation led by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh and distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). National Parliament Secretariat disclosed the information in a press release.

According to the release, during the meeting, the participants exchanged views on the role of the caucus in advancing disadvantaged, underprivileged, and marginalised communities by ensuring institutional and technical support for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. They also discussed the implementation of the government’s political commitments with transparency and accountability, as well as ensuring the rights of backward communities to education, healthcare, and safe food as part of the country’s overall development.

At the meeting, the delegation from the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh congratulated Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on being elected Speaker and expressed condolences on the recent death of his wife, noted educationist Dilara Hafiz.

Members of the delegation and senior officials of the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat were also present at the meeting.