Launching ceremony of “New Version of SDG Tracker and SDG data validation for Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)”
Venue: Statistics Building, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)
City: Dhaka
Country: Bangladesh
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the launching ceremony of the new version of the SDG Tracker (www.sdg.gov.bd) and a VNR data validation workshop were held at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in Agargaon, Dhaka. Ms. Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Chief Advisor's Office, was present as the Chief Guest at the workshop. Ms. Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, and Dr. Quayyum Ara Begum, Member (Secretary) of the Planning Commission, were present as Special Guests. Mr. Farook Adrian Doomun, Deputy Representative Operations, UNICEF Bangladesh, was present as the Guest of Honour. Mr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Director General of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, presided over the event. Mr. Mohammad Obaidul Islam, Deputy Director General, BBS; Mr. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Focal Point, SDG Cell, BBS, and others also spoke at the event. An open discussion on VNR preparation was conducted, moderated by Mr. Md. Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary (SDG), Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
In her address as the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the SDG Tracker and VNR workshop, SDG Affairs Principal Coordinator Ms. Lamiya Morshed praised the activities of BBS, the National Statistical Organization (NSO), for consistently ensuring accurate and reliable data from the outset of SDG monitoring. She emphasized the need for this nationally important organization to play an uncompromising and impartial role in professionalism and quality to emerge as an independent and effective institution. She stated that restructuring it to become a capable professional institution accountable and answerable to the public is the demand of the time. The Principal Coordinator inaugurated the new version of the national online platform ‘SDG Tracker’ jointly developed by BBS and the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme. She mentioned that the newly developed ‘SDG Tracker’ will not only serve as a unique tool for data accessibility and online live analysis in SDG monitoring but will also accurately portray Bangladesh's position in SDG progress monitoring in the international arena. She further added that in implementing SDGs, each country voluntarily informs the international community about its position through the Voluntary National Review or VNR. Bangladesh will participate in the VNR for the 3rd time in July. She expressed hope that the opinions received at the workshop would be considered with utmost importance to enrich the report.
Dr. Quayyum Ara Begum, Member (Secretary), Planning Commission, stated that in achieving the SDGs' goals and objectives in Bangladesh, internationalism, integrated dynamics and all dimensions of sustainable development are being followed; realistic and knowledge-based initiatives are being taken; and the highest priority is being given to the poorest, most vulnerable, and most marginalized people. She urged every ministry, division, department, and agency to work in a coordinated manner to further improve Bangladesh's position in achieving the SDGs. She expressed hope that the new version of the tracker will play a highly effective and timely role in properly highlighting Bangladesh's success, challenges, and future actions in SDG implementation on the world stage.
In her address as a Special Guest, Ms. Aleya Akter, Secretary, Statistics and Informatics Division, stated that the employees of the Statistics and Informatics Division and BBS are working tirelessly to prepare, publish, and preserve statistics in a timely manner under any circumstances. The government is undertaking multifaceted work to identify the marginalized and disadvantaged populations of Bangladesh through statistical data and to eliminate existing disparities. She said that the SDG Tracker has created opportunities for detailed analysis of data and information on marginalized communities.
Mr. Farook Adrian Doomun, Deputy Representative Operations, UNICEF Bangladesh, pledged that UNICEF Bangladesh would continue to work alongside BBS as a close partner in SDG monitoring in the future. He stated, "What we are doing today is not just about numbers and statistics; it is about the lives of millions of people in Bangladesh, especially the most vulnerable children and families. Reliable and effective data is the foundation of policy, inclusive development, and meaningful change." He called for continued joint efforts towards the common goal of building a data-driven, equitable, and sustainable Bangladesh.
In his presidential address, Mr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Director General, BBS, stated that out of the 248 SDG indicators, BBS is solely responsible for providing data and information on the highest number of indicators, which is 111. He mentioned that as the NSO, BBS also efficiently performs the task of ensuring the quality of data and information provided by other ministries/divisions/agencies on relevant SDG indicators. The SDG Tracker has been acting as a mirror of Bangladesh's SDG data and information. BBS manages the SDG Tracker. The new version of the SDG Tracker has been developed to overcome various limitations of the previous version by adding new features and to be used as a user-friendly and effective tool. He expressed hope that if the government and all other relevant departments, institutions, and researchers provide sincere cooperation and constructive advice, the quality of BBS's work will be further improved.
Over 150 representatives from various ministries/divisions/agencies' data focal points, NGOs, civil society, NGO representatives, development partners, academia, and the media participated in the day-long workshop.
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