Sustainable development goals (SDGs) cannot be fully achievable by 2030, leaving out SDG 16 that focuses on inclusive societies, democracy, strong institutions, justice and rule of law.
SDG 16 is the key goal and the driver of all other sustainable goals. If it fails, overall SDGs will be a failure, speakers told a dialogue on Thursday.
They said growing economic inequality, partially functioning democracy, the weakening of some major institutions and non-inclusive growth are the major challenges in achieving SDG 16.
The observations were made at a dialogue styled 'What type of democratic practices are suitable for achieving the SDGs?' hosted by the Centre for Policy Dialogue in a city hotel.
SDG 16-peace, justice and strong institutions-is one of the 17 SDGs established by the United Nations in 2015.
It promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provides access to justice for all and builds effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
It has 12 targets to be achieved by 2030. Progress towards the targets will be measured by 23 indicators.
Speaking as the chief guest, lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury said Bangladesh has multiple challenges in achieving SDGs.
He said SDG 16 is going to be the engine, the driver of other 16 goals. It is not just a goal when it comes to achieving other goals.
"If we don't achieve SDG 16, we aren't going to achieve other goals too," he said, adding that Bangladesh will be lagging behind in achieving SDGs overall.
This is fundamental and this is wherein real challenges lie, Mr Chowdhury observed.
Mr Chowdhury, also honorary president at Inter-Parliamentary Union, said democracy has to be participatory, but that does not mean just an election.
"We can look at democracy from a different context too," he continued.
Mr Chowdhury said election is important but what in between election is more important.
Implementation of SDGs facilitates a very unique opportunity to redefine or re-energise the relationship between citizens and the state, he remarked.
Income inequality and wealth inequality are worrying here and these inequalities will increase more in future. "It's a fundamental challenge for us."
The country is achieving growth, Mr Chowdhury said, but unemployment still remains constant. "We shouldn't emphasise the numbers only, we should look at the qualitative growth."
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said SDGs' real benefits cannot be reaped if accountability and democracy are not guaranteed.
Citing the ban on a book authored by politician Sirajul Alam Khan, he said it is impossible to achieve anything when such level of intolerance exists in a society.
Power in Bangladesh is extremely centralised, he said, adding that real democracy will not be realised without decentralisation of power.
Swiss ambassador in Dhaka Dr René Holenstein said three things are crucial for democracy-power sharing, consensus and citizens' participation.
A living democracy must allow of protest and right of dissent, he cited.
The envoy said accountable, effective, transparent and strong institutions are the key to achieving SDGs.
As a signatory of SDGs, Mr Holenstein said, Bangladesh should focus on these issues.
Prof Rounaq Jahan said people in Bangladesh are living in a "democratic deficiency".
There should be a balanced focus on SDGs, he uttered.
"We cannot cherry-pick and ignore other goals of SDGs," Prof Rounaq said.
About a query, she said parliament here is not strong at all. There is debate, bills are usually passed without much discussion and power is one person-centric.
Local government expert Tofail Ahmed said Bangladesh is an executive model in all democratic models as power is extremely centralised here.
"SDG 16 has been nationalised, not localised. It will be impossible to achieve all SDGs effectively without the participation of local government," he said.
Lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon said two economies still exist in Bangladesh between rich and poor as it was in between East and West Pakistan.
The key theme of SDG 16 is to leave nobody behind, but in Bangladesh most of the people would be left behind due to disparity in the system, he added.
Mr Menon said the country's wealth is concentrated at the hands of a few people.
Speaking as the chair, Prof Rehman Sobhan said the functioning of a political democracy is a necessary precondition for a strong economic democracy.
An authentic democracy cannot be in place without strong measures on social and economic inequality, he opined.
"And this is a very difficult challenge in a country where the political system remains far from being consensual," he added.
Swiss author and journalist Peter Niggli, climate expert Atiq Rahman and CPD distinguished fellow Mustafizur Rahman, among others, also spoke.
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