Moyeen Khan seeks Australia’s support for local governance

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Tuesday sought Australia’s cooperation in strengthening local government institutions to improve people’s quality of life and reinforce democratic practices.

He made the request when Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle met him at his office at the Secretariat. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was also present.

The minister highlighted the role of local government institutions in improving people’s living standards and said the government is committed to holding free, fair and impartial local government elections.

He said parliament had passed into law five ordinances on local government issued by the interim government. The laws covering city corporations, municipalities, upazila councils, district councils and union councils abolished provisions for party nominations and the use of national party symbols in local elections.

The meeting discussed strengthening local government capacity, decentralisation, women’s empowerment, climate change, rural infrastructure, safe water supply and drainage.

It also explored cooperation in higher education and skills development, renewable energy, waste management and waste-to-energy generation.

Susan Ryle stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and expressed Australia’s interest in expanding cooperation in good governance and women’s empowerment.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said rising urbanisation had made waste management a major challenge, urging the use of modern technology to turn waste into resources and energy.

He stressed greater use of renewable energy for sustainable development and called for Australian technical cooperation, technology and investment in waste management and renewable energy.