The Prime Minister on Sunday vowed to ensure 100 per cent safe water supply to all and said Bangladesh could be presented as a role model for the world for attaining SDG-6 of safe water and sanitation.
"I believe in both the sectors, Bangladesh would become an example across the globe," she said in a statement.
The statement was read out by Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury at the inaugural session of the National Workshop for preparing the country paper on Sustainable Development Goal 6 at the Prime Minister's Office.
The premier could not attend the programme, organised by Water Resources Ministry and Geographic Information Service (CEGIS), due to illness, reports agencies.
Bangladesh by now embarked into a new era by successfully ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation to the people across the country and now "we want to ensure safe water for hundred per cent of our population", read the statement.
Hasina said 98 per cent of the country's people are currently getting safe water, adding 61 per cent are under sanitation system.
Five government organisations --DPHE, DoE, WARPO, BWDB and DBHWD – in association with relevant departments and agencies backed by expert assistances prepared six draft concept papers along with the action plan on six SDG 6 targets.
The draft action plan will be finalised after considering the feedback from the participants of the workshop and thereafter, a country paper will be prepared.
Out of the 17 SDGs, the Prime Minister said, the number six goal is ensuring safe water and sanitation. "We'll have to achieve a success in this regard like the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)."
Highlighting some steps of the government to materialise SDG 6, she said they spent nearly Tk 149 billion over the last seven years for safe water and sanitation while various projects worth Tk 320 billion are going on.
Bangladesh already formulated a national policy on water, water supply and sewerage policy, environment protection rules and Water Act to facilitate implementation of the SDG 6.
The government has adopted a water management policy by taking into account all related phenomenon of the country, she added.
Hasina said the government has taken initiative for "Delta Plan- 2100" outlining the water resources management strategy for the next 100 years.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a 15-year universal development plan adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2015 on conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Seventeen 17 SDGs with a total of 169 targets would guide the international development agenda.
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, State Minister for Water M Nazrul Islam, Bir Pratik, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad, PMO Secretary Suraiya Bagum and Senior Secretary of the Water Resources Minister Jafar Ahmed Khan also spoke on the occasion.
