Bangladesh’s Deputy Speaker, Barrister Kayser Kamal, has called on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide technical expertise and financial assistance for an e-Parliament initiative designed to modernise the country’s parliamentary system and strengthen its legislative institutions.
The request was made during a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday with a UNDP delegation led by the organisation’s Deputy Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Sonali Dayaratne, according to an official press release.
Discussions focused on the future of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and explored ways to improve legislative processes and institutional capacity through closer cooperation between Parliament and the UN agency.
During the meeting, the Deputy Speaker said the government continues to place education and healthcare among its highest priorities.
He also noted that legislation must evolve alongside changes in society, arguing that laws should be updated when necessary to meet the country’s changing social and economic needs.
Kayser Kamal welcomed UNDP’s proposal to establish a parliamentary fellowship or internship programme that would allow recent graduates to gain practical experience by working in the Parliament Library.
He said the initiative could help develop a deeper understanding of parliamentary procedures among young professionals.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that future parliamentary development projects complement, rather than duplicate, programmes already being implemented with support from the European Union and other international partners.
Seeking support for the proposed e-Parliament programme, the Deputy Speaker expressed hope that UNDP would contribute both financial resources and technical knowledge to help introduce modern digital systems into parliamentary operations.
The meeting also explored opportunities for exchanges between members of the parliaments of Bangladesh and Nepal.
Kayser Kamal welcomed the idea, saying such cooperation could encourage the sharing of experience and strengthen parliamentary practices in both countries.
He further stressed the need for legal reforms to improve the effectiveness of parliamentary standing committees, describing them as an important part of strengthening legislative oversight.
The Deputy Speaker also voiced support for UNDP’s proposal to organise orientation programmes for members of parliament to help advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying that such initiatives could enhance lawmakers’ understanding of sustainable development priorities.
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