Bangladesh Parliament and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh, today virtually launched the country’s first “My Constituency” data platform, web and mobile based application, for Members of Parliament to measure the progress of SDGs.

The data platform will support the MPs to track the development progress of their respective constituencies and identify the areas for inclusive development planning to improve the lives of underserved people. The platform also envisions to strengthen interaction with the citizens.

UNDP is currently supporting over 60 Parliaments around the world, and it has had a long and productive partnership with the Parliament of Bangladesh since 1997,  through a series of projects, which included the initiation of an international network of parliamentarians for climate justice, policy advisory support to the Speaker’s office, as well as ICT support for MPs’ offices and secretariat staff. 

Upon renewal of UNDP’s MoU with the Parliament in 2019, the organisation set out to strengthen the capacities of MPs and the Parliament Secretariat, support MPs with better access to evidence-based data and organisational development. The data platform was a priority activity, supported by a2i project of UNDP and GoB. 

Accurate, reliable and timely data is key to measuring progress in the Sustainable Development Goals. Members of Parliament have to handle a plethora of responsibilities for the good of their constituencies, such as enacting legislation, adopt budgets, and ensure accountability for the effective implementation of SDGs. My Constituency app gives the MPs better access to quality data for evidence-based decision making and development planning for their constituencies. This platform was created with a focus on human development data. Its main objectives are to help MPs track the progress of their area, identify pockets for development planning and strengthen interaction with citizens.

Speaking as the chief guest, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP said, “Parliamentarians are the voices of the people and their involvement [in realising the SDGs] is necessary for the good of the people. We must remember that the clock is ticking -- there is only a decade left to reach the SDGs. Meanwhile, there is a global change due to the pandemic, which makes it difficult to keep the economy on track while also ensuring that we stay on the right path for the SDGs. This app was born out of the question -- how can we best use the parliamentary strengthening and cooperation that UNDP provides? This app is driven by the needs of MPs and their feedback has been incorporated into it. It will cater to them, and make it easier for them to find any information they need on their constituency with just a few taps. It will give a whole picture of the constituency, and help MPs identify existing challenges to make evidence-based decisions. Ultimately, it facilitates and accelerates good decision-making, and is open to future improvements. Surely this is a constructive tool for realising the SDGs, but we must not be complacent as it is important to constantly come up with the next step for reaching the goals".

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister of ICT recalled an orientation programme organised with support from UNDP for first-time MPs during his first stint as a parliamentarian. "I attended that programme and so I know how useful UNDP's work is. This app will reflect the citizen's needs and help MPs act accordingly. They can connect their work in their constituency with both the SDGs and the government's overarching vision for development. Data is of huge importance while making these decisions, and the app organises, and to some extent, analyses data on constituencies. It can greatly benefit future decision-making and inclusive development. We want to build a data-driven nation".

Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh in his welcoming speech said, “UNDP is one of the largest organisations in the world in terms of working with parliaments. This time, our work on this app supports the core operations for parliaments, which are agents of change. The platform will allow MPs to see which parts of their constituency are lagging and act accordingly. It will help parliamentarians be in the driving seat of realising agenda 2030. I am happy to have been part of this whole journey, and I hope this app will impact the generation of good data in the country. It is time to act with the power of data in your hands".

Charles Chauvel, team leader for Inclusive Political Processes Governance and Peacebuilding under the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support of UNDP, said, "Spirit of innovation and adaptation of necessary tools are needed for development in the country. The level of talent and dedication in Bangladesh commendable. There is a need to do better in environmental protection and spreading the benefits of economic development throughout Bangladesh, and access to information is key to making evidence-based arguments and decisions. This unique app will surely help parliamentarians stay up-to-date and address these issues".

In the later part of the programme, Anir Chowdhury, Policy Adviser, a2i presented the data platform, while Deputy Speaker, Fazle Rabbi Miah moderated the question and answer session.

Among others, Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan, Senior Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, Zuena Aziz, Principal Coordinator of SDG Affairs at the PMO; Md. Kamal Hossain, Secretary (Coordination & Reforms) of Cabinet Division; Mohammad Tajul Islam, Director General, BBS;  and Radwan Mujib Siddiq, UNDP Consultant, Mozammel Haque, Policy Specialist of UNDP, were present at the event.