Policy Dialogue Held in Sylhet to Strengthen NGO Service Delivery

Stakeholders in Sylhet unite to modernize NGO services through digitisation, policy reform, and stronger partnerships under the ISPAT project.

August 12, 2025

A panel of speakers at a conference on NGO representatives and field administration. — Senior government officials, NGO leaders, and development partners at the Policy Dialogue in Sylhet under the ISPAT project, jointly implemented by NGOAB and UNDP Bangladesh with support from the Australian Government, to enhance NGO service delivery through digitisation and policy reform.

©UNDP Bangladesh

A divisional-level Policy Dialogue with NGO Representatives and Field Administration was held today (12 August 2025) at a hotel in Sylhet under the Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Accelerated Transformation (ISPAT) project, implemented by the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, with support from the Australian Government.

The event brought together senior government officials, NGO leaders, and field administration representatives to discuss ways to improve and simplify NGOAB’s service delivery processes—covering procedures, acts, circulars, forms, and online systems.

A man with glasses speaks at a podium during a formal event, with a backdrop of text. — Md Daud Miah, ndc, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau, addresses participants at the Sylhet Policy Dialogue under the ISPAT project, emphasizing collaboration, automation, and digitisation to enhance NGO service delivery.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Md Daud Miah, ndc, Director General, NGO Affairs Bureau, Chief Advisor’s Office, attended as the Chief Guest. He noted, “ISPAT’s success will rely on active participation, collaboration, and the shared commitment of all stakeholders to harness automation and digitisation in eradicating poverty and delivering better services to citizens."

Muhammad Sher Mahbub Murad, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet, attended as a Special Guest and stated, "Today’s dialogue underscored the importance of skill development, system enhancement, and inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable impact and improved service delivery."

Syed Haider, First Secretary, Australian High Commission, highlighted the role of partnerships, saying, “Through initiatives like ISPAT, we can strengthen governance, foster accountability, and ensure that both government and NGOs work hand in hand to serve communities more effectively, leaving no one behind in our journey toward sustainable development."

Keynote presentations were delivered by Azizul Haque Sarder, Project Manager, ISPAT, UNDP and Dr. K. M. Mamun Uzzaman, Director, NGO Affairs Bureau, outlining reforms such as reducing NGO registration and project approval timelines, upgrading digital platforms, and integrating gender-responsive service delivery.

Participants from various NGOs, along with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), engaged in open discussions, offering recommendations to strengthen coordination, modernize the online system, ensure transparent processes, and better recognize NGOs’ contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sheela Tasneem Haq, Senior Governance Specialist, UNDP, delivered the opening remarks while closing remarks were given by Asif Kashem, Senior Programme Manager, Australian High Commission.

The ISPAT project, running from July 2024 to June 2027, aims to enhance NGOAB’s institutional and professional capacity, promote innovation, and improve the enabling policy environment, ultimately equipping the Bureau to better manage foreign donations and support NGOs in driving national development.