The matter was discussed during a courtesy call by Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moeen Khan at the Secretariat on Tuesday (September 8). State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam was present at the meeting.
During the meeting, discussions were held on various issues including enhancing the capacity of local government institutions, decentralisation, balance of power, women's empowerment, tackling climate change, rural infrastructure development, safe water supply and drainage systems.
The minister said the government is committed to holding free, fair and impartial local government elections. The five ordinances related to local government issued by the interim government have been passed as laws in the national parliament. These laws abolished the provision of party nominations and national symbols in elections to city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, district parishads and union parishads.
Besides, discussions were held on training cooperation in higher education and skill development, and the potential for mutual cooperation between the two countries in the renewable energy sector.
State Minister Mir Shah Alam said waste management has become a major challenge due to rapid urbanisation. Along with turning waste into resources through modern technology, opportunities for producing energy from waste must be utilised.
He said it is essential to increase the use of renewable energy for environmental protection and sustainable development. Australia's experience, technology and investment could be important for Bangladesh in this regard. He called for increasing technical cooperation and investment in waste management, waste-to-electricity generation and renewable energy sectors.
The Australian High Commissioner emphasised further strengthening the existing relations between the two countries and expressed her country's interest in increasing cooperation in various fields, including good governance and women's empowerment.
Senior officials of the ministry, including Secretary of the Local Government Division Md. Shahidul Hasan, were present at the meeting.
