MUNICIPAL Association of Bangladesh (MAB) will host at least 250 participants from across the world at the 2nd International Conference on Local Government 2015 scheduled to take place in Sonargaon Hotel in the capital Dhaka, on the 27-28 March 2015. The main goal of the conference is to promote local government domestically and internationally with technical session, workshops, discussions on best practices and thematic shows.
Honorable Ministers, MPs, Secretaries, Ambassadors, LG Experts, NGOs, Development Partners, Business Community, Media and LG representatives are expected to attend the conference. Delegates from 10-12 countries including International Associations and Networks, Elected Representatives, Executives and Experts will also take part in the conference and exchange knowledge, share views and ideas on set issues.
According to MAB’s Secretary General Mayor Shamim Al Razi, the conference will have 10 different sessions that all are related to local government issues. MAB is the united platform of municipalities in Bangladesh working to strengthen local governments since 2003. This local government association is engaged in promoting local governance, enhancing capacity of local governments, building coalition and networks, conducting studies on critical issues and carrying out policy advocacy.
Speaking to UCLG Secretariat’s Media & Communication Manager here in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, Mayor Shamim Al Razi from Dhaka in Bangladesh shares his strong optimism that Honorable President of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh H.E. Abdul Hamid will be presented as Chief Guest at the inaugural session on 27 March 2015. “We are also expecting Honorable Speaker Mr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury to be present as Chief Guest of the closing session on 28 March2015,” Mayor Shamim Al Razi says.
Bangladesh’s perspective
From Bangladesh’s perspective, he adds, the urgency to hold such event in Bangladesh reflects the fast growing development of the country which is now rapidly urbanized and most of the rural people are inclined towards urban area. Right now, Mayor Shamim Al Razi confirms, the urbanization rate for Bangladesh is 54%. “So it is very important to give emphasis on urban area and from local government side, municipalities are playing a vital role as the lower tier of urban local government,” he concludes.
Constitutionally, Bangladesh has a strong focus in local government but in practice, it could not reach the lower tiers, that’s why decentralization is very important. The involvement of local government at all levels will only be possible when local government authorities are empowered in every sector. “We are organizing such conference in 2013 for the first time and we have received huge response. Hence, we are going to organize this conference for the second time,” Mayor Shamim Al Razi says.
In reference to the capital city of Dhaka, MAB’s Secretary General Mayor Shamim Al Razi confirms that Dhaka is the largest city of Bangladesh and is located in the geographic center of the country. It lies in the great deltaic region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
With its colorful history and rich cultural traditions, Dhaka is known to the world as the city of mosques and muslins. Its fame has attracted travelers from far and near.. “Today, Dhaka has grown into a mega city of about 8.5 million people, with an area of about 1353 sq. km. which becomes the hub of the nation’s industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities,” he explains.
Dhaka is located in one of the world’s leading rice and jute or natural raw jute growing regions. It includes jute textile industries, muslin and cotton industries and also food processing, especially rice milling. A variety of other consumer goods are also manufactured here.
The Muslim influence is reflected by more than 700 mosques and historic buildings found throughout the city, including the prominent Baitull Mukarram-National Mosque, the seven Domed Mosque (17th century), Star Mosque (18th century) , Chawkbazar Mosque and Huseni Dalan Mosque.
The University of Dhaka (1921) and several technical schools and museums are located in the country’s capital. “Curzon Hall is the beautiful architectural building named after Lord Curzon. It now houses the Science Faculty of Dhaka University. The symbol of Bengali nationalism was found in the Central Shahid Minar Monument which was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather on 21 February every year to pay respect in a solemn atmosphere. Celebrations begin at zero hour of midnight,” Maor Shamim Al Razi explains. (MH)
Additional reports: MAB’s Secretary General Mayor Shamim Al Razi
