Implementation of the United Nations Conventions on Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: Institutional and Procedural Setbacks

Abstract

This research discusses the challenging issues which are considered as impediments in the overall implementation of the United Nations conventions on sustainable development in developing countries like Bangladesh. Although sustainable development postulates a desirable future state for human societies in which living conditions and resource-use meet human needs without undermining the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that future generations may also have their needs met. But it is exposed that Bangladesh as a developing country faces very complicated issues for the implementation of United Nations conventions on sustainable development via the existing facilities. Thus, developing countries need international assistance to support adaptation in the context of national planning for sustainable development, more capacity building and transfer of technology and funds. It is also revealed that the institutional structure and service delivery approaches in many cases are appeared barriers to make sure implementation plans towards all three dimensions of sustainable development such as economic, social and environmental. However, this research follows the mixed-method approach in the nature of research inquiry and depends on primary data largely through secondary data that has also been taken into consideration in numerous cases for suitable interpretation. Stratified Random Sampling was used to collect data from a range of institutions, organizations and civil societies. For this, various data collection techniques such as focus group discussion, interview, and open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires have been followed. The data have been presented in a descriptive pattern with some statistical analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative data have been analyzed by using suitable tools and techniques like MS Word, Excel and SPSS. The study has disclosed that major challenges of implementation of the United Nations conventions on sustainable development in Bangladesh. The study also incorporated, based on findings, some suggestions for the implementation of the United Nations conventions on sustainable development in Bangladesh through which the goals of sustainable development can be accomplished.