Bangladesh NGOs for Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized a discussion meeting in collaboration with the Information Commission on 30 December 2021, Conference Room of Information Commission on SDG 16:10:2, Voluntary National Review, Bangladesh Progress Report, Present Status, Challenges, and Way Forward under Connecting and Empowering Voices for Just, Inclusive and Peaceful Society project supported by Switzerland Embassy in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh SDGs Progress Report 2020’ prepares the ground in the lead up to 2019, highlighting how much more effort will be needed to reach the SDGs and meet the commitment to leave no one behind. The year 2020 is a critical juncture to reflect on the first four years of the agenda 2030 implementation and to allow for adjustments to priorities and course corrections. For Bangladesh, it represents a key window of opportunity to inject urgency and catalyze updated or new commitments from all stakeholders–all of which will be necessary if leave no one behind goal and Agenda 2030 are to be achieved.
The goal of the program is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the implementation of SDG 16.10.2 and making the role of the Information Commission more visible in the SDG Progress Report and Voluntary National Review (VNR).

Mr. Martuza Ahmed, Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commission as Chief Guest while Ms. Suraiya Begum ndc, and Dr. Abdul Malek, Information Commissioner present as Special Guests. A total of 30 participants from the Information Commission, Cabinet Division, General Economics Division, SDGs Coordination office,  attended the discussion meeting.
Mr. Sudatta Chakma, Secretary, Information Commission welcomed the participants and highlighted that the Information Commission has been working for effective implementation of the Information Act 2009 and the community people are being aware of the issue and we have to work to ensure timely information and work on the challenges of implementation of RTI Act 2009.

Mr. A H M Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC highlighted the SDG-16 with a special focus on SDG-16:10:2, SDG Progress Report, and Voluntary National Review (VNR). SDG 16.10.2. Building Capacity for regularly monitoring and reporting on Indicator 16.10.2, Review of existing training materials on the monitoring and reporting on SDG 16.10.2, Planning of sensitization initiatives on the survey on SDG 16.10.2 for 2020, and start a campaign about Information Literacy in line with the Internet Governance Literacy program. 

Mr. Rehan Uddin Ahmed Raju, Consultant BNNRC discussed the UNESCO survey questionnaire on Public Access to Information (SDG Indicator 16:10:2). 

Mr. J. R. Shahriar Director (Admin, Finance and IT), Information Commission emphasized qualitative and quantitative data with a process. The Commission will work for the collection of information from all Upazila and Districts for preparing reports on improving the access to information regime and compliance with international instruments, building institutional capacity, conducting promotional activities, and resolving complaints.

Dr. Abdul Malek, Information Commissioner highlighted in his speech to work for the flow of a good data system. Prime Minister emphasized SDGs Localization and data is an important issue for the SDGs-related report. We have to work for collecting updated data for Annual Report and SDGs Progress Report.

Ms. Suraiya Begum ndc said we have to collect Baseline data from Unions and Upazila and we have to include some new fields for collection of information with emphasis on 16:10:2.

Mr. Martuza Ahmed, Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commission mentioned as Chief Guest that Bangladesh enacted RTI Act 2009 and formed Information Commission will submit questionnaire of UNESCO for the 2021 and will prepare information for VNR. He emphasized undertaking result-oriented activities in this regard. Information literacy is important to counter misinformation, mal-information, and disinformation. Internet governance literacy can play a vital role in this regard. Information Commission in collaboration with ICT Division, and BNNRC can play a vital role in information literacy and internet governance literacy.

Cabinet Division representative Ms. Rebeka Sultana, Mr. Bazlur Rashid of General Economics Division and Mr. Kazi Mohsin Uzzal, Governance Innovation Unit, PMO office took part in the open discussion.

We should prioritize on Localization of SDG-16:10:2, initiate a good data collection and preservation system, collect the most significant cases, study Voluntary National Review, SDGs Progress Report, and prepare a report about SDG 16.10.2 for the year 2022. 
Switzerland Embassy’s representative Mohammad Nadim Rahman, National Program Officer, Migration and Local Governance virtually joined the session.