Over sixty Parliamentarians from across countries such as Bhutan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Uzbegistan, India and Bangladesh are assembling along with Civil Society Organisations to review progress on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and discuss a framework for a better future at a sub-regional forum in Dhaka on 10th and 11th December.

This unique initiative is meant to bring together parliamentarians and CSOs, who represent people in two diverse ways, for a collaborative discourse on themes such as inequality and governance. Outcomes of this meeting will be provided as inputs to the High Level Panel meetings. Accelerated actions must continue for the world to achieve the MDG targets by 2015.

Progressive policies adopted by a state play a transforming role in lifting people out of poverty and distress. As custodians of the legislative process, parliamentarians could contribute significantly to the way the world is shaped in the future.

The Forum, which is being hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Bangladesh and jointly organized by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) with support of the Rockefeller Foundation, a number of United Nations agencies, global civil society networks etc, will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed.