A two-day international seminar on strengthening local government institutions (LGIs) will begin in Dhaka on Saturday with the participation of three other Asian countries -India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

“Towards Effective, Accountable and Inclusive LGIs: Learning from South Asia and Beyond” is the theme of the seminar organised by the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Ministry of LGRD, with the support from National Institute of Local Government (NILG), Upazila Governance Project (UZGP) and Union Parishad Governance Project (UPGP).

Representatives from Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) of India, Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG) of Sri Lanka and Asian Institute of Developmental Studies, Inc. (AIDSI) of Philippines are attending the seminar.

The delegates of the participating countries will present papers on existing LG system and good practices from their country perspectives.  

A total of nine studies, conducted by UZGP and UPGP, on local governance, decentralization, fiscal decentralization, local service delivery and empowerment of women will be presented in five business sessions at the seminar.

LGD Secretary Abdul Malek will open the seminar. UNDP Country Director Sudipto Mukerjee and Head of Cooperation of DANIDA Peter Bøgh Jensen will also remain present as guests, said a statement.

(bdnews24.com)