Bangladesh moves 2 notches up in HDI
Bangladesh has moved up two notches in the original Human Development Index (HDI) to 133 in comparison to last year, says a new report on Monday.
However, it remains fifth among the eight south Parts of Asia covered in the report but bounced up nine notches in the new planetary pressures-adjusted human development index (PHDI), reports UNB.
With the COVID-19 pandemic being the latest crisis facing the world, a fresh report published globally by the US Development Programme (UNDP) warns that unless humans release their grip on nature, it will not be the last.
The Human Development Report (HDR) 2020 titled, The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene, launched in Bangladesh on Monday, six days following the global launch, includes a new experimental index on human progress.
The report states that Bangladesh has made impressive strides in human development. Between 1990 and 2019, Bangladesh's HDI value has increased by 60.4 percent.
Bangladesh's 2019 HDI is above the average for countries in the medium human development group.
Between 1990-2019, Bangladesh's life expectancy at birth increased by 14.4 years, mean years of schooling increased by 3.4 years, and expected years of schooling increased by 6.0 years.
Bangladesh's GNI per capita also increased by about 220.1 percent between 1990 and 2019.
"Despite numerous challenges, Bangladesh is focused on nourishing the fitness of our world, and working towards creating a "Shonar Bangla," as envisioned by the daddy of our Nation," said Planning Minister MA Mannan, who unveiled the report in Bangladesh.
He saidthe strain on the planet mirrors any risk of strain facing many of the societies, and climate change, among other dangerous planetary changes, is only going to make them worse.
UNDP Bangladesh's Resident Representative, Sudipto Mukerjee, pointed out that the Coronavirus pandemic's collateral costs far outweigh the increased loss of lives.
"To name some of the obvious, such as a huge number of people pushed into poverty due to lost livelihoods, increased inequalities, increased gender-based violence, increased risks of having a huge proportion of children and youth dropping out of education, etc.," Sudipto pointed out.
"Scientists have already been warning of a pandemic like this for years, as a reflection of the pressures persons put on THE WORLD," he continued. "HDR 2020 points out that our future isn't about choosing between persons or trees. It's about choosing to accomplish things differently."
"Choices that could stop the pandemic and end poverty, close the digital divide, and tackle the climate emergency so that we utilize this unique moment in time to move to another frontier for folks and planet," he said, calling for increased cooperation for a much better future.
The 30th Anniversary Edition of the report, the HDI, which often measures a nation's health, education, and living standards, has been adjusted to include two more elements: a country's skin tightening and emissions and its own material footprint.
The adjustment now shows how the global development landscape would change if both well-being of folks and the earth were central to defining humanity's progress.
For example, more than 50 countries dropped out of your high human development group, reflecting their reliance on fossil fuels and material footprint.
"As this report shows, no country on the globe has yet achieved high human development without putting immense pressure on the planet. But we could be the first generation to right this wrong. This is the next frontier for human development," said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, during the global launch
The launch included a presentation detailing the new PHDI by Balazs Hovarth, Senior Economic Advisor, UNDP Asia Pacific.
Following launching, a panel discussion was held with the participation of Prof. Shamsul Alam, Senior Secretary, GED, Planning Commission; Prof. Saleemul Huq, Climate Scientist, Director ICCAD; Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue; Dr. Samia Huq, Anthropologist, Dean of General Studies, BRAC University; and Ar. Iqbal Habib, Architect and Environmentalist. Shahidul Haque, Former Senior Secretary, Foreign Affairs, moderated the discussion.
