Dhaka:Prime Minister's Adviser for Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah has advocated for the development of a more skilled, accountable, ethical, and technology-capable civil service to align with public expectations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Zabihullah, who is also a member of the BNP National Standing Committee, voiced this call while serving as the chief guest at a national consultation meeting titled "Capacity Needs Assessment of the Bangladesh Civil Service" held at the BIAM Foundation in the city.
The meeting was a collaborative effort organized by the Governance Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister's Office and UNDP Bangladesh. During the event, Zabihullah emphasized the importance of a transparent, efficient, and people-friendly administration in executing the government's five-year strategic reform and development framework from July 2026 to June 2031. He highlighted that the civil service's skills, efficiency, and capacity for prompt service delivery are crucial for the success of any policy or program.
Zabihullah also underscored the need for a civil service equipped to tackle administrative challenges in a changing world, noting the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) and data in governance systems globally. He pointed to the experiences of countries like Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, advocating for lifelong learning and competency-based professional development instead of conventional one-time training.
Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, was present as a special guest at the meeting. Other notable speakers included Dr. Delwar Hossain, Director General of the Governance Innovation Unit, and Dr. Rizwan Khair, Associate Professor of North South University, along with senior officials from various ministries and divisions.