Local Governance

The displacement has sparked humanitarian worries, with aid groups warning of food insecurity and health risks in winter.

With mobile subscriber numbers near saturation and data consumption climbing, Bangladesh’s telecom industry has been viewed as a cornerstone of the government’s digital ambitions – but the current operating environment, he argues, undermines that potential.

Over 30 exporters, nine importers and around 50 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) from Assam participated in the conclave, reflecting growing interest in the region’s export potential.

This tradition spans generations: families arrive annually, relying on the Magh Mela as a vital source of income through boat services for pilgrims. Many carry licenses from previous years as proof of their long-standing participation. Yet this year, a bureaucratic hurdle has left them stranded.

In a bold move to address one of Maldive’s most pressing challenges – severe housing shortages in the densely populated capital region – the Maldives government has rolled out its comprehensive ‘Housing for All’ policy.

Nepal’s battle against child labour remains a complex struggle of law, tradition, and socioeconomic fragility, even as pockets of progress emerge.

The meeting also reviewed management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, with emphasis on designating C&D waste sites, stopping demolition activities during peak pollution periods, and partnering recycler associations for scientific disposal.

Bangladesh ranks among the world’s most climate‑vulnerable countries while contributing less than one per cent of global GHG emissions, facing recurring climate induced disasters that damage agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods, with annual climate finance needs estimated at over USD 26 billion, especially for adaptation and loss and damage.