ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews linkages between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the least developed country (LDC) graduation criteria. It also examines how SDGs are linked with the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA), and with Bangladesh’s national policies. A mapping exercise and network analyses reveal that a total of 108 SDG targets have linkages with LDC graduation criteria. Comparison of the IPoA priority areas with the SDGs shows that 83 SDG targets have potential linkages with eight priority areas of the IPoA. Eighty-three SDG targets match with the objectives of the Seventh Five Year Plan (7FYP) of Bangladesh in one way or the other while 12 SDG targets match with a few sectoral policies. Granger causality and pairwise correlation tests indicate that there is significant causality and correlation between eight SDG indicators and gross national income (GNI) per capita graduation criterion, and between two SDG indicators and the Human Assets Index (HAI). The study suggests that pursuing the SDGs is useful for Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC group and smooth transition given that there are linkages among indicators. There should be prioritisation of the SDG targets for implementation in the country. For smooth LDC graduation, attention should be paid to the SDG targets which are not reflected in national and sectoral policies.
