The Current Status of the Aid Effectiveness Agenda in Bangladesh

This chapter investigates the present implementation status of the aid effectiveness agenda in Bangladesh. It reveals, despite being one of the major aid recipients and a former co-chair of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) platform, Bangladesh has experienced a remarkable slowdown in aid effectiveness-related activities. It identifies several key factors—including transition from aid to development effectiveness agenda, unbinding nature of the GPEDC, and lack of enthusiasms amongst development partners (DPs)—contributing to this. While mechanisms like the Local Consultative Group (LCG), LCG Sector Working Groups (LCG-WG), and the Aid Effectiveness Working Group (AEWG) exist nominally, they remain largely inactive. Evidence suggests that the Development Effectiveness Wing (DEW) of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) focuses more on participation at international events than local level implementation of the ‘unfinished business’ of the aid agenda. Moreover, donor-driven visibility at international forums also contrasts with the ground-level reality. This chapter argues that the lack of commitment from both sides and uncoordinated efforts jeopardize aid management reforms for decades. It emphasizes the need for a renewed focus on country-level engagement, transparency, and mutual accountability to ensure that the ‘unfinished business’ of the aid effectiveness agenda—such as ownership and harmonization—is not stagnantly undermined.