Staff Correspondent

State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari underscored the imperative to enhance the administrative and professional capabilities of Bangladesh's civil service amid evolving global realities during a special seminar organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Dhaka on Thursday.

Titled "Development Cooperation in a Complex Global Environment – Perspectives on Japan’s ODA and Future Partnerships," the seminar brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and international experts to review contemporary Official Development Assistance (ODA) frameworks and chart the future direction of Japan-Bangladesh bilateral relations.

Delivering his address as chief guest on Thursday, State Minister Md. Abdul Bari noted that Japan remains a cornerstone development partner for Bangladesh, expressing confidence that future cooperation will focus on public administration reform and establishing a merit-based, professional civil service. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi attended as special guest.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky addressed the gathering as special guest, highlighting the need for institutional capacity building, knowledge exchange, sustainable infrastructure, and climate resilience. The seminar featured a welcome address by JICA Bangladesh Office Chief Representative Junko Takahashi, a keynote presentation by Kyoto University Professor Hiroshi Nakanishi, and a panel discussion moderated by Ryutaro Murotani, Senior Deputy Director General of JICA Headquarters' Operations Strategy Department, featuring additional contributions from Ministry of Public Administration Additional Secretary Md. Mohammad Monirul Islam and Dhaka University Professor S. M. Ali Reza.