The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Norway signed an agreement on Tuesday to support judicial independence in Bangladesh.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the Norwegian embassy in Dhaka, according to a press statement.
The initiative, officially titled “Consolidating Justice Reforms for Long Term Stability and Economic Growth in Bangladesh 2026″, aims to strengthen judicial independence, enhance the operational readiness of the Supreme Court Secretariat, and drive long‑term justice sector reforms to improve public trust and democratic governance.
The agreement was signed by Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller and Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen.
Under this partnership, UNDP and Norway will support infrastructure development and provide essential equipment required to operationalise the Supreme Court Secretariat.
The initiative will also build the capacity of newly appointed secretariat staff through specialised training to enhance effective judicial self‑administration. In addition, the project will convene dialogues among the judiciary, government, legal professionals, academia, and civil society to foster deeper understanding and support for judicial independence, the statement went on to add.
Signing the agreement, Stefan Liller said, “Bangladesh has made significant progress in strengthening the justice sector, from establishing the Supreme Court Secretariat to advancing merit‑based judicial appointments and expanding citizen‑focused services. This new partnership with Norway will help translate these reforms into sustained institutional practice.”
Ambassador Gulbrandsen added, “Judicial independence is essential for democratic governance, economic stability, and public confidence. Norway is pleased to support Bangladesh in consolidating the important reforms already underway, reforms that modernise court administration, strengthen accountability, and improve dispute resolution for both citizens and businesses. We believe this initiative will make a meaningful contribution to long‑term stability, stronger institutions, and a justice system that people can trust.”
Through this agreement, the statement went on to say that UNDP and Norway reaffirm their commitment to advancing justice sector reforms and strengthening the rule of law as a foundation for sustainable development and democratic governance in Bangladesh.
