US Urges Dhaka to Use ‘Blue Dot Network’

Richard Nephew, the global anti-corruption coordinator for the US Department of State, has talked of using the "Blue Dot Network" to increase transparency in Bangladeshi infrastructure investments and finance.

On Monday, he met with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and spoke about this and other topics.

"They made the attempt to argue that when investment or sizable infrastructure projects are performed, there is a 'Blue Dot Network' where finance is taken into consideration while taking various components of the project into account. Therefore, we should continue making preparations in case such a circumstance arises in the future (for Bangladesh), the foreign secretary said following the meeting.

A technique for certifying infrastructure projects that adhere to strict international quality requirements is the Blue Dot Network. 

According to the US government, the Blue Dot Network was established as a multilateral initiative to promote the ideas of sustainable infrastructure development around the world by the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

"The Blue Dot Network seeks to promote high-quality infrastructure investment that is open and inclusive, transparent, financially viable, aligned with the Paris Agreement, environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and in compliance with international standards, laws, and regulations."

By certifying projects to exacting standards of excellence, it seeks to attract investment.

An American punishment specialist named Richard Nephew came in Dhaka on Sunday. At the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), he was welcomed by representatives.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while announcing his appointment on July 5, said: "Richard’s experience and dedication will be an asset to our efforts worldwide to address transnational corruption and kleptocracy, key components of the White House Strategy on Countering Corruption.”

In advance of the general elections that will take place by January of next year, the US was the focus of Bangladesh's political interest at the time of his visit.

The US declared a new immigration policy for anybody who would obstruct the staging of free and fair elections, and it sanctioned the elite police group Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

From December 11 to 15, Atlanta, Georgia, will serve as the host city for the 10th Conference of the States Parties (COSP) of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Bangladesh was asked by Richard Nephew to take part in the conference, which is the premier international platform for discussing the execution of the treaty's anti-corruption objectives.

It will convene the 189 states parties to the UNCAC, as well as a variety of civil society stakeholders from around the world to focus on ways to advance anti-corruption obligations and policy priorities.

The meeting will also mark the 20th anniversary of the UNCAC.