The central issue discussed on Sunday was the mutual accountability between the government and donors. This topic was highlighted during a discussion about the Joint Cooperation Strategy (JCS) that was established during a policy-making meeting earlier this year. The Bangladesh Development Forum had previously agreed that this strategy would help coordinate development efforts. The session on Sunday, led by finance minister A M A Muhith, aimed to gather input on the draft framework from members of the civil society such as economists, NGO leaders, and former government officials. However, the focus of the discussion was mainly on the details of mutual accountability. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, the head of the Palli Karma Shahayak Fund and a member of various high-powered committees on education policy and climate change, noted that issues such as unemployment, underemployment, and education were not adequately addressed in the draft Joint Cooperation Strategy (JCS). Ahmad highlighted the discrepancies between growth projections published by various agencies and the government's forecasts, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing these projections in the JCS. He expressed concern about development partners' lack of support for this approach. While the JCS draft emphasizes the importance of improving "mutual accountability" to enhance aid effectiveness, former caretaker government advisor A B Mirza Azizul Islam pointed out that the draft does not specify how this accountability will be measured. He stated that there are no clear criteria to assess the JCS's performance, according to an individual. Others also agreed with this viewpoint. On the topic of aid conditions, Islam mentioned that some conditions set by development partners are not applicable. Regarding the government's challenges, he suggested creating project portfolios for development partners to select specific projects for funding. Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of a research organization in Dhaka, highlighted the commitment of developed nations to provide 0.7 percent of their national income in aid to impoverished countries. "What has happened to the accountability of that commitment?" questioned Senior Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta during parliament discussions on the JCS draft. The framework is intended for the welfare of the people and the parliament is meant to represent those people, emphasized the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice, and parliamentary affairs ministry. To ensure mutual accountability and monitor project outcomes and efficiency, the prime minister's economic advisor Mashiur Rahman suggested the formation of a body with representatives from the government and development partners. Wrapping up the session, the finance minister noted that the draft lacked important areas such as migration, land utilization plans, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He stated the significance of having a land use plan for the country's planned growth, emphasizing the importance of ICT as a valuable tool for development that promotes transparency and helps prevent corruption.