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Dr. Dilara Begum Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Information Studies and Library Management, East West University was invited as the Speaker at the side-event to the UNESCAP Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development. The session was organized by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), it was held on 23 March 2021 and focused on the topic “Informed Citizens, Societies, and Governments for Sustainable and Resilient Recovery”. The goal of the session was to encourage participants to think about information as something that requires not only attention, but also a coherent and comprehensive policy approach if we are to make progress across the SDGs. Dr. Dilara Begum talked about why is access to information, in all of its dimensions so important for development. She drew from practical example of how information has made a real difference against one or more of the SDGs. Her talk also focused on the impacts that the COVID 19 pandemic had on the supply of, and demand for, information. Lastly, she concluded by giving recommendations to decision-makers about how they can better support access to information as part of the response to, and recovery from, COVID 19. She highlighted on ensuring that libraries and information are considered as part of the creation of national development strategies. 

The other Speakers of the session were Vicki McDonald, State Librarian of Queensland, Australia and Priyanka Mohan, MS Sowaminathan Research Foundation, India. The session was moderated by Stephen Wyber, Manager, Policy and Advocacy, IFLA