Bangladesh Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Urban Development at World Urban Forum in Baku

Following the opening ceremony, a ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda was held.

A Bangladesh delegation led by Ferdousi Begum, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, participated in the session. The delegation also included Deputy Secretary Md. Abdul Awal, Chief Urban Planner Md. Ashraful Islam, and Chief Architect Md. Asifur Rahman Bhuiyan.

Alongside representatives from more than 55 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, the Bangladesh delegation reaffirmed its commitment to building sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and people-centered cities.

The delegation highlighted that the New Urban Agenda, adopted by world leaders in 2016, continues to serve as a global framework for urban transformation. Bangladesh stated that it has been consistently working toward planned urbanization, affordable housing, and climate-resilient development in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the ministerial meeting, Bangladesh emphasized the importance of its newly formulated Spatial Planning Act. The delegation said the government is implementing integrated planning initiatives to ensure balanced population distribution and planned urban growth across the country.

Major urban development initiatives such as Purbachal New Town, Jhilmil Residential Project, and Uttara Third Phase Project were also highlighted.

According to the delegation, these projects are playing a significant role in reducing pressure on Dhaka while helping develop modern and well-planned urban areas.

Affordable and Inclusive Housing

The Bangladesh delegation stated that “Housing for All” remains one of the country’s top urban development priorities. The meeting also highlighted slum development projects in areas such as Tongi Dattapara and Korail Slum, along with floor area ratio-based incentives designed to ensure affordable housing for low- and middle-income groups.

Bangladesh also reaffirmed its commitment to climate resilience through public housing programs, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable construction initiatives developed in partnership with international organizations.

The delegation further presented the Old Dhaka Revitalization Project as a major initiative aimed at improving livability and safety while preserving cultural heritage.

Bangladesh expressed gratitude for continued support from organizations including UN-Habitat, World Bank, UNOPS, and UNESCAP in promoting inclusive housing, urban resilience, and sustainable urban development, including efforts to prevent land degradation in Cox's Bazar.

The regional office of UN-Habitat for Asia and the Pacific, along with its Bangladesh office, also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting sustainable urban development across the region. The Bangladesh delegation at the forum is being supported by UNEP and UNOPS.