Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday said the government is firmly committed to ensuring safe,
affordable, environment-friendly and sustainable housing with basic services and facilities for all citizens.
“Ensuring not merely a house but housing that is safe, affordable, environment-friendly and equipped
with basic services and facilities is the government’s goal,” he said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the opening ceremony of World Habitat Day 2026, organised by the
Ministry of Housing and Public Works, at the Hall of Fame of the Bangladesh-China Friendship
Conference Centre yesterday morning.
He said the government has taken all possible measures to ensure “Universal Housing, Sustainable
Urbanisation”, stressing that liveable, affordable, environment-friendly and safe housing with basic
services and facilities is a fundamental right of citizens and that the government is firmly committed to
ensuring it.
The Prime Minister said World Habitat Day is not merely about having a house, as it is directly linked
with safe water, uninterrupted electricity, improved sanitation, public transport, better road management,
education and healthcare, adequate employment opportunities and, above all, a safe environment for a
dignified life.
“Ensuring safe and sustainable housing for all citizens is not as easy in a densely populated country like
Bangladesh as it is in developed countries,” he said.
He added, “Bangladesh must face every challenge and move forward in line with the rest of the world to
sustain itself with dignity in the competitive global arena”.
Referring to the growing population in the country’s cities and urban areas, Tarique Rahman said Dhaka
is currently under excessive population pressure, while other cities are facing almost similar situations.
“Several times more people are living in urban areas than their normal capacity, creating various crises in
urban life,” he said.
The Prime Minister said building planned, safe, environment-friendly and inclusive cities is one of the
government’s major goals.
The Prime Minister said development authorities have already been formed in Sylhet, Mymensingh,
Barishal, Cumilla, Rangpur and Narayanganj.
“This will make it easier to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 of the United Nations
through the development of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities,” he added.
Referring to measures to ease population pressure in urban areas, The Prime Minister said, “Improving
faster, affordable and safe connectivity between Dhaka and other cities and the rest of the country, while
increasing civic amenities in rural areas, can be an effective alternative to reduce pressure on urban
areas.”
In this connection, he said the government has already taken and started implementing various measures
to this end.
The Prime Minister said the government has already undertaken plans for spatial planning across the
country under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and for developing secondary
townships around Dhaka.
Besides, a three day housing fair has been organized at the lobby of the Bangladesh-China Friendship
Conference Centre marking the day.
Later, a discussion on the theme of the day was organised with Housing and Public Works Minister
Zakaria Taher in the chair. Secretary of the ministry Md. Obaidur Rahman delivered the welcome address
on the occasion.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Housing and Public Works State
Minister Ahammad Sohel Monzoor and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Carol Flore-
Smereczniak addressed the programme as special guests.
