Bangladesh Reaffirms Climate-Resilient Urban Vision

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to building inclusive, affordable, climate-resilient and sustainable cities, highlighting planned urbanisation, affordable housing and balanced regional development as central pillars of its national development strategy.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monzoor made the remarks while addressing the high-level meeting on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on July 16.

He said Bangladesh views urbanisation as a powerful driver of economic growth, social inclusion and climate resilience.

The state minister said that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's "Bangladesh First" policy, the government is advancing coordinated spatial planning, expanding access to affordable housing, strengthening local governance and improving urban infrastructure in line with the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He outlined Bangladesh's long-term urban development strategy, which focuses on integrated spatial planning, digital land management, innovative urban financing, balanced regional development and climate-responsive infrastructure.

Reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment to international cooperation, Monzoor called for stronger global partnerships, greater technology transfer, enhanced capacity-building and innovative financing to accelerate sustainable urban development.

He stressed that collective global efforts are essential to building cities that are inclusive, resilient and sustainable, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.