Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated on Monday that the government maintains a firm commitment to guaranteeing safe, affordable, environment-friendly, and sustainable housing complete with essential services and amenities for every citizen.

"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 affirmed.

The Prime Minister delivered these remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of World Habitat Day 2026, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works at the Hall of Fame within the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre this morning.

He emphasized that the government has enacted all feasible measures to advance the vision of "Universal Housing, Sustainable Urbanisation," underscoring that access to liveable, economical, eco-friendly, and safe shelter paired with basic utilities constitutes a fundamental citizen right.

Elaborating on the broader scope of urban development, the Prime Minister noted that World Habitat Day extends beyond the physical provision of shelter, as it remains directly interconnected with access to clean water, continuous power supply, upgraded sanitation, public transit, enhanced road networks, education, medical care, sufficient employment prospects and an overall safe living environment necessary 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 observed, adding that "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."

Addressing the rapid demographic expansion across domestic urban centers, PM Tarique Rahman highlighted that Dhaka is currently enduring acute population strain, while other municipal areas face comparable burdens.

He noted that urban populations have far surpassed normal capacity limits, generating compounding urban crises.

Consequently, building planned, safe, eco-friendly, and inclusive municipalities stands as a paramount government objective, with special priority assigned toward securing liveable, secure, and dignified housing options for low- and lower-middle-income demographics.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that systematically planned urban development and housing provisions for limited-income groups represent key electoral pledges.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works is actively pursuing these targets, including the formulation of comprehensive master plans for every City Corporation and district.

Development authorities have already been instituted in Sylhet, Mymensingh, Barishal, Cumilla, Rangpur, and Narayanganj to streamline progress toward achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 regarding inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements.

To alleviate demographic pressure on central urban hubs, PM Tarique Rahman proposed that "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."

He confirmed that the government has already initiated implementation of various programs to shift development away from capital-centric paradigms toward decentralized, balanced regional growth.

Under the oversight of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, national spatial planning endeavors and the development of secondary townships surrounding Dhaka are currently underway.

Furthermore, the National Housing Authority and regional development bodies are prioritizing environmental conservation while executing housing projects across divisional, district, and upazila levels.

Acknowledging broader geopolitical realities, the Prime Minister remarked that "recent global political and economic developments have created both challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh," assuring that the administration continues working transparently to resolve urban challenges efficiently.

Recognizing the magnitude of the urban housing shortage, he noted that state efforts alone would be insufficient, stating that "the coordinated participation of private entrepreneurs in the housing sector and other relevant stakeholders can play an effective and important role in addressing the situation."

Ongoing initiatives to guarantee fundamental citizen rights include promoting block-based housing, developing designated public parks and playgrounds, and establishing industrial zones.

"I believe that if the government can gradually implement all the plans it has undertaken, 'safe housing for all' will become a reality for the citizens of the country, InshaAllah," he concluded.

Observed under the theme "Universal Housing, Sustainable Urbanisation," the event opened with recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures, the screening of a commemorative documentary, and the unveiling of an official publication by the Prime Minister.

Prior to entering the hall, PM Tarique Rahman planted a golden champa sapling on the conference centre grounds. A three-day housing exposition was also launched in the venue's lobby.

The formal inauguration was followed by a thematic discussion chaired by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, featuring a welcome address by Ministry Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman.

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 delivered remarks as special guests.