6 October 2026, Dhaka, Bangladesh – On Monday 5 October, Bangladesh observed World Habitat Day 2026 under the global theme “Adequate Housing for All”. Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman, MP, attended the national ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre as Chief Guest.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works organised the observance, chaired by Minister Mr. Zakaria Taher, MP. Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, and State Minister for Housing and Public Works Mr. Ahammad Sohel Manjur, MP, attended as Special Guests. Secretary Mr. Md. Obaidur Rahman gave the welcome address.

The Prime Minister unveiled a commemorative publication and opened the Habitat Fair, a three-day exhibition of housing and urban solutions that runs until 7 October.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations in Bangladesh, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim Ms. Carol Flore-Smereczniak congratulated the Government on the National Urban Policy 2025, approved in January 2026. She said the policy gives Bangladesh a national framework for planned, inclusive and climate-resilient urban development.

“A home is where a child does homework under a safe roof, where a woman feels secure at night, and where an older person can age with dignity,” said Ms. Flore-Smereczniak. “When we build homes, we build everything else. The United Nations is proud to walk this road with Bangladesh.”

UN-Habitat was represented by Mr. Srinivasa Popuri, Deputy Regional Director and Focal Point for the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Mr. Popuri joined the national ceremony and addressed the afternoon seminar hosted by the Urban Development Directorate (UDD), UN-Habitat’s government focal point in Bangladesh.

“Adequate housing for all is ambitious, and Bangladesh has met ambitious goals before,” said Mr. Popuri. “With the National Urban Policy in place, the task now is delivery. UN-Habitat stands with the Government and people of Bangladesh in that work, from planning and data to pilots that can scale nationally.”

Mr. Popuri noted that 2026 is the midpoint of the New Urban Agenda, and that the World Urban Forum in Baku in May put housing at the centre of urban policy. He urged the seminar to close with named actions and timelines.