The World Habitat Day-2024 will be observed on Monday in the country as elsewhere in the world under the theme “Engaging youth to create a better urban future.”

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of each year as the World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of towns and cities.

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages wishing all the programmes taken for the day a success.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin in his message said the young generation can play an important role in the introduction of inclusive safe housing and better urban systems for all.

‘All the public-private stakeholders including civil society and the young generation will have to take collective initiatives to build safe, livable, modern and sustainable towns and cities for the next generations,’ he said.

In a separate message, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said the Article 15 of the Constitution guarantees the people’s basic rights, inc
luding food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care. ‘The current government is determined to ensure these basic rights of people, including housing,’ he said.

Like many towns in the developing countries, the cities or towns in Bangladesh could not ensure an inclusive sustainable urban development system yet, he said.

‘Small and big towns of this country are suffering from poverty, discrimination, corruption, economic and social chaos, civil insecurity, environmental disaster and climate change. In order to make the development of the country fast and sustainable, the government is making and implementing proper plans to eliminate all these obstacles,’ said the Chief Adviser.

Noting that the youth is a symbol of strength, courage and change, Prof Yunus said, ‘I believe that the indomitable talent, hard work and integrity of the youths will shine a new light on us in realizing the dream of establishing a discrimination-free Bangladesh.’

Prof Yunus hoped that the technical knowledge, excellence and i
nitiative of the youths and the experiences of the elderly citizens would contribute significantly in establishing developed and safe cities in Bangladesh.

Source:United News of Bangladesh