Nairobi – Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, held a meeting today with UN-HABITAT Executive Director Maimunah Mohd. Sharif at her office, ahead of the 2nd UN-HABITAT Assembly. Minister Momen discussed the progress of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s flagship Ashrayan project, which aims to provide free-of-cost houses on government land to the homeless and landless individuals across the country. He extended an invitation to the Executive Director to visit Bangladesh soon and witness the project’s impact on its beneficiaries. Additionally, Minister Momen briefed the UN-HABITAT Executive Director about Prime Minister Hasina’s Amar Bari, Amar Khamar (My Home, My Farm) program, designed to ensure sustainable living around homesteads.
Executive Director Sharif acknowledged her participation in a high-level side-event on the gender-responsive social housing project held in New York in September 2022, attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She commended the vision of Prime Minister Hasina to provide civic amenities in villages through her Amar Gram, Amar Shohor (My Village, My City) program. Executive Director Sharif urged Bangladesh to support UN-HABITAT’s upcoming initiatives on slum upgradation and urban housing, assuring continued financing and knowledge-based support for a sustainable urban future in Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Minister Momen emphasized the crucial importance of addressing the housing and service needs of climate migrants in urban areas. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s efforts to provide safe and climate-resilient housing to the forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar in Bhashan Char.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya, Tareque Muhammad, was present at the meeting, demonstrating the country’s commitment to the discussions. The 2nd UN-HABITAT Assembly, focusing on accelerating Sustainable Development Goals for a sound urban future amidst multiple global crises, is scheduled to take place from 5th to 9th June 2023. The Assembly is expected to be attended by approximately 4,000 participants from national and local governments, civil society, and media. A delegation from Bangladesh, including representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Housing & Public Works, is actively participating in the Assembly. As part of his visit, Foreign Minister Momen also interacted with Bangladeshi expatriates based in Nairobi at the High Commission today.
