Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Song Yang on Tuesday said China will continue to support Bangladesh’s economic and social development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods through concrete actions.
Speaking at a launching ceremony, he laid emphasis on working together with UNDP and other partners to build a fairer and more inclusive world; a world where poverty becomes a thing of the past.
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The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) launched the Livelihoods Support for Urban Poor Communities in Bangladesh (LSUPCB) project in Dhaka.
The initiative, funded through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) under CIDCA’s leadership, aims to strengthen urban livelihoods through skills development, nutrition support, and small-scale critical infrastructure, empowering marginalised households across Dhaka North, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Chandpur, in line with national strategies for inclusive urban development, UNDP said.
Secretary, Local Government Division Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedi called the launch timely, noting that Bangladesh contributes less than 0.35% of global emissions yet ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries.
He said the project is a crucial step to strengthen the livelihoods of our urban poor, uphold their dignity, and build resilience against climate change.
Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller emphasised the project’s transformative potential.
“For over two decades, UNDP has supported large-scale urban resilience and livelihoods programmes tailored to the needs of vulnerable urban communities. Building on these successes, today marks a new chapter. With the support of CIDCA, this programme strengthens South-South cooperation and reinforces shared priorities under the 2030 Agenda,” he said.
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Earlier, Anowarul Haq, assistant resident representative, UNDP Bangladesh, gave an overview of the project’s objectives, followed by a keynote presentation of the project framework and strategies by Yugesh Pradhanang, Project Manager, UNDP.
The session highlighted plans for skills training, nutritional support, and inclusive livelihood opportunities to address challenges faced by urban poor communities, particularly women and children.
This new project will contribute to UNDP’s broader urban portfolio and directly benefit 100,000 low-income community members through targeted support.
It will also strengthen institutional capacity for more inclusive and sustainable city governance, helping to ensure that no one is left behind in Bangladesh’s urban transition.