World Habitat Day will be observed in Bangladesh, as elsewhere around the world, on Monday under the theme ‘Adequate Housing for All’.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has undertaken various programmes to mark the day.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend a discussion meeting as the chief guest at the Hall of Fame of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka at 10am on Monday.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Zakaria Taher will preside over the meeting, which will also be attended by Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintu, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Manzur, and UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak as special guests.

A three-day housing fair has also been organised at the lobby of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark the occasion.

The fair, beginning on October 5, will feature 157 stalls representing REHAB, the construction sector, banking services, RAJUK, the Department of Architecture, the Public Works Department, urban planning bodies, and various departments and agencies under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the fair following the discussion meeting.

A seminar on World Habitat Day will also be held at the Hall of Fame of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at 2:30pm.

Presentations at the seminar will cover issues including low-income housing, housing models and adequate housing in Bangladesh, inclusive and affordable housing, and climate-resilient housing.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology will present a paper titled “On-Site Upgradation of Low-Income Housing: Evidence from Two Case Study Areas of Dhaka”, while the Housing and Building Research Institute will present “HBRI Housing Model: Advancing Adequate Housing for All in Bangladesh”.

The Bangladesh Institute will present “Adequate Housing for All: Rethinking Modes of Housing Provision in a Changing World”, and Habitat for Humanity will present “Housing for All in Bangladesh: Building an Inclusive, Affordable, and Climate-Resilient Housing System”.

A colourful rally will also be held to mark the day. It will begin at 4pm from Zia Udyan (Crescent Lake Glass Bridge) and end at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

A commemorative publication has been released as part of the observance. Special talk shows are also being aired on television and radio, while banners, posters and festoons have been displayed at key locations.

The day will be observed across all divisions and districts of the country.

World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October every year.

The United Nations designated the day in 1985 to raise global awareness about safe cities and adequate housing. It has been observed worldwide since 1986.