Dhaka Showcases Vision for Sustainable Urban Development at 81st ESCAP Session

The 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) kicked off today at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, centered on the theme “Regional Cooperation for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific.”

Bringing together 53 member states and 9 associate members, the session serves as a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration on pressing urban development challenges across the region.

Representing Bangladesh, Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant (with the rank of State Minister) to the Honorable Chief Adviser, is leading the national delegation. During the opening session, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a video address to the gathering.

In his message, Professor Yunus reaffirmed Bangladesh’s dedication to fostering inclusive, climate-resilient urban growth. He underscored the country’s reform-driven development agenda, anchored in its “Three Zero Vision”: zero wealth concentration, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions.

Emphasizing the need for stronger regional collaboration to address urban and climate-related challenges, Professor Yunus called on member states to unlock the potential of youth and innovation in shaping a sustainable future.

For Bangladesh, the ESCAP session offers a valuable opportunity to share its development experiences, build strategic partnerships, and reinforce its commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive, forward-looking urban solutions.

The delegation is set to actively engage throughout the week-long event, contributing key insights and fostering regional cooperation.