Youth Leadership to Play a Key Role in Shaping Bangladesh’s Future: Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal today said the country's youth would play a leading role in building a better Bangladesh in the years ahead.

"We want to build a Bangladesh where the rule of law, transparency and accountability prevail, and people's fundamental human rights are protected," he said while addressing the Bangladesh Youth Model United Nations (BYMUN) 2026 conference as the chief guest at the LD Hall of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad.

Organised by Future Bangladesh, the two-day conference began today.

Kayser Kamal urged young people to look beyond achieving GPA-5 results and channel their talents, creativity and innovative thinking towards positive and inclusive initiatives to build the Bangladesh they envision.

He stressed the need for a generation of educated citizens committed to human values and democratic principles.

Highlighting the role of young people in Bangladesh's history, the Deputy Speaker said they had been at the forefront of several major movements. Referring to the final fact-finding report published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), he noted that many of those killed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising were young people.

He added that the youth had repeatedly participated in movements to uphold social dignity and secure equal opportunities for all.

Bangladesh had fallen behind in several indicators since 2006, he said, stressing the need for renewed efforts to restore the country's progress.

Expressing optimism about the future, Kayser Kamal said he hoped young people would work collectively to transform Bangladesh into a world-class nation, according to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat.

He also encouraged students pursuing higher education abroad to return home and take an active role in shaping the country's future.

The Deputy Speaker urged young people to speak out against corruption and attend parliamentary sessions to observe how lawmakers debate issues and make decisions.

Emphasising the value of constructive disagreement, he said people could hold different opinions, but decision-makers should make an effort to understand the reasoning behind opposing viewpoints.

"Effective leadership means creating space for others, strengthening mutual trust and enabling meaningful cooperation," he said.

Around 500 young delegates from more than 200 schools, colleges and universities across all 64 districts are taking part in the conference.

Among others, Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office Professor Dr SM Abdul-Awal, and BRAC University Registrar Dr David Doland also addressed the session.