World Habitat Day today

The World Habitat Day-2019 is being observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world in a bid to raise awareness among the people for safe shelter including ensuring residence for all.

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.

The theme of the year is ‘Frontier Technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth.’

On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.

In his message, President Abdul Hamid said “It is indispensable to use creative technology along with proper utilization of the resources to fulfill the demand of increasing urbanization in the developing countries by keeping pace with the global urbanization.”

In light of vision 2041, he said the government has taken various steps for building sustainable and environment friendly urbanization. “It is possible to ensure sustainable development in Bangladesh like other countries across the world to transform the waste into resource by using modern technology,” said the president.

The Prime Minister, in her message, said the government is giving importance to modern waste management system along particular emphasis on environment protection for all kinds of activities including urbanization and setting up industries and factories.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works should play a pivotal role in the management of waste being created due to urbanization and housing, she said.

Elaborate progreammes have been taken to observe the day. President M Abdul Hamid is expected to attend the inaugural function of the World Habitat Day as the chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Center at Sher-e Bangla Nagar in the capital at 4pm today.

A colourful rally was brought out from in front of Dhaka Club at Shahbagh at 7.30am and it marched up to the Department of Public Works at Shegunbagicha in the similar day. Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim lead the rally.

The ministry arranged publishing special supplementary in different national dailies on the occasion. The ministry also will publish a special ‘souvenir’.

Special seminar and rallies also will be held in Dhaka and different divisional districts and cities outside the capital on the same day.

A three-day housing fair under the supervision of Housing and Building Research Institute will be held on the premises of Bangabandhu International Center marking the day. President M Abdul Hamid will open the fair.