UNOPS pushes for sustainable development in Bangladesh
A dialogue under the banner "SDG Café" focused specifically on advancing SDG 11 implementation in the country
In a significant move to address Bangladesh's rapid and often unplanned urbanisation, UNOPS Bangladesh hosted its 15th SDG Café, gathering a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the path to sustainable and inclusive cities.
The dialogue series, titled "Resilient Future through Sustainable Urban Development in Bangladesh," focused specifically on advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), according to a press release issued today (30 July).
Bangladesh, one of the fastest-urbanising nations in South Asia, faces a critical juncture.
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The country's cities are grappling with the convergence of climate-induced risks such as flooding, cyclones, and heatwaves, and the challenges of inadequate infrastructure, unchecked growth, and rising socio-economic disparities.
This complex mix, experts say, demands bold policy reforms, innovative urban planning, and robust institutional cooperation to build cities that are resilient and future-ready, the release added.
Dr Adil Mohammed Khan, a professor of urban and regional planning at Jahangirnagar University and president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, delivered the keynote address.
He highlighted the "structural hurdles" in existing urban systems and stressed the urgent need for integrated planning, participatory governance, and the development of climate-adaptive infrastructure to secure a sustainable urban future.
The SDG Café fostered an interactive and dynamic discussion on key issues, including affordable housing, slum upgrading, green spaces, sustainable transport, and innovative financing mechanisms.
By bringing together policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, and international partners, the event aimed to generate actionable solutions and a shared vision for urban development, reads the media release.
In his opening remarks, Sudhir Muralidharan, country manager of UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan, emphasised the practical urgency of the issue.
"Urban resilience is not an abstract goal—it is a daily imperative for millions of Bangladeshis," he said.
"At UNOPS, we believe partnerships, local leadership, and scalable innovation are key to reimagining our cities for the future. Today's dialogue reaffirms our collective resolve to make SDG 11 a reality."
The session concluded with a forward-looking discussion on how multi-stakeholder engagement can shape national and local urban strategies.
Participants committed to accelerating the implementation of SDG 11 through continued knowledge exchange and partnership building, with a focus on creating context-specific policy recommendations.
