National conference sets roadmap for social protection beyond 2026

The three-day National Conference on Social Protection 2025 concluded on Wednesday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, outlining Bangladesh's roadmap for a next-generation social protection framework beyond 2026.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sharmeen S Murshid, adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, called for a rights-based approach. "Social safety nets are not charity; they are justice achieved against hunger and despair. Let us build a new social contract where protection and empowerment walk hand in hand," she said.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who chaired the closing session, reaffirmed government commitment, stressing that growth without justice was unsustainable.

Development partners also reiterated support. UNDP Bangladesh Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne said the conference's insights would help shape the country's post-2026 social protection priorities, noting their alignment with UNDP's Social Protection Offer 2.0.

Senior government officials, development partners, academics, civil society leaders, and grassroots representatives participated in the three-day dialogue, organised by the Cabinet Division with technical support from the UNDP's Social Security Policy Support Programme and funding from the Government of Australia through DFAT.

The conference explored gender in social protection and NGO perspectives on reform, emphasising disability inclusion and community-level lessons.

The final declaration, presented by Cabinet Division Additional Secretary Mohammad Khaled Hasan, outlined key recommendations: (1) establishing sustainable contributory social protection models; (2) expanding coverage to include both the poor and the 'missing middle'; (3) introducing stronger resilience measures; (4) ensuring support throughout individuals' lifecycles; (5) enhancing governance; and (6) preparing a new National Social Protection Strategy.