Bangladesh’s Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the government remains focused on strengthening democratic institutions, reviving the economy and delivering the commitments set out in the July National Charter.
Addressing the opening session of the two-day Bengal Delta Conference 2026 in Dhaka on Friday, the minister said, “Bangladesh was navigating a challenging period shaped by domestic economic pressures and an increasingly uncertain global environment.”
He also said, "Democratic values must be protected and practised, especially as many countries face growing political challenges."
According to Fakhrul, Bangladesh’s long-term progress depends on building democratic institutions while promoting an inclusive, tolerant and humane society.
During his speech, the minister paid tribute to those who died during the 1971 Liberation War as well as people who lost their lives in the 2024 student-led mass uprising.
He mentioned that their sacrifices had laid the foundations for a more democratic and inclusive Bangladesh.
Fakhrul also acknowledged the role of young protesters in recent political developments, saying their movement had contributed to ending authoritarian rule and reopening the path to democratic governance.
Describing himself as a lifelong political activist rather than an academic, he stated, "Decades of involvement in movements against dictatorship had reinforced his belief that democratic institutions remain essential for national stability and development.”
The minister said, "The government had inherited a difficult economic situation marked by weak investment, unemployment and challenges within the banking sector.”
He added that international developments, including the war in Ukraine and continuing tensions in the Middle East, had further complicated Bangladesh’s economic outlook.
Despite these pressures, Fakhrul said, "The administration was working to restore stability while implementing reforms agreed by political parties through the July National Charter.”
He described the charter as a framework intended to support constitutional reform and create a more predictable political environment.
He also reiterated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remained committed to implementing the charter alongside the promises outlined in the government’s election manifesto.
Highlighting the administration’s policy priorities, Fakhrul pointed to programmes such as the Family Card and Farmers’ Card, expanded social safety schemes, assistance for religious leaders, canal restoration projects and incentives aimed at boosting agricultural production.
He said again that these measures were beginning to contribute to broader economic improvement.
The minister added that the latest national budget included reductions in selected taxes and tariffs to encourage industrial activity while placing greater emphasis on agriculture and the creative economy.
“The government also wanted to ensure that ethnic communities and local innovators played a stronger role in national economic development,” Fakhrul continued.
On political reform, Fakhrul said a parliamentary committee had already begun work on proposed constitutional amendments designed to strengthen democratic governance.
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to greater inclusion, noting that representatives from ethnic communities, including the Santal, Marma and Chakma peoples, had been nominated to Parliament.
Looking beyond Bangladesh, the minister said, "The government was seeking stronger regional and international economic partnerships to support future growth and attract additional foreign participation in development projects.”
Expressing confidence in the country’s future, Fakhrul said, “Bangladesh’s people have repeatedly demonstrated resilience and will continue working towards a society free from exploitation, with greater opportunities and improved living standards.”
The Bengal Delta Conference 2026, organised by the Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), is being held under the theme “Bangladesh and a Changing World: Uncharted Times, Emerging Orders, and the Politics of Care.”
The event has brought together academics, policymakers, diplomats, civil society representatives and young researchers to examine issues including governance, economic policy, regional affairs and Bangladesh’s place in a changing global landscape. The conference concludes on Saturday.
