Formulating Teesta Master Plan, this step will help the agricultural sector and increase climate resilience: PM Tarique Rahman

DHAKA, Oct 3, 2026: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said the new government, having received a strong mandate from the people, was moving ahead with a clear action plan to fulfil its commitments over the next five years.

“Our priorities are to protect national interests, maintain policy continuity, ensure economic stability and carry out institutional reforms. We are now moving directly from commitments to implementation,” he said.

The prime minister was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day international conference Bay of Bengal Conversation (BOBC) 2026, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme “Fragments, Frontiers and Futures: Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a World Rewritten.”

Around 200 speakers, more than 300 delegates and over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries are taking part in the conference, which runs from October 3 to 5. Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and former Malian Prime Minister [the original text is incomplete here] are among the international participants.

Healthcare and education

Highlighting the government’s pledge to take healthcare to people’s doorsteps, Tarique Rahman said the government was working to recruit 100,000 health workers, around 80 percent of whom would be women.

They would provide primary healthcare, health advice and referral services at the grassroots level, he said, adding that special attention would be given to maternal and child health.

On education, the prime minister said schooling should go beyond obtaining certificates and instead prepare students for real life.

“We are working to ensure a joyful learning environment,” he said.

He said culture, sports, values and ethics would receive greater emphasis in the curriculum to help develop students’ character. Students would also have opportunities to learn a third language, while technical and vocational education would be expanded alongside general education.

The government has taken initiatives to provide free uniforms, schoolbags, midday meals and stipends from the first grade, he said. It is also working to expand free education for girls up to the graduate level.

Focus on youth, jobs and technology

Describing the country’s large young population as a key driver of national progress, Tarique said skills development and suitable employment opportunities were essential to harnessing the demographic advantage.

The government is focusing on improving language skills, creating employment opportunities, promoting technological transformation and expanding the use of artificial intelligence, he said.

“We are supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups. We want our young people to compete on the global stage and transform brain drain into brain circulation,” he said.

Agriculture and rural economy

Describing agriculture as a mainstay of the economy, the prime minister said the government was working to improve farmers’ access to technology, irrigation, agricultural finance and markets.

Support would also be provided to fisheries, livestock and rural entrepreneurs, while agricultural processing and agro-product export industries would be developed alongside efforts to ensure food security.

“A strong rural economy can build a strong Bangladesh,” he said.

Water security and climate resilience

Tarique Rahman highlighted water security as another major government priority, saying plans were underway to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals and waterways over the next five years.

The Padma Barrage project is being advanced, while a master plan for the Teesta is being prepared for water conservation and management, he said.

According to the prime minister, these initiatives would support agriculture while strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change.

On environmental protection, he said 250 million trees would be planted over the next five years.

Bangladesh is also expanding solar power, promoting waste recycling and supporting the development of environment-friendly green factories, he said.

“Of the world’s top 100 LEED-certified factories, 53 are now in Bangladesh,” Tarique said.

He added that developing clean and environmentally friendly cities could reduce waste, strengthen climate resilience and contribute to economic growth.

Institutional reform and rule of law

Stressing the importance of institutional reform, the prime minister said strong state institutions were essential for sustainable development.

“We are strengthening institutional transparency and accountability. Human rights, democratic values and freedom of expression must be protected,” he said.

Emphasising equal application of the rule of law, Tarique said the government would work to develop an institutional culture in which state institutions genuinely remained dedicated to serving the people.

Rohingya crisis

On the Rohingya crisis, the prime minister said Bangladesh was still hosting around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees.

“Our main objective is to ensure their swift, voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar,” he said.

He called for continued political support and international financing to address the crisis, while stressing the need to tackle its root causes.

“The crisis originated in Myanmar and its solution must also be found in Myanmar,” he said.

Bay of Bengal as an economic gateway

Referring to the Bay of Bengal as one of the major pillars of Bangladesh’s future economic potential, Tarique said the bay had shaped the country’s destiny for generations.

Given Bangladesh’s geographic and strategic location, he said the country had significant opportunities to deepen its global connectivity through seaports, waterways and the coastal economy.

“There is immense potential in shipping, fisheries, tourism, energy and regional supply chains,” he said.

The prime minister called for deeper bilateral and multilateral engagement to transform the region’s shared geography into shared prosperity.

“Cooperation can be further expanded in trade, energy, education, technology, climate and maritime sectors. New markets can be opened and more opportunities can be created for young people. We can build stronger cooperative relations based on equality, fairness and justice,” he said.

Tarique said Bangladesh believed in dialogue, partnership and mutual respect and would continue to work positively with regional and global partners while safeguarding its national interests and sovereignty.

“Because peace and harmony are the foundations of shared prosperity and development,” he said.

He called for transforming the Bay of Bengal region into an area where every state could prosper together, benefit equally and extend meaningful cooperation to its citizens.

“Bangladesh is fully prepared to play its rightful role in this regard,” he said.

The five thematic pillars of this year’s BOBC are geopolitics, security and strategic competition; artificial intelligence, cyberspace and information power; trade, connectivity and strategic growth; and climate, resilience and human security, according to a BSS report.

Rita Bhowmick