Out of 72 provisions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord, 65 have been fully implemented, while three are partially implemented and four are currently under implementation, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has been told.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, presented Bangladesh’s activities at the 25th session of the forum at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
In his speech, Rahman said the Constitution of Bangladesh ensures equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, gender or place of birth.
He noted that work on implementing the accord’s provisions is progressing uninterrupted through an inclusive and participatory process.
The CHT secretary highlighted various government initiatives for overall development, including ensuring security, protecting environmental balance, and land survey and management to resolve land disputes.
He informed that the government has recently appointed a Special Assistant with the status of a state minister to ensure representation of various ethnic groups and an inclusive governance system.
Rahman said the government is working to reduce poverty and inequality through an expanded social safety net, rural infrastructure development, digital connectivity and livelihood diversification.
Regarding healthcare and education, he mentioned special scholarships, multilingual education, e-learning systems, district and upazila hospitals, and mobile medical teams being strengthened in the hill region.
He also noted that the government has adopted a massive plan to plant 20 lakh trees in the three CHT districts to combat climate change.
The two-week 25th session is being held at the UN Headquarters from 20 April to 1 May. The Bangladesh delegation includes Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board Major General (retd) Anup Kumar Chakma, as well as representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various ethnic groups.
