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Md. Abdul Khaleque, Secretary to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, reaffirmed the Bangladesh government's unwavering commitment to upholding the constitutional guarantee in promoting and protecting the rights of all citizens and to fully implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
He made these remarks at the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), being convened from 21 April to 2 May 2025 in New York, UNB reports.
In his statement, Khaleque informed the Forum about the progress in the implementation of the CHT Peace Accord.
He also highlighted the land management system prevailing in the CHT region, which operates mainly in accordance with the provisions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation, 1900.
The Secretary emphasised the government’s continued financial support and allocation in the CHT region to ensure infrastructural development and to promote advancement in education, healthcare, livelihoods, sports, etc. Bangladesh’s constitutional commitment to protect and promote the unique local culture, heritage, and traditions of the ethnic sects and communities was also reiterated in Bangladesh’s statement.
Participating in the thematic dialogue on the ‘Financing of Indigenous Peoples' Work and Participation Across the Multilateral and Regional System,’ the Bangladesh delegation acknowledged the importance of the meaningful participation of indigenous peoples in relevant multilateral and regional systems on issues affecting them. However, the importance of respecting established UN practices and procedures was also underscored by the Bangladesh delegation.
The Bangladesh delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Land, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ethnic communities from both the CHT region and the plain land.