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The 10th Bangladesh National Youth Conference on Family Planning was held on Thursday at Krishibid Institute Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka.
Over 500 youths, policymakers, health experts, and stakeholders from across the country joined the event with the theme “Advocate, Accelerate, Amplify – Together We Transform the Future.”
The primary objectives of the conference were to strengthen family planning initiatives, accelerate adolescent health development, ensure gender equality, and integrate climate action into health and development policies, says a media release.
Dr Ashrafi Ahmad, NDC, director general (Grade-1), Directorate General of Family Planning, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was present at the opening ceremony of the function as the chief guest.
S M Shaikat, executive director of SERAC Bangladesh and also the secretary general of the conference, inaugurated the event.
Professor Dr Nawzia Yasmin, pro-vice chancellor of the State University of Bangladesh, presided over the session.
Felix Helgesson, second secretary/health advisor, Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, and Dr Vibhavendra Singh Raghubanshi, chief of Health, UNFPA Bangladesh, were present at the event as special guests.
Dr Kamrun Nahar, professor at James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, delivered the keynote presentation.
In his welcome address, S M Shaikat emphasised that youth are the centrepiece and driving force of the global development agenda. Their active participation and leadership form the foundation of an integrated, rights-based health system.
Dr Ashrafi Ahmad highlighted that sexual and reproductive health, family planning, climate change, and youth engagement are deeply linked to the country’s sustainable development. With one-third of the population being youth, effectively engaging and empowering them will accelerate national development.
During sessions, discussions focused on adolescent and youth health services and access to reproductive health, nutrition, prevention of child marriage, youth leadership, and evidence-based policy formulation. Experts emphasised health awareness, data-driven decision-making, and integrated service delivery.
The closing ceremony featured Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, director general of the Department of Social Services, was the chief guest. Special guests included Dr Zobaed Hossain, joint secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Edward Cabrera, First Secretary, Canadian High Commission, and youth representative Munia Akter, with Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, Chairperson of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, presiding.
Md. Saidur Rahman Khan stressed the need to create “corridors” for youth participation in decision-making across all sectors, noting that active youth involvement in social initiatives contributes significantly to national development.
The conference concluded with an awards ceremony. Notable awardees included Aniva Akter for the Adolescent Change Maker Award, Md. Nazmul Hasan for the Youth Excellence Award, Dr Halida Hanum Akhtar for the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Marie Stopes Bangladesh for the Exemplary Partnership Award. Organised by SERAC-Bangladesh, the conference was supported by Sida, BYHAN, CYOB, Marie Stopes Bangladesh, Plan International, Share-Net Bangladesh, SMC, UNFPA, and other national and international partners. Through active youth participation and leadership, the event established itself as a strong platform for advancing inclusive, effective, and sustainable health and family planning initiatives in the country.