TDS Desk:

Md. Abdul Khaleque, secretary to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, reaffirmed Bangladesh government’s unwavering commitment to uphold the constitutional guarantee in promoting and protecting the rights of all citizens and to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.

He said this at the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), being convened on 21 April-2 May 2025 in New York recently.

In his statement, Khaleque informed the Forum about the implementation progress of the CHT Peace Accord.

He also highlighted the land management system prevailing in the CHT region, which runs in accordance with mainly 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 promote advancement in education, healthcare, livelihoods, sports and etc. Bangladesh’s constitutional commitment to protect and promote the unique local culture, heritage and traditions of the ethnic sects and communities has also been 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 their meaningful participation in relevant multilateral and regional system on issues affecting them; however, the importance of respecting the established UN practices and procedures was also underscored by the Bangladesh delegation.

The Bangladesh delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Land, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from ethnic communities from both the CHT region and plain land.