Bangladesh calling for children's rights in urban planning at WUF13

At the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Bangladesh called for urban planning solutions that take into account the rights of lost and vulnerable children, Vijay Chaudhary, a representative of Bangladesh, said at the opening of the WUF13 Children and Youth Assembly.

According to Report, he emphasized that a safe home for a child is not just a place to live, but the foundation for health, education, and a dignified life.

"Without a safe and livable home, a child cannot stay healthy. Without a roof over their head, they cannot access basic rights such as clean water, hygiene, and sanitation," he noted.

Chaudhary emphasized that children from climate-vulnerable communities face the consequences of climate change every day. "When floods strike and life becomes unbearable, children are the first to lose their rights and opportunities to learn," Chaudhary stated.

The Bangladeshi representative emphasized that children and youth must be full participants in decision-making in urban development.

"We don't want to be invited to meetings just for the sake of formal participation. We want our opinions to be taken seriously when developing cities, systems, and policies," he emphasized.

According to him, Assembly participants expect WUF13 to be a starting point for real action by children and young people.

He also emphasized the importance of international cooperation to support youth initiatives, especially in developing countries.

"Whether from Bangladesh or anywhere else in the world, we deserve cities that don't just house us, but support us," the Bangladeshi representative added.