Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the government is working to strengthen democratic institutions, revive the economy and improve the people’s living standards.

“The incumbent government is making efforts to build Bangladesh into a democratic, inclusive and exploitation-free state,” the LGRD minister said while addressing the Bengal Delta Conference 2026 at a city hotel.

The conference, organised by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), was held under the theme: ‘Bangladesh and a Changing World: Uncharted Times, Emerging Orders, and the Politics of Care’.

Speaking at the conference, Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh is currently at an important juncture, as the student-people’s movement, the aspiration to restore democracy, and the expectation of political change have created new possibilities for the country.

Paying tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War, he said Bangladesh achieved independence through their sacrifices.

He also paid homage to the students and people who laid down their lives during the 2024 movement to restore democracy in the country.

The minister said he is not a professional analyst but a grassroots political activist.

“Through my long political career, I have gained an understanding of the country’s politics and the people’s aspirations,” he said, referring to his participation in various movements against dictatorship.

Presenting the country’s current economic situation, Mirza Fakhrul said the impact of global conflicts and economic instability has also affected Bangladesh.

International crises, including tensions between Iran and the United States and the Russia-Ukraine war, have created major challenges for developing countries, he said, adding that Bangladesh’s economy is under pressure due to long-standing corruption, money laundering and financial irregularities.

However, he expressed optimism that Bangladesh would recover by harnessing the strength of its people and emerging opportunities.

Referring to the government’s various initiatives, the minister said it is working to restructure the economy, increase investment, generate employment and strengthen the banking sector.

He said several development programmes have been undertaken to boost the rural economy.

Mirza Fakhrul said the government is giving special importance to industrial development, agricultural advancement and the growth of the creative economy.

He also said the recent budget includes a number of measures to promote investment and industrialisation.

On democratic reforms, the minister said initiatives have been taken to build a consensus on constitutional reforms through consultations with political parties.

He stressed the need to build strong institutions to make democracy sustainable.

Highlighting the importance of regional cooperation, Mirza Fakhrul said the engagement of international partners in Bangladesh’s economic development should be strengthened.

He expressed hope that the country’s people would build a new Bangladesh through their courage, unity and resilience, where everyone would have the opportunity to lead a better, safer and more dignified life.

Local and foreign researchers, policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders and civil society representatives attended the conference.