The Conference was honored by the presence of Professor Dr. Salimullah Khan as Chief Guest and Dr. Zahirul Islam, Health Advisor, Development Cooperation Section (Embassy of Sweden), as Guest of Honour. We were privileged to host insightful keynote sessions from Dr. Md. Manjur Hossain, Assistant Director (MCH–Service Unit), DGFP, on Climate Change and SRHR, and S. M. Saikat, Executive Director, SEERAC-Bangladesh, on Listening to Youth Voices in Health and SRHR Reform.
The rich plenary discussions were strengthened by distinguished panelists including Dr. Zahirul Islam (Assistant Professor, North South University), Samia Afrin (Project Director, Women’s Health and Rights, Naripokkho), Md. Masum Ahmed (Deputy Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports), Aruba Faruque (Deputy Executive Coordinator, YouthNet Global), Sohanur Rahman (Executive Coordinator, YouthNet Global), Prof. Dr. Iqbal Kabir (Director, CCHPU Unit, MoHFW), Dr. Muhammad Mofajjal Hossain (Assistant Director, MCH, DGFP), Dr. Shaila Sharmin Mimi (Assistant Director, QA, DGFP), Dr. Abu Sayed Hasan (SRHR Specialist, UNFPA), Sayed Rubayet (Country Director, IPAS), and Dr. Asif Iqbal (Assistant Director, School Health, DGHS).
We sincerely acknowledge Md. Taufiq Ul Karim Chowdhury (RHSTEP) and Dr. Elvina Mustary (RHSTEP) for their thoughtful moderation, and Md. Abu Raihan, Project Manager, UYP, for his leadership and welcome address. The cultural performances by UYP youth added powerful expression to the day’s dialogue.
This Conference reaffirmed a shared commitment: youth must be recognized not merely as beneficiaries, but as partners and leaders in advancing health reform in Bangladesh. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all speakers, partners, and young organizers whose dedication made this platform impactful.
Together, we continue to strengthen youth-led engagement and move toward a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient health system shaped with young people, not only for them.