The National Conference on Social Protection 2025, to be held from 1–3 September 2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, will provide a high-level platform to revisit and shape the future of Bangladesh’s social protection system as the National Social Security Strategy (2015–2026) nears its conclusion. Guided by the theme “A Journey Towards an Equitable Society”, the conference will unite government, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to assess progress, share innovations, and chart a path toward a more inclusive, shock-responsive, and sustainable framework. Through multi-stakeholder dialogues, it will generate actionable recommendations for the post-2026 strategy, reinforcing Bangladesh’s commitment to poverty reduction, gender equality, and climate resilience.
Day 1, September 01, 2025
Inaugural Session
11:00 - 13:00, Hall of Fame
Chief Guest
- • Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Hon’ble Adviser, Ministry of Planning
Special Guest
- • Mr. Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, Hon’ble Adviser, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and Ministry of Liberation War Affairs
Guests of Honour
- • Dr. Md. Mokhles ur Rahman, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration
- • Dr. Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission
- • H.E. Mr. Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh
- • Mr. Clinton Pobke, Deputy High Commissioner, Australian Government
- • Mr. Stefan Liller, Resident Representative, UNDP
Session – 1: Institutional Perspectives: Social Protection Progress and Future Priorities
14:00 - 15:30, Hall of Fame
Chair
- • Ms. Zaheda Parveen, Secretary, Coordination and Reforms, Cabinet Division
Moderator
- • Mr. Mohammad Khaled Hasan, Additional Secretary, Coordination Wing, Cabinet Division
Thematic Clusters
- • Social Allowance
- • Labour and Livelihood Intervention
- • Food Security and Disaster Assistance
- • Social Insurance
- • Social Empowerment and Human Development
Discussants
- 14:00 – 15:30
- - Cabinet Division
- - Ministry of Social Welfare
- - Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
- - Ministry of Food
- - Ministry of Finance
- - Ministry of Labour and Employment
- - Ministry of Primary and Mass Education
- 15:00 – 15:20
- Open Discussion
- 15:20 – 15:30
- Remarks from the Chair
Session – 2: Strengthening Governance of Social Protection
15:30 - 17:10 Carnival Hall
Chair
- Dr. Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission
Discussants
- • Mr. Owais Parray, Country Economic Advisor, UNDP
- • Professor Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
- • Mr. Asif Kashem, Senior Program Manager, Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission
- • Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Research Director, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
- • Dr. Imran Matin, Executive Director, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University
Moderator
- Moderator: Mr. Tanvir Mahmud, Senior Governance Specialist, UNDP
Presentations
Day 2, September 02, 2025
Session – 3: Expanding Horizon of Social Protection
9:30 - 11:00 Carnival Hall
- Chair: Dr. Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission
- Discussant 1: Mr. Owais Parray, Country Economic Advisor, UNDP
- Discussant 2: Professor Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
- Discussant 3: Mr. Asif Kashem, Senior Program Manager, Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission
- Discussant 4: Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Research Director, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
- Discussant 5: Dr. Imran Matin, Executive Director, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University
- Moderator: Mr. Tanvir Mahmud, Senior Governance Specialist, UNDP
- 09:30 – 09:50 - Paper 5: Barriers to Accessing Social Protection
- Presenter: Dr. Abdur Razzaque, Chairman, RAPID, and Director, PRI
- 09:50 – 10:10 - Paper 6: Re-strategizing Bangladesh’s Social Protection
- Presenter: Dr. Abdur Razzaque, Chairman, RAPID, and Director, PRI
- 10:10 - 10:30 Open Discussion
- 10:30 – 10:50 Discussant’s Remarks
- 10:50 – 11:00 Remarks from the Chair
Session - 4: Urban Poverty and Inclusive Social Protection Strategies
11:15 - 13:00 Carnival Hall
- Chair: Mr. Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Secretary, Local Government Division
- Discussant 1: Mr. ABM Feroz Ahmed, Livelihoods Adviser, FCDO, British High Commission, Dhaka
- Discussant 2: Mr. Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP
- Discussant 3: Professor Sharmind Neelormi, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University
- Discussant 4: Mr. Aminul Arifeen, Programme Manager, SSPS Programme, UNDP
- Moderator: Mr. Sarder M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP
- 11:15 - 11:35 Paper 7: Understanding Urban Poverty and Strengthening Social Protection for Urban Poor and Vulnerable Population
- Presenter: Dr. M A Razzaque, Chairman, RAPID and Director, PRI
- 11:35 – 11:55 Paper 8: Urban Poverty and the Social Security Needs of the Urban Poor and Urban Social Protection Strategy for Bangladesh
- Presenter: Mr. Mohammad Khaled Hasan, Additional Secretary, Coordination Wing, Cabinet Division
- 11:55 – 12:35 Open Discussion
- 12:35 - 12:50 Discussant’s Remarks
- 12:50 - 13:00 Closing Remarks from Session Chair
- 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch and Prayer Break
Session - 5: Adaptive Social Protection and Mitigation: Bangladesh Perspective
14:00 - 15:30 Carnival Hall
- Chair: Ms. Zaheda Parveen, Secretary, Coordination & Reforms, Cabinet Division
- Discussant 1: Mr. Mohd. Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs
- Discussant 2: Ms. Murshida Sharmin, Joint Secretary, Coordination Wing, Cabinet Division
- Discussant 3: Professor Dr. M. Rezaul Islam, Department of Social Work, University of Dhaka
- Discussant 4: Mr. Siddiqul Islam Khan, Lead of Resilience and Innovation at WFP Bangladesh Country Office
- Moderator: Ms. Maliha Muzammil, Programme Specialist, Climate Change, UNDP
- 14:00 – 14:20 Paper 9: Towards A Shock-responsive Social Protection System in Bangladesh
- Presenter: Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Director (Research), BIISS.
- 14:20 – 14:40 Paper 10: Strategic Guidelines and Action Plans for Adaptive Social Protection in Bangladesh
- Presenter: Mr. Mohammad Khaled Hasan, Additional Secretary, Coordination Wing, Cabinet Division
- 14:40 – 15:10 Open Discussion
- 15:10 - 15:20 Discussants’ Remarks
- 15:20 – 15:30 Closing Remarks from Session Chair
Session - 6: Towards Sustainable Social Protection
15:30 - 17:30 Carnival Hall
- Chair: Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Discussant 1: Mr. Saad Gilani, Technical Adviser, ILO, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Discussant 2: Dr. Silvia Popp, Project Manager, Employment Injury Protection Scheme, GIZ
- Discussant 3: Labor Union Representative (comrade Ratan)
- Moderator: Mr. Aminul Arifeen, Programme Manager, SSPS Programme, UNDP
- 15:30 - 15:45 Paper 11: Reviewing the National Social Insurance Scheme (NSIS) Framework: Towards Feasible Models for Bangladesh
- Presenter: Dr. M A Razzaque, Chairman, RAPID
- 15:45 - 16:00 Paper 12: Employment Injury Scheme: Evidence from Pilot
- Presenter: Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director, CPD
- 16:00 - 16:15 Paper 13: Maternity Protection and Childcare System in Bangladesh
- Presenter: Ms. Taslima Yeasmin, Associate Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
- 16:15 - 16:30 Paper 14: Review of Migrant Workers’ Access to Existing Social Protection Initiatives and Recommendations for Improvement
- Presenter: Ms. Rahnuma Salam Khan, National Programme Manager, ILO-Dhaka
- 16:30 - 16:40 Paper 15: Towards an Unemployment Insurance Scheme in Bangladesh: A Roadmap
- Presenter: Farjana Reza, National Programme Officer, Social Protection, ILO CO-Dhaka
- 16:40 – 17:00 Open Discussion
- 17:00 – 17:15 Discussants’ Remarks
- 17:15 - 17:30 Closing Remarks from Session Chair
Day 3, September 03, 2025
Parallel Session - 1: Gender in Social Protection
9:30 - 11:00, Carnival Hall
- Chair: Ms. Mamtaz Ahmed, NDC, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
- Discussant 1: Dr. Md. Monirul Islam, Joint Secretary, National Project Director, SWAPNO, Local Government Division
- Discussant 2: Mr. Ikramul H. Sohel, Senior Programme Officer (Inclusive Economic Development) Sida, Sweden
- Discussant 3: Mr. Asif Kashem, Senior Program Manager, Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission
- Discussant 4: Ms. Maheen Sutan, Senior Fellow, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University
- Moderator: Ms. Sharmin Islam, Gender Analyst, UNDP
- 09:30 - 09:40 Paper 16: Gender-responsive Social Protection: Diagnostics, Strategy, and Plan
- Presenter: Ms. Ferdousi Sultana Begum, Gender Specialist
- 09:40 - 10:00 Paper 17: SWAPNO Women: Gender Equality Framework Analysis
- Presenter: Ms. Arju Afrin Kathy, Research Officer, Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme, UNDP
- 10:00 – 10:20 Paper 18: ICVGD – Building Women Empowerment and Resilience
- Presenter: Mr. Md. Firoz Uddin Khalifa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
- 10:20 - 10:35 Open Discussion
- 10:35 - 10:50 Discussant’s Remarks
- 10:50 – 11:00 Closing Remarks from Session Chair
Parallel Session - 1: Gender in Social Protection
9:30 - 11:00, Media Bazar
- Chair: Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare
- Discussant 1: Mr. Md. Daud Miah, ndc, Director General, NGO Affairs Bureau
- Discussant 2: Ms. Amrita Rejina Rozario, Country Director, Sightsavers
- Discussant 3: Mr. Bijoy Krishna Debnath, Managing Director (Additional Secretary), National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons
- Discussant 4: Professor Dr. Abu Eusuf, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
- Moderator: Mr. Khandaker Jahurul Alam, Executive Director, Centre for Services and Information on Disability
- 09:30 - 09:40 Keynotes
- Paper 19: Social Protection Framework for Persons with Disability
- Presenter: Mr. Aminul Arifeen, Programme Manager, Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme, UNDP
- 09:40 - 10:00 Paper 20: Non-State Actor Report on Social Protection: A Mapping of Social Protection Needs for the Marginalized Communities in Bangladesh
- Presenter: Mr. Aminul Arifeen, Programme Manager, SSPS Programme, UNDP
- 10:00 – 10:20 Paper 21: Persons with Disability: Two Decades of Experience
- Presenter: Mr. Ayon Debnath, Campaign Adviser, Sightsavers
- 10:20 – 11:00 Open Discussion
- 10:35 - 10:50 Discussant’s Remarks
- 10:50 – 11:00 Closing Remarks from Session Chair
Concluding Session: Building an Inclusive Future: Reflections & Conference Declaration
11:00 - 12:30, Carnival Hall
- Chair: Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare
- Discussant 1: Mr. Md. Daud Miah, ndc, Director General, NGO Affairs Bureau
- Discussant 2: Ms. Amrita Rejina Rozario, Country Director, Sightsavers
- Discussant 3: Mr. Bijoy Krishna Debnath, Managing Director (Additional Secretary), National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons
- Discussant 4: Professor Dr. Abu Eusuf, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
- Moderator: Mr. Khandaker Jahurul Alam, Executive Director, Centre for Services and Information on Disability
- 11:30 – 11:40 Opening Remarks from Secretary, Coordination and Reforms, Cabinet Division
- 11:40 - 12:00 Presentation on Salient Features of Bangladesh Social Security Conference 2025 and Conference Declaration
- Presenter: Mr. Mohammad Khaled Hasan, Additional Secretary, Coordination Wing, Cabinet Division
- 12:00 – 12:30 Wrap-Up Speech by Guests of Honour
- Ms. Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP
- Mr. Syed Haider, First Secretary and Head of Development, Australian High Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare
- Dr. Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission
- Ms. Mamtaz Ahmed, NDC, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
- 12:30 - 12:45 Speech by Chief Guest: Ms. Sharmeen S. Murshid, Hon’ble Adviser, Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
- 12:45 - 13:00 Closing Remarks from the Chair, Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Division
- 13:00 – 13:05 Vote of Thanks by Ms. Murshida Sharmin, Joint Secretary, Coordination Wing, Cabinet Division
