Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that young people are the vital force of any nation and the primary driving force behind its progress. He noted that the youth have made undeniable contributions to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh, overcoming national crises and advancing the country’s development.
The Prime Minister made the remarks in a message issued on Saturday (October 31) ahead of National Youth Day 2026, which will be observed on November 1.
In his message, Tarique Rahman said the country’s youth had played an important role in achieving independence, addressing various national challenges and contributing to the nation’s development journey.
He recalled that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman recognised the immense potential of young people in nation-building and took initiatives to organise them. Under his direction, the Ministry of Youth Development was established in 1978, which later became the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
He added that the Department of Youth Development was established in 1981 to implement youth development programmes at the grassroots level.
The Prime Minister also recalled that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia took initiatives in 1991 to establish youth training centres in every district, aiming to expand employment opportunities and make young people self-reliant through technical and practical training.
According to the Prime Minister, the Department of Youth Development has provided various forms of skills training to more than eight million young men and women so far. Of them, around 2.5 million have become self-reliant through self-employment. Their monthly earnings range from Tk 20,000 to Tk 100,000, with some earning even more.
He said that Tk 28.6187 billion in youth loans had been distributed to support young entrepreneurs up to June 2026.
Highlighting the National Youth Award as an important initiative, he said 546 self-employed individuals, including women and youth organisers, had received the recognition so far in appreciation of their contributions to nation-building. He also congratulated this year’s award recipients.
The Prime Minister emphasised that acquiring technical and technological skills alongside conventional education has become essential for young people to remain competitive in the modern world. He said the youth must equip themselves with modern knowledge and skills amid rapidly changing global circumstances.
He further said the government had launched training initiatives on artificial intelligence (AI) shortly after assuming office. Through freelancing and AI training projects, participants are gaining professional skills and opportunities to earn foreign currency by working online.
Tarique Rahman also highlighted the role of young people in environmental conservation, saying that under the IMPACT project, young participants are contributing to environmental protection through the installation of biogas plants.
He stressed the need to introduce more training programmes in smart agriculture, export-oriented packaging, food processing, foreign language education and other emerging sectors. Such initiatives, he said, would help build a modern, skilled and competitive workforce.
The Prime Minister called upon young people to dedicate themselves to national development by developing their talents, innovative capabilities and technological skills.
He also announced that the government had allocated Tk 5 billion for a startup fund to support young entrepreneurs. For the first time in the country, a dedicated startup budget has been introduced to ensure that promising ventures do not fail due to a lack of funding.
Referring to the theme of National Youth Day 2026, “Skilled Youth Will Build the Nation, Bangladesh for All,” the Prime Minister expressed hope that young people would play an increasingly effective role in the country’s development, leadership and future progress.
He wished overall success for all programmes organised to mark National Youth Day 2026.
