ZCZC
BSS-41
PRESIDENT-PM-UN-DAY
President, PM for strengthening Bangladesh engagement with UN system
DHAKA, Oct 23, 2018 (BSS) – President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today wished continuous strengthening of the engagement of Bangladesh with the United Nations (UN) system.
They made the wish in separate messages on the occasion of United Nations Day.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the UN has been the most prominent and comprehensive organization since its inception on October 24, 1945.
He said after more than seven decades of its foundation, the United Nations remains equally important and active for the cause of security, peace, sustainable development and human rights.
“As we are implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fighting together for eliminating poverty and combating terrorism, the role of the United Nations is assuming more prominence today,” he added.
The President said the role played by the UN today is irreplaceable by any other international organization.
“Therefore, concentrate effort needs to be taken by all of us to uphold the positive image of United Nations by realizing the principles stated in the UN Charter,” he added.
President Abdul Hamid said as a responsible member of international community, Bangladesh will always respect the principles of United Nations.
He said Bangladesh will continue its efforts to build cooperation among nations in order to solve economic, social, cultural or humanitarian problems and to contribute worldwide peace and security.
“On this day of commemoration, let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthen the United Nations for a better and brighter future where people can live their lives with dignity, peace and prosperity and no one is left behind,” the President added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said on the auspicious occasion of the UN Day, Bangladesh joins the international community in reiterating its firm conviction to uphold peace; ensure security; protect human rights and promote development across the globe, as enshrined in UN Charter and the Bangladesh Constitution.
She said after independence in 1971, Bangladesh joined the United Nations in 1974 under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The premier said in his speech at the UNGA in 1974, Bangabandhu stated: “The Bengali people have aspired to live in peace and friendship with all the nations of the world. The noble ideals enshrined in the United Nations Charter are the very ideals for which millions of our people have made supreme sacrifice.”
“We support the United Nations in its efforts to sustaining peace, creating harmony -within and among societies, religions and ethnicities around the world. Bangladesh has so far deployed 128,543 peacekeepers in 54 missions in safeguarding global peace. We lost 145 of our peacekeepers in the line of their duty,” she added.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh’s excellent performance in the fields of development, poverty reduction, disaster management, women empowerment and other socio-economic fronts helped it emerge as a ‘global development model’.
“Our per capita income has increased to US$ 1,751 in 2018 from US$ 543 in 2006. We have achieved an average 6-5% GDP growth over the last one decade and it reached 7.86% this fiscal year,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said inflation has decreased to 5.4 per cent. Poverty rate has dropped to 21.8 per cent in 2018 from 41.5 per cent in 2006.
“Our inclusive development policy has offered equal opportunity to all our people. This has laid down the foundation of our graduation from the LDC category. We have achieved most of the MDGs and is pledged bound to realise the SDGs,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said the underlying basis of establishing the UN is still pertinent as ever as the world still faces conflict and war and hunger and poverty.
The premier hoped that the United Nations system will continue to serve humanity and bring peace, harmony and sustainable development for all.
“We shall continue to draw inspiration from the vision of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to pursue peace, justice, development and cooperation as the cardinal principles of our engagement with the UN and the wider international community,” she said.
BSS/PR/MKD/MMA/2000hrs