YouSaid · the spoken record

Sheikh Hasina

lines on the record: 296
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 16
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I pay my profound respect and homage to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose selfless, lifelong struggle and visionary leadership brought us our long- cherished independence. I also pay my deepest tribute to the valiant freedom fighters for their courage and sacrifices to free our motherland. The Father of the Nation was a strong advocate of multilateralism and called the United Nations the centre of the future hopes and aspirations of the world’s peoples. On the very first day of our journey in the United Nations, he said in his maiden speech before the General Assembly, on 25 September 1974, “Our goal is self-reliance; our chosen path is the united and collective efforts of our people.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I pay tribute to all front-line workers for their dedicated service and sacrifice during the crisis. Against the grim reality of COVID-19, the fact that the theme of this session focuses on hope is very timely. As an avowed supporter of multilateralism and the United Nations system, Bangladesh would like to see the Organization as a source of hope and aspiration during this critical time. We must set aside our differences and rise as one, while harnessing our collective strength to build back a better world for all. This is a very special year for us, as we celebrate the golden jubilee of our independence. The celebration coincides with Mujib Year — the centenary of the birth of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I congratulate the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session on his election. We have confidence in his presidency of hope to steer us through a sustainable recovery that leaves no one behind. I also congratulate Mr. Volkan Bozkir, the previous President of the General Assembly, for his leadership in the face of unprecedented challenges during the historic seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly. I take great pride in being able to say that I represent my country, Bangladesh, for the seventeenth time at the General Assembly. The seventy-sixth session is being held while the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is claiming lives across the globe. Many countries are being affected by recurring waves of new variants. The pandemic has battered health systems and economies across the world.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“On the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation, this is our pledge to our nation and to the world. I thank you all again. Khoda Hafez. Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu May Bangladesh live forever.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“More than three years have elapsed. Regrettably, not a single Rohingya could be repatriated. The problem was created by Myanmar and its solution must be found in Myanmar. I request the international community to play a more effective role for a solution to the crisis. Mr. President, The pandemic has indeed aggravated existing global challenges. It has also reinforced the indispensability of multilateralism. On this 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, our commitment to multilateralism as embodied in the UN Charter remains unflinching. At the national level, despite numerous challenges, we are committed to upholding the values of multilateralism and working towards building a “Shonar Bangla” free of poverty and exploitation based on democratic principles with full enjoyment of human rights, as envisioned by the Father of our Nation.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We have already formulated a national action plan in this regard. Our unflinching commitment to peace has resulted in the adoption of a zero- tolerance policy towards terrorism and violent extremism. National efforts have to be complemented by international cooperation to curb this menace. We consistently and strongly support the global quest for a nuclear weapons free world. To that end we support the aspirations of developing countries to benefit from the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Mr. President, Our painful experience and the worst form of genocide and crimes against humanity that our nation had to endure during our struggle for independence motivated us to support the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people. Bangladesh provided temporary shelter to over 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar Nationals.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Inspired by this foreign policy dictum, Bangladesh has been consistently contributing to international peace and security and the establishment of a Culture of Peace. During the pandemic, we see the rise of hate speech, xenophobia, and intolerance. Embracing the spirit of a Culture of Peace can help address these worrying trends. Currently, we are the largest troops and police contributing country in the world to the peacekeeping missions. Our peacekeepers are putting their lives on the line to secure and sustain peace in conflict-ravaged countries. International community must ensure their safety and security. This year we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. As one of its original proponents, we call for due recognition of women’s role in peace and security.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“As we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Declaration, we need to strengthen our resolve and mutual cooperation to address all the critical areas of concern. In Bangladesh, we have closed 72.6 per cent of our overall gender gap. Women’s contribution remains at the core of our national development. They are also at the forefront of pandemic response and recovery efforts. In Bangladesh we are implementing special programmes for the development of children. As the current President of the UNICEF Executive Board, we are leading efforts to address the existing disparity. At the same time, we remain vigilant to ensure that this health crisis does not turn into a children’s crisis. Mr. President, “Friendship to all and malice to none” is the fundamental principle of our Foreign policy.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I urge the international community and migrant receiving countries to treat migrant workers fairly and with empathy. Mr. President, The pandemic is worsening the pre-existing vulnerabilities of climate- vulnerable countries. In Bangladesh, we are dealing with the dual impact of recent floods and the cyclone Amphan even during the pandemic. As the current President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the V-20 Group of Ministers of Finance, Bangladesh would lead the Forum to map out a sustainable and climate-resilient pathway out of the crisis. We also stand ready to contribute to securing a constructive and productive outcome in the Glasgow COP. The Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action has helped the international community come a long way to ensure gender equality.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We cannot but emphasize more on the importance of leveraging science, technology, and innovation for closing the digital divide and mobilizing resources and technology transfer. It is also crucial that graduating LDCs and recently graduated ones are accorded scaled-up international support and incentive packages in the transition and post-transition phases to minimize the pandemic-triggered impediments. The migrant workers are the frontline contributors to the economies of their host and home countries alike. Many of them have lost their jobs during the pandemic while many have been sent back home. We have allocated $361 million for the returnee migrant workers. It is critical to help them regain employment in the post-COVID-19 job market.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“It is imperative to treat the vaccine as a ‘global public good.’ We need to ensure the timely availability of this vaccine to all countries at the same time. If we are provided with the technical know-how and patents, the pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh has the capacity to go for vaccine production in mass-scale. Efforts to contain the pandemic and achieve Agenda 2030 have to go hand- in-hand. Bangladesh’s second voluntary national review (VNR) presented this year shows that we are well on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We are working hard to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021, attain the SDGs by 2030, a developed country by 2041 and a prosperous Delta by 2100.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“During the pandemic, highest emphasis has been placed on food production. At the same time, we have taken all measures to ensure adequate supply of nutrition for our people. Special arrangements have been made for keeping the industries running and for proper marketing of agricultural products and industrial outputs in full compliance with health guidelines. Consequently, our health sector and economy are still comparatively at a better shape. Despite the COVID-19-induced stagnation in global industrial outputs, our GDP has registered a growth rate of 5.24 per cent, which is expected to be 7 per centin the next fiscal year. Mr. President, We hope that the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available in the world.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We launched vigorous awareness raising campaigns as well as distributed personal protective kits aiming to contain the spread of the Corona virus. These resulted in containment of seasonal diseases which are otherwise common in our country. We quickly identified the impending challenges of our financial sector and announced 21 stimulus packages. These packages include sectors such as exportintensive industries, safety and security of the workers, working capital for Small and Medium Enterprises, loan facilities for export growth, assistance to farmers and agriculture, loan for employment generation, interest relief for the affected business enterprises, refinancing schemes and insurance for the health workers. So far, we have announced stimulus package worth $13.25 billion, which is equivalent to 4.03 per cent of our total GDP.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We have provided scholarships to 4 million students. We have also given cash incentives to five million people including farmers, workers and laborers affected by the pandemic. To ensure healthcare of the common people, we are providing 30 types of medicines free of cost through 18,000 community clinics and union health centres. Alongwith government assistance, I myself have collected funds and distributed more than an amount of 2.5 billion taka among the orphans, poor students, Madrasas, Mosques, Temples, school teachers, artists, journalists who are otherwise not included in government’s assistance programmes. As a result, the impact of the pandemic among our people has been minimal. We announced 31-point directives soon after the detection of COVID-19 cases in the country.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Bangladesh achieved a GDP growth rate of 8.2 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-2019. But the COVID 19 pandemic has impeded our economic progress. However, in Bangladesh from the beginning we took initiatives putting equal emphasize on the lives and livelihoods of our people. We have announced stimulus packages aiming to minimize the impact of the pandemic on our business and productivity. We have greatly expanded social safety nets coverage. Every year, we allocate around 39 billion taka for our freedom fighters. Our allowances for the elderly, widows, destitute women, disabled and other backward sections of the society are benefitting approx 9.1 million families. We have readily arranged food and other assistance for people who are rendered jobless due to COVID-19. This arrangement has benefitted nearly 10 million families.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I remember, with deep pain, the brutal assassination of my father, Father of the Bangalee Nation and the then President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975 along with 18 members of my family including my mother, three brothers, two sisters-in law. The lives of myself and my younger sister were fortunately spared as we were out of the country at that time. We had to stay abroad as refugees for six long years. I mention this to this Assembly so that the world does not see the repetition of such heinous, brutal and unjust killings ever. Mr. President, The pandemic is a stark reminder that our fates are interconnected and that no one is secured until everyone is secured. This pandemic to a large extent kept us restricted to our homes. Consequently, our economic activities were greatly hampered along with our health systems.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The Bangalee nation fully commits itself to the building of a world order, in which the aspiration of all men for peace and justice will be realized.” His statement was indeed a bold expression for multilateralism. The reflection that Bangabandhu made in 1974 continues to remain equally relevant even today, as we grapple with the current crisis. This year is particularly significant for the Bangalee nation, as we are celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of our Nation. Our reflection on his life, struggle, and sacrifice and celebration of his achievements, is a source of our encouragement for brighter future and give us the hope to cope with the challenge of COVID-19. On the birth centenary, we, on behalf of all deprived people and nations pay rich tribute to Bangabandhu.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Just as the Second World War created opportunities for countries to come together in their efforts to cooperate, through the establishment of the United Nations, similarly this pandemic has emphasized the need for collective action under the guidance of right leadership. With profound gratitude, I remember the undisputed leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time. He taught the Bangalee nation to stand firm in the world by ending exploitation, deprivation, and oppression. Following his footsteps, we have been able to secure a respectable position for Bangladesh in the comity of nation. From this august Assembly he declared, “The noble ideals enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations are the very ideals for which millions of our people have made the supreme sacrifice”.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I also had the privilege of attending the General Assembly Sessions in-person for 16 times. I emphasized world peace and solidarity in all my speeches. As a Head of Government, this year I am delivering my 17th speech in the Assembly. I take this opportunity to pay my tribute to all frontline fighters including health workers and public servants who are working tirelessly to ensure safety of the affected countries and population. I also commend the United Nations Secretary- General for his bold leadership and multilateral efforts during this crisis. Bangladesh was among the first rank of countries to endorse the Secretary-General’s various initiatives, including his global ceasefire appeal.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Hon’ble Prime Minister Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful Mr. President, Assamu Alaikum. I congratulate you on your election as the President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. We are passing through an unprecedented crisis in the history of humankind due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also the first time in the UN’s history that the General Assembly is taking place on digital platform without the presence in person of the Heads of States and the Heads of Governments at the UN Headquarters in New York. This General Assembly Hall evokes deep emotions in me. From this very hall in 1974, my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered a speech for the first time in Bangla as the Head of Government of a newly independent country.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Bangladesh will continue to support the United Nations as a strong multilateral body that is fully equipped to deal with the tasks and responsibilities assigned to it under the Charter of the United Nations. With the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations approaching next year, let us call for collective action to build a stronger United Nations so that our civilizations may deal with emerging challenges throughout the next century. May Bangladesh live forever.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We will continue to lend our support to the bold and constructive actions of the Secretary-General to make the Organization fit for purpose and strengthen people’s trust in it. As an expression of our support for the reforms and to ensure the effective functionality of the new resident coordinator system, we will make a financial contribution to the special purpose trust fund. For us, multilateralism remains a panacea for resolving the problems of the world and creating global goods. The United Nations is the symbol of hope for peace, stability and prosperity, as envisioned by the father of our nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his address to the General Assembly in 1974.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Thirdly, Myanmar must guarantee the security and safety of the Rohingya by deploying civilian monitors from the international community in Rakhine state. Fourthly, the international community must ensure that the root causes of the Rohingya problem are addressed and that the human rights violations and other atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingya are held to account. We appreciate the Secretary-General’s initiatives aimed at reform, particularly those of the United Nations development system. We have high expectations that the new generation of United Nations country teams and the reinvigorated resident coordinator system will be able deliver results that are better aligned with national priorities and more accountable to host countries.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In my address to the seventy-second General Assembly, I presented a five-point proposal to resolve the crisis, which included the full implementation of the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Foundation Advisory Commission report and the establishment of civilian-monitored safe zones in Rakhine state (see A/72/PV.14). Today I would like to reiterate some of the actions I proposed. First, Myanmar must manifest clear political will that is supported by concrete actions for the sustainable return and reintegration of the Rohingya to Myanmar. Secondly, Myanmar must build trust among the Rohingya by abrogating and ending discriminatory laws and practices and granting the Rohingya representatives go-and-see visits to northern Rakhine.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Moreover, increasing congestion and environmental degradation is challenging the health and security of people in the host area. We are bearing the burden of a crisis that is of Myanmar’s own making. It is an issue solely between Myanmar and its own people, the Rohingya. They themselves have to resolve it. The voluntary return of the Rohingya to their homes in Rakhine state in safety, security and dignity is the only possible solution to the crisis. We will continue our engagement with Myanmar to ensure the repatriation of the Rohingya.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“As the Rohingya crisis remains unresolved, I am unfortunately compelled to raise the issue in the Assembly again. We continue to host 1.1 million Rohingya who were forced to leave Myanmar owing to atrocities committed against them. The crisis is now entering its third year. Yet to date not a single member of the Rohingya people has been able to return to Myanmar due to the absence of safety, security and freedom of movement and an overall environment that is not conducive to the return of the Rohingya to the Rakhine state of Myanmar. I urge the international community to understand that the situation is untenable. The crisis is now going beyond the camps; indeed, despite all our efforts to contain it, the crisis is now becoming a regional threat.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In order to prevent and suppress human trafficking nationally and foster international cooperation in tackling human trafficking, we recently acceded to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, also known as the Palermo Protocol. The value of the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security is enormous. During the 1971 war of liberation, 3 million innocent people were killed in a genocide orchestrated by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators. Some 200,000 women were violated. Our painful experiences have emboldened us to continue to speak out for the oppressed. We will stand firm in our support for our Palestinian brothers and sisters until their just and rightful struggle comes to fruition.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Our strong actions against extremism, terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption have restored peace in our society and among its people. We shall persist in our actions. Bangladesh promotes safe, orderly and regular migration. Following the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, we have spearheaded the development of modalities for its implementation. At the national level, we are mainstreaming migration into national development strategies. Irregular migration and human trafficking are global menaces rooted in complex nets of syndicates and criminal networks.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“As the second largest troop- and police-contributing country, Bangladesh continues to respond to the call for troops to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations. We support the Secretary-General’s initiatives to make United Nations peace operations fit for the future. In responding to his call for the implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping agenda, we have come on board as a champion country. We have also been playing an important role in the evolution of the sustaining-peace conceptual framework. We continue to promote the idea of the culture of peace, which has withstood the test of time and become a dominant theme at the United Nations. Earlier this month, in this Hall, we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“As a partner country in the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment and the Global Commission on Adaptation, Bangladesh has advocated addressing the special challenges and vulnerabilities of countries such as our own and adopted transformative and innovative climate-resilient technology and crops to reduce disaster risks. Our long-term plan for adaptation and resilience is anchored in our Delta Plan 2100, a comprehensive and long-term technoeconomic plan for the Bangladesh Delta. The Plan focuses on food security, water safety, climate change, environment sustainability, disaster management and sustained economic growth. Following the recent Dhaka meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation, we are working on setting up a global centre for adaptation in Dhaka.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bangladesh is now the second-largest user of solar-powered household systems in the world. Bangladesh’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy is enhanced by its consistent position against nuclear armament. We recently ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The global stand for taking climate action fostered by the Climate Action Summit, concluded just days ago, will translate into genuine impetus for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the broader context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The number of Internet users has crossed the threshold of 90 million people, and teledensity has surpassed 93 per cent. The Bangabandhu Satellite-1, which we launched last year, has facilitated the expansion of broadcast-based services in remote areas and improved communications for development. The blue economy is our new frontier for opportunities. We have developed a policy and a plan of action to tap our marine resources in the Bay of Bengal. We are contributing to the United Nations norm-setting exercises on protecting marine biological diversity in areas within and beyond national jurisdiction. We are building our first-ever nuclear-power plant in Rooppur, based on the principle of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Some 93 per cent of our population is covered by the electricity grid.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The centres provide 30 different types of medicine and primary health-care services free of cost to people living in rural areas, 80 per cent of whom are women and children. The number of cases of maternal, infant and child mortality, malnutrition, stunting and low weight continue to decline thanks to these measures. We have put special emphasis on the inclusion of persons with autism, disabilities and special needs in our development journey. Currently, 1.645 million people with such disabilities and needs are receiving Government allowances. We are investing in human capital to create an inclusive society through equal access to technology. Countrywide, 5,800 digital centres are bringing 600 e-public services to people’s doorsteps.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Having achieved the milestones of gender parity and 100 per cent enrolment, we are now focusing on enhancing the quality of education, with an emphasis on e-learning and qualified teachers. Our school drop-out rate has decreased from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. In 2010, we initiated a free book-distribution programme for all students up to tenth grade. To date, 2.96 billion textbooks have been distributed free of cost, of which approximately 352.2 million books were distributed in 2019 alone, 2.3 million students in primary and higher levels of education were awarded scholarships, and 12.3 million mothers are receiving stipends by mobile phone. We have created an extensive network of 18,000 community clinics and union health centres to provide the entire population with health-care coverage.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Extensive rural development, embedded in the concept of “my village, my town” and home-grown and pro-poor village projects like the Ashrayan and Amar Bari Amar Khamar projects have contributed to our inclusive development. Bangladesh was ranked thirty-fourth in the World Economic Forum’s Inclusive Development Index 2018, significantly surpassing other South Asian countries in this ranking. A key development strategy in Bangladesh has been addressing inequality through social security, decent work and financial inclusion. The current safety-net system provides special consideration for vulnerable groups. Support comes in the form of cash, food, assets, employment wages, training, savings and community support. These programmes are expanding, currently serve almost a quarter of the population and account for 2.58 per cent of our GDP.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Our exports grew threefold for the period from 2005 to 2006, reaching $37 billion in 2017-18. Per capita income grew by a factor of three and a half. Our GDP growth has now reached 8.13 per cent. From 2005 to 2006 and from 2018 to 2019, our investment rose from 26 per cent to 31.5 per cent of GDP. Private-sector investment increased by a factor of five to $70.8 billion. The foreign exchange reserve grew by a factor of nine to $33 billion. Poverty and inequality are the two major obstacles that stand in the way of development. Bangladesh has achieved one of the fastest poverty-reduction rates in the world, with the poverty rate dropping from 41.5 per cent in 2006 to 21.4 per cent in 2018, and with extreme poverty decreasing from 24 per cent to 11.3 per cent for the same period.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Despite turbulence in the rules-based international order and fears of a gradual economic slowdown, Bangladesh has continued to prosper over the past 10 years. According to the Spectator Index 2019, Bangladesh recorded the highest economic growth of 26 listed countries in the past 10 years, with the 188 per cent expansion of its gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices. Our GDP has grown from $102 billion in 2009 to $302 billion this year. We continue to pursue a pragmatic programme for achieving rapid economic and social development. Poverty eradication, sustainable growth, the protection of the environment and human-resources development are some of the key features of our development strategy. Over the past 10 years, we have adopted progressive and timely policies and taken measures that have resulted in impressive development.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“As the world’s principal multilateral body, the General Assembly is perfectly suited to steer the actions that would promote international cooperation to achieve development, peace and security. The emphasis given to the specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion, are critically important for our civilization. Our shared aspirations and commitment to realizing the SDGs are reflected in the election manifesto of the Bangladesh Awami League, with which we earned the confidence of the people to grant us our third consecutive term in office. Our 21-point political commitment is dedicated to the well-being of people. Bangladesh has often been cited as a development miracle.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Despite the many difficulties and obstacles placed in its way, the United Nations, during the more than quarter-century of its existence, has significantly contributed to human progress in the political, economic, social and cultural fields.” (A/PV.2243, para. 21) In fact, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman envisaged a leading role for the United Nations in pursuing development, peace and justice. In Bangladesh, we are now preparing to celebrate the centenary of the birth of this great leader, beginning in March 2020. Reflecting on his vision and aspirations, we wish to bring this celebration to the United Nations in the next year. The President’s call to galvanize multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion could not have been more relevant.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on his election as the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session. I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces for her strong leadership over the past year. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his dynamic leadership. As I stand here at this august podium, I recall the architect of Bangladesh, the father of our nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In 1974, before the General Assembly, he said, “In a world that is marked by strife and human misery, the United Nations remains the focus of man’s hope for the future.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In the past nine and a half years, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in various socioeconomic sectors. The Bangladesh that the world knew as a land plagued by disasters, floods, droughts and hunger has achieved wonders in maintaining international peace, managing disasters, empowering women and consolidating development gains. Bangladesh has now surpassed its neighbours in South Asia on a number of indicators. But our journey has not reached its end. It will continue until the day we can build a Bangladesh free of hunger, poverty, illiteracy and exploitation — the Shonar Bangladesh of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, may Bangladesh live forever!”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As Chair of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers, we shall continue to work with the international community to resolve the Palestinian question. There are three elements that play the most critical parts in advancing human civilization: peace, humanity and development. For the well-being of human societies, we must continue to strive for humankind. Our main objective must be to serve the people and ensure their well-being. It is humanity and goodwill that can take us forward on the pathway to sustainable development. In a world faced with a myriad of challenges, our common interest, shared responsibility and sustainable partnership are our best bet for preserving human civilization. All my life, I have been working to make a difference in the lives of my people.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“A project worth $50 million is being implemented for the conservation of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have integrated our development programmes and our efforts to build capacity to combat climate change into a mega-project entitled Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. It is a water- centric, multi-sectoral, technoeconomic plan with a long-term time frame. It was developed bearing in mind the local geomorphology and global climate-change impact. Bangladesh is the only country in the world that has adopted such a long-term development plan — it spans 82 years. We are shocked by the continued violation of the rights of the brotherly people of Palestine. That must come to an end.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It was in fact a dream of our Father of the Nation that we would one day reach outer space. The launching of that satellite helped us realize the aspiration he instilled in us when he set up the country’s first satellite ground station on 14 June 1975. Bangladesh is one of the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Its topography, coupled with its high population density, has made the country particularly vulnerable to climate-change risks. Bangladesh remains committed to implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We are spending over 1 per cent of our gross domestic product on addressing climate-change impacts. We are also promoting climate-resilient agriculture. Initiatives have been taken to increase tree coverage from 22 to 24 per cent in the next five years.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Saima Hossain Wazed, the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and a member of the World Health Organisation’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health, has been named a Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia on that issue. We welcome the formation of the Secretary General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation. The underlying premise of our vision for a digital Bangladesh is to promote people’s well-being. The widespread introduction of Internet-based public- service delivery has led to a growth in job creation at the grass-roots level. The idea of a digital Bangladesh has taken shape. We have made our foray into the world of space technology by launching our own satellite, Bangabandhu I, making Bangladesh the fifty-seventh country in the world to have done so.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“With approximately 18,000 community health clinics and union health centres operating, health care has reached our people’s doorsteps. Thirty different types of medicines are being distributed free of cost. Tuberculosis prevention and control efforts have been intensified so as to reach the 2030 Agenda SDG target. As a result, tuberculosis-related deaths have decreased by 19 per cent in the past two years. Bangladesh has also been playing a pioneering role in raising awareness about the needs of children affected by autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In order to further consolidate our efforts in that regard, a specialized cell is being created in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A National Steering Committee and a National Advisory Committee have already been set up.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Ten per cent of the small entrepreneurs fund and 10 per cent of industrial plots are earmarked for women entrepreneurs. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. More than 160 million people now live in a land area of only 147,570 square kilometres. Despite our resource constraints, we have made significant strides across a range of social indices. The maternal mortality rate has decreased to 170 per 1,000, and the mortality rate of children under the age of five has decreased to 28 per 1,000. Life expectancy has increased to 72 years from 64 years in 2009. In the past fiscal year, we spent 5.9 per cent of our national budget in the public health sector. This year, investment in health has increased by 17 per cent.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In early 2009, it was 35 to 65. Bangladesh is perhaps the only country in the world where in its national Parliament, the Speaker of the House, the Leader of the House, the Deputy Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition are all women. In the present Parliament, there are 72 elected female members. Thirty-three per cent of seats are earmarked for women in local Government bodies in order to promote women’s political empowerment at the grass-roots level. Approximately 20 million women are employed in the agricultural, service and industrial sectors. Women constitute 80 per cent of the 4.5 million workers engaged in the garment sector, which is our largest exports earner. Women entrepreneurs are offered collateral-free bank loans with a 5 per cent service charge.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Micro-savings programmes have been introduced for rural, marginalized communities through the One House, One Farm project. The amount saved by beneficiaries in their individual accounts is matched by the Government. The Shelter Project is being implemented with the aim of ensuring that no one is homeless in Bangladesh. We are working to provide each of our villages with urban facilities. Women’s empowerment and participation have been a major factor in Bangladesh’s outstanding development. We have promoted women’s empowerment by enhancing their education opportunities and facilitating their political and economic emancipation. We have created opportunities for girls to pursue their education free of cost up to the twelfth grade in public educational institutions. At the secondary level, the ratio of girls to boys is 53 to 47.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Since 2010, students have received free textbooks from pre-primary up to secondary levels in school. A total of 354.92 million books have been distributed among 43.76 million students this year. Vision-impaired students receive books in Braille. Children from ethnic minorities are given books in their mother tongues. Approximately 20.03 million students from the primary to the graduate level receive stipends. Stipend money for 14 million students is sent directly to their mothers through mobile phones. We have ensured 100 per cent enrolment at the primary level. The literacy rate has increased from 45 per cent to 72.9 per cent over the past nine and half years. Our home-grown, innovative socioeconomic development models have gained broad popular acceptance.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)