A delegation from Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will arrive in New York on September 17 to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and speak during the general discussion session on September 22, according to Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen.
“In her speech, she will highlight Bangladesh’s incredible development advancement, inclusive economic progress and success in the health sector. Besides, issues like global peace, security, safe migration, Rohingya crisis and climate justice will come up in her address,” Momen said.
The foreign minister was speaking at the foreign ministry’s opening press conference. At the news conference, Md. Shahriar Alam, the state minister for international affairs, also addressed.
World leaders will gather in New York for attending the 78th session of the General Assembly (UNGA 78) under the theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and the sustainability for all.”
The first day of the high-level General Debate will be held on September 19.
On the fringes of the UNGA’s general debate session, Dr. Momen stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also participate in a number of high-level meetings and debates.
According to Momen, US Vice President Joe Biden has invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to a reception on September 19 in the evening.
In order to further deepen bilateral ties, the Prime Minister may also participate in bilateral talks with the heads of state and government of a number of other nations, including the Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Thailand, Denmark, and Sri Lanka.
According to Momen, a number of agreements between Bangladesh and Hungary, Kazakhstan, are likely to be signed during the visit.
“Active participation of the delegation of Bangladesh led by the Prime Minister is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in multilateral forums and broaden the field of international cooperation in matters related to Bangladesh’s interests,” said the foreign minister.
The Prime Minister is expected to join conferences titled “SDG Summit 2023”, “Thought for Food – Collaborating for food supply chain innovation to accelerate the SDGs”.
She will also take part in a High Level Debate on Financing for Development (FfD) and a High Level Roundtable on “Towards a Fair International Financial Architecture”.
These important gatherings will aid recovering nations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which were severely impacted by COVID-19.
The UN president has invited the premier of Bangladesh to a number of conferences, including a high-level debate dubbed the “Climate Ambition Summit” and the “High-Level Breakfast Summit on Climate Mobility”.
According to Momen, the Prime Minister will present her recommendations to the leaders of the globe in an effort to remove the risks brought on by climate change. She will also outline the steps taken by her government to address these problems.
As the Rohingyas’ repatriation to Myanmar is Bangladesh’s top priority, Momen announced that a side event named “High level side event on Rohingya Crisis” will be held to reaffirm Bangladesh’s position to the rest of the world.
At the side event, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Gambia, Turkey, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the European Union, the Prime Minister is scheduled to speak.
Many bilateral and multilateral actions have been taken to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar after six years of their influx into Bangladesh, however these actions have not produced the desired results.
The Prime minister is expected to attend some health related meetings – “Sheikh Hasina Initiative of Community Clinics: Innovative Approach to Achieving Universal Health Coverage Inclusive of Mental Health and Disabilities”, “Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response” , High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage”.
Through these meetings, the Prime Minister will highlight her government’s remarkable success in fighting against Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring healthcare for all in Bangladesh.
Momen said Bangladesh has been hailed as a role model in the world by empowering women and ensuring women’s participation in economic activities.
At this event, the Prime Minister will reiterate Bangladesh’s commitments and portray achievements by participating in several conferences on this topic.
Besides, during the visit, -UN Secretary-General, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Secretary-General’s Genocide Adviser, newly elected International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General and International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General will pay courtesy call on the Prime Minister.
The foreign minister informed that he will also accompany the Premier at those high-level meetings.
The foreign minister will also attend high level meetings on Sustainable Development Goals, Climate change, OIC, NAM, BIMSTEC, G-77.
During the visit, Momen said, he will join several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Lithuania, Sierra Leone, Singapore and Czech Republic, as well as he will hold a meeting with the minister for foreign trade and development cooperation of the Netherlands.
