The reform plans of Bangladesh’s interim administration, headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus, have the unwavering support of the UN.
According to a press release from the foreign ministry issued today, the pledge was made by the universal global organisation during a meeting on Wednesday in New York between its Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and visiting Bangladesh Foreign Secretary, Md. Jashim Uddin.
The foreign secretary expressed gratitude to DiCarlo for his promise, describing the UN’s help as “crucial” to bringing the student-led movement of July–August to fruition.
They also talked on Bangladesh’s role in the UN peace framework and the ongoing Rohingya crisis during the meeting.
On UN peace operations, the foreign secretary made a request to the UN through USG to increase representation of Bangladeshi nationals at the senior policy making levels.
About the Rohingya issue, Jashim underlined ‘global attention as well as global action’ to solve the crisis.
He expressed concerns that the current conflicting situation in Myanmar is leading to new influx of Rohingyas inside the territory of Bangladesh.
Alluding to the possible spill over in the entire region, the foreign secretary urged the UN to play a greater role in resolving the crisis in Myanmar and facilitating the repatriation of the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
He also assured of Bangladesh’s full cooperation to the special envoy of the secretary-general.
The foreign secretary recalled the proposal of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to convene an international conference on the Rohingya crisis, and requested the UN support in that regard.
In response, the under-secretary-general appreciated the ongoing cooperation between the Bangladesh’s interim government and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
She offered further cooperation to advance the reform initiatives in key areas.
She also commended the role of Bangladesh in UN Peacekeeping.
On the Rohingya issue, DiCarlo expressed hope that new Special Envoy of the Secretary General Julie Bishop will continue to work with all stakeholders to address this issue comprehensively.
Earlier, the foreign secretary delivered a statement at the Third Committee of the General Assembly on ‘advancement of women’.
In his speech, he emphasised the value of funding women’s education and skill development and the necessity of raising the required funds in this area.
Jashim highlighted the steps taken by the Bangladeshi government to promote female education, gender equality, bridge the digital divide, ensure women’s well-being, and provide them economic power so they can support themselves.
In addition, the foreign secretary emphasised Bangladesh’s support for the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, CEDAW, and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Bangladesh’s important contribution as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council was acknowledged in the 2000 adoption of the UN Security Council’s founding resolution, 1325.
