Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for concerted efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive United Nations (UN) based on mutual respect, partnership, cooperation and solidarity.
"At this auspicious time, let us strive to build a stronger and more inclusive United Nations (UN) based on mutual respect, partnership, cooperation and solidarity," he said. Let us make the United Nations a beacon of hope. In this historic year of celebrating the golden jubilee of independence in our country and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh is committed to do what it can to create a blueprint for a better future for our people.
The Prime Minister said this in a separate message on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the United Nations on Saturday.
Sheikh Hasina said on this auspicious occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the United Nations, Bangladesh is reiterating its commitment to adhere to the goals and ideals of the UN Charter in tune with the international community. She said in the last seventy six years, the United Nations has stood by the prosperity of the human race in many areas, including peace and security, human rights, women's empowerment and sustainable development. But she also said, "We see people in many parts of the world struggling to establish their basic rights. The struggle for the just rights of the Palestinian people and the decades-long persecution of the Rohingya people in Myanmar are just a few examples. "
Also, while there are many unresolved issues and challenges such as climate change, disarmament, terrorism, ethnic and religious intolerance, the world is facing an invisible, deadly pandemic that is destroying lives and livelihoods with millions dying over the past two years, she said in this context, the time-honored values of the UN Charter - "uniting our forces" to serve "our people" - have become more relevant than ever.
She said Bangladesh's involvement with the United Nations has taken shape in the light of the vision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. His (Bangabandhu's) firm declaration ‘The Bengali nation is fully committed to building a world order where the aspirations of all people for peace and justice will be realized’ serves as a guiding principle for our people.
Sheikh Hasina further said, "Inspired by his ideals, we have maintained our partnership with the United Nations as a strong advocate of world peace, an active contributor to international development and a staunch supporter of universal values." Bangladesh, one of the leading advocates of a culture of peace, has today become a brand name in UN peacekeeping operations.
"We acknowledge our huge achievements in implementing SDGs, ensuring food security, empowering women, strengthening people-centered development initiatives and innovative solutions for sustainable growth," she said. As a result, despite the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are on track to become a middle-income by 2021, a developed by 2041, and a prosperous delta by 2100.