"The current global scenario with regard to the outbreak of COVID-19 is not allowing us to hold such large scale public event at this moment for the sake of public health safety as well as the safety of our invited esteemed guests," he said.
The receptions and public events to be organised by Bangladesh missions abroad to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu all over the world have also been deferred to later convenient dates within the ‘Mujib Year’ upon improvement of the situation.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks at a reception at state guesthouse Padma on the eve of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A cake was cut and colourful balloons were released as part of the brief advanced celebrations.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and diplomats stationed in Dhaka were present.
Bangladesh is going to celebrate the birth centenary of the greatest Bangalee of all times, the architect of the sovereign and independent Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Tuesday.
The government announced ‘Mujib Year’ to celebrate the birth centenary both at home and abroad throughout the year.
Dr Momen recalled with profound reverence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who steered epic struggle for freedom.
He said the universality of the political ideals of Bangabandhu against oppression and prejudices make him a great source of inspiration for the people all over the world.
"Bangabandhu dedicated his life to establishing a democratic, peaceful, poverty-free, hunger-exploitation and discrimination-free society, ‘Sonar Bangla’, a Golden Bengal, a prosperous and stable Bangladesh," said the Foreign Minister.
With a foreign policy dictum of “friendship to all and malice towards none”, he said, Bangabandhu made his mark amongst the international community within a very short span of time through promoting humanism, fellow feeling, empathy and compassion for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh celebrates March 17, the National Children’s Day, every year with the intention of inspiring the new generation of country to learn the significance of the War of Liberation from the life and struggle of Bangabandhu.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, the government has been working to turn Bangladesh into an upper middle income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.
He said among the 45 Asia-Pacific countries, Bangladesh achieved 8.15 percent GDP rate, the highest growth last year.
"On the eve of this historic occasion, may I wish, let us work unitedly to build a happy and safer world for our next generation," Dr Momen said.