US Embassy in Dhaka
US lauds Bangladesh’s role in UN peacekeeping
The US Embassy in Dhaka has applauded Bangladesh for the sacrifices it has made in being one of the world’s top contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
"It’s an opportunity to honor the thousands of Bangladeshis, who have for more than 30 years,helped maintain global peace," said the Embassy in a message marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Also read:PM: Peacekeepers brighten Bangladesh image abroad, ready to send more
The US Embassy also shared a photo of Squadron Leader Nayma Haque who is one of Bangladesh’s first two female military helicopter pilots.
She also served in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in DR Congo.
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, 29 May, offers a chance to pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian personnel’s invaluable contribution to the work of the Organization and to honour nearly 4,200 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 135 last year.
Also read:International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Sunday
The theme for this year’s Day is "People. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships.”
US welcomes Pfizer arrival in Bangladesh; reiterates to work together
The United States has welcomed the arrival of 106,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh saying the US, Bangladesh and global partners are working closely together to combat this pandemic.
This shipment was made possible through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, a global initiative to support equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The United States recently announced an initial $2 billion obligation—of a total planned $4 billion—to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance to support the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, making the United States the largest donor for equitable global Covid-19 vaccine access.
“The Covid-19 pandemic underscores that no nation can act alone against a global pandemic. The United States, Bangladesh, and global partners are working closely together to combat this pandemic,” said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller.
“We’re committed to working shoulder to shoulder with the government of Bangladesh to get through this unprecedented global health crisis and put systems in place so we’re more prepared for and resilient in future crises.”
Also read: 1 lakh-plus Pfizer vaccine doses reach Dhaka
The US contributions to COVAX, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), will support the purchase and delivery of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations in 92 low- and middle-income countries.
This support is critical to controlling the pandemic, slowing the emergence of new variants, and helping restart the global economy, said the US.
READ: European regulators OK Pfizer vaccine for children 12-15
The United States has worked closely with Bangladesh to protect the health of Bangladeshis and strengthen the government’s response to Covid-19, contributing over $76 million to date in development and humanitarian assistance from USAID, the US Department of Defense (DOD), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This assistance helped Bangladesh save lives and treat infected individuals; strengthen testing capacity and surveillance; enhance case management and infection prevention and control practices; improve supply chain and logistics management systems; increase public knowledge; train medical professionals; and ensure an effective roll-out of the vaccination campaign.
Additional US Covid response assistance included supplying 100 state-of-the-art US-manufactured ventilators; gas analysers to allow Bangladesh to produce its own ventilators; and tens of thousands of pieces of locally-produced personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers across Bangladesh.
Promoting respect for rights a global effort, says US
The United States has said promoting respect for human rights is not something they can do alone but is best accomplished working with their allies and partners across the globe, including Bangladesh.
The US State Department released the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, an annual report required by U.S. law on Tuesday.
Guided by the United Nations’ Universal Declarations on Human Rights and subsequent human rights treaties, the country reports do not draw legal conclusions, rate countries, or declare whether they failed to meet standards. The United States said it is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable.
As the United States and Bangladesh discuss common challenges, promoting democracy, good governance, and human rights will remain paramount, as discussed by Secretary of State Blinken and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in their February 21 phone call.
The United States and Bangladesh remain partners in addressing these matters together, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic values with our diplomatic leadership, and one that is centered on the defense of democracy and the protection of human rights.
US Embassy partners with Rajshahi fire service to build capacity
US Embassy in Dhaka has conducted its second Medical First Responder Seminar (MFRS) of 2021.
USAID to provide $2bn to propel global access to Covid vaccines
US President Joe Biden has announced that the United States intends to provide an initial amount of $2 billion, out of a total of planned $4 billion, to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to support the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment to provide Covid-19 vaccines for 92 low- and middle-income countries.
ShareAmerica launches Bangla website
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller has officially launched ShareAmerica’s Bangla language website to celebrate the International Mother Language Day 2021 and in honour of Bangladesh’s upcoming 50th anniversary of independence.
Bangladeshi Shamsul Haque first S Asian Lt Comm in NYPD
The US Embassy in Dhaka has congratulated Lt Shamsul Haque for becoming the first South Asian and first Bangladeshi to achieve the rank of Lt Commander in the Detective Squad of the New York Police Department (NYPD).
US interested in development plans for Ctg Port
Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy in Dhaka JoAnne Wagner has said the United States is interested in the development plans for the Chittagong Port due to its role as gatekeeper for Bangladesh’s export economy.