United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (September 20, 2023) said gender equality is not an option but rather an imperative to achieve a fair and just world. “Our efforts to achieve peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability would yield no result if half of the world’s population were left behind,” she said. The prime minister was speaking at the annual meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women leaders titled ‘Accelerating the implementation of SDG5 towards achieving Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability’ held at the United Nations Headquarters. Saying that every country is different and they have different challenges and different social and cultural dynamics, she, however, stated that when historic Agenda 2030 was adopted, all were committed to achieving gender equality. “We cannot back out of that commitment under any circumstances,” she said. Major economies must make fair share to avert impending climate crisis: PM Hasina at UN Hasina mentioned that as women leaders, all have a responsibility to stand by all women and create examples that can guide others. “We must leverage our position and power to achieve a gender-equal world,” she added. In this connection, she shared two specific points. These are: First, all must enhance their partnership base to make gender equality a norm across all sectors. The private sector needs to come forward to advance women’s participation at a higher level. “As leaders, we need to engage with them and encourage them to take bold initiatives in that regard," she noted. Second, all need to elevate their narrative from participation to leadership. Women must be in a leadership position to be able to influence decisions and make positive impacts in the lives of other women. PM Hasina attends banquet hosted by President Biden “And the UN must lead by example. It is regrettable that no woman has so far been appointed as the UN Secretary General. Time has come; we will have one soon.” Talking about Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said that guided by the constitutional commitment, the government has adopted the necessary laws and policies to ensure women’s equal participation in all walks of national life. “We invested heavily in girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment. Girls’ education has been made free up to the 12th grade. We are providing stipends and free books to students up to the secondary level.” She also said that the government has ensured that 60 percent of the school teachers at the primary level are women. “We have taken specific policy actions to encourage women's entrepreneurship and help them access financing. We have ensured concessional loans for women entrepreneurs.” World must learn from past mistakes to prevent another pandemic like Covid-19: PM Hasina tells high-level UN meet She mentioned that the government has established the Joyeeta Foundation to promote and support women in business initiatives. “We opened the doors for women in higher positions in government bodies. Women are now becoming judges of the highest court, ambassadors, higher positions in civil administration, the armed forces, law-enforcing agencies, vice chancellors of public universities, and so on. On the political spectrum, women are represented at all levels, from the top to the lowest tier of the government.” The prime minister said that the government has ensured women's and girls' access to ICT and digital platforms. There are 12,292 union and municipal digital centres that were run by a woman and a man. “We are providing training for women to work as freelancers. Our target is to achieve gender parity in the ICT sector, including tech start-ups and the e-commerce sector. We are one of the first countries to introduce gender-responsive budgeting.” In this regard, she said that thirty percent of our budget is allocated for women's development activities. She mentioned that women in Bangladesh have also been an integral part of our continued efforts to achieve sustainability. “Our gender-equal disaster response plan has earned us global recognition.” She said that the investments in women's development have given the country its dividends. “Today, women’s contribution to GDP has reached 34%. Economic empowerment has also enabled women to play a greater role in decision-making, both in their families and in society.” Read more: US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom meets Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in New York

Bangladesh has said it believes that any meaningful and sustainable solution to the current conflict must need “intensive” diplomatic engagement and “dialogue” between the parties involved in the conflict. “To our opinion, this important practical point is missing in the resolution. Therefore, we were constrained to abstain,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters today. Sharing Dhaka’s arguments in favour of abstention on UNGA resolution on “just peace in Ukraine,” she said guided by Bangabandhu’s philosophy of “friendship to all and malice towards none,” Bangladesh pursues a peace-centric foreign policy, which is based on the principles of respect for sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all states, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect for the principles enunciated in the Charter of the United Nations. Bangladesh continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine, particularly the loss of civilian lives, deteriorating humanitarian situation in conflict zone, and consequential socio- economic fallout around the globe, Sabrin said. Also Read: UNGA Resolution on Ukraine: 32 countries including Bangladesh, India and China abstain “We call for a cessation of hostilities and remain steadfast in our commitment that purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld at any cost,” she said. In this regard, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they see the importance of urging the UN Secretary-General and Member States to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in the proposed resolution. “We also firmly believe that peaceful settlement of international disputes must be complied with universally for everyone, everywhere under all circumstances, without exception,” she said. The ultimate objective of the latest resolution was to seek a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday that demands Russia leave Ukraine. Thirty-two countries including Bangladesh, India, China, Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstained from voting while seven countries including Russia voted against the resolution. A total of 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution.      

There is something almost cosmic to the coincidence that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s birthday each year falls right towards the back end of the annual get together of world leaders under the banner of the United Nations, as the colours of fall (or autumn) set in and the trees shed their leaves in America. This annual shindig of the international family of nations, each represented by their leader, happens to be - first and foremost - a global talkathon. Here, no nation is denied the opportunity to have its say. Well, almost no nation. At the just-concluded 77th session, for the second straight year, Afghanistan and Myanmar weren’t heard at UN General Assembly’s leaders’ meeting, with no representative of either government stepping forward to take the lectern as the UN tries to resolve who should represent them. Joining them this year was the small African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe - although their no-show happened to be more of a mystery, with no real explanations on offer or sought, it would seem. It goes without saying of course, that every year, a number of leaders’ participation just goes under the radar at the UNGA, that takes over the Turtle Bay area of New York City for almost a fortnight with all its side events, press conferences and external partnerships. Who flew in or who left when, is difficult to keep up with at the best of times. Also read: From the Editor-in-Chief: UNGA – Dysfunctional, impotent, out-of-touch and yet essential This year, with the in-person events resuming at full throttle for the first time in three years following the pandemic, there was an even greater rush and urgency to the proceedings. Time was when the Bangladeshi delegation would quietly register its presence on the designated date for its leader’s address, before withdrawing into some sideline events arranged by the expatriate community, somewhere far away in Brooklyn. Over the course of the last ten years though, that has visibly changed. As Sheikh Hasina’s stature has grown among world leaders, with each passing year she seems to pack a busier and busier schedule during her stay in New York. The expatriate community, that includes a very energetic overseas wing of her own party, the U.S. Awami League, increasingly must satisfy itself with one or two sightings of the prime minister at best in their midst. Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh today is an acknowledged partner in a number of bilateral and multilateral partnerships with the nations of the world, in a variety of fields ranging from security to the economy to conservation efforts. Its voice is increasingly heard, even sought. Earlier this year, the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres invited our PM on board a very select group of just six leaders (the others being the highly respected heads of government of Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal) to form a Global Crisis Response Group, to steer any global response, should the need arise, to any energy or food crisis that may suddenly occur, given the present vulnerabilities in which the world economy finds itself. Also read: Shaping a "Bangladesh model" for development. At the same time, Sheikh Hasina acts as co-chair of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, with Mia Amor Mottley, the prime minister of Barbados, who is also held in very high regard at the world leaders’ table. Their first event to raise awareness on this potentially vile problem was held on the sidelines of this year’s UNGA. Meanwhile, a newly established Platform of Women Leaders, an initiative of UN Women, could hardly have been complete without the participation of one who is now the longest serving active head of state or government among women in the world. With the departure of Angela Merkel from Germany’s political arena, and the recent demise of Queen Elizabeth, perhaps no other woman commands the respect and admiration of her fellows at the world’s highest forum for deciding humanity’s course forward. If birthdays are a time to reflect on life’s achievements, not just for oneself but for others, Sheikh Hasina’s is timed perfectly to demonstrate her worth to her people. Confidently strutting across the world stage, she is a beacon for her country’ aspirations. And we wish her many more still to come, as the very best ambassador for our nation. Read Sheikh Hasina: A legend in her own lifetime

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that the United Nations (UN) has urged its member states to formulate policies and laws so that excessive use of antibiotics can be prevented. The minister revealed the information during an exclusive interview with UNB, held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on Sunday. During the interview, the health minister informed that the issue of antibiotics use received special focus during the 77th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Read: Bangladesh makes progress in efforts to locally produce Covid-19 vaccines: Health Minister “This year, UNGA held three sessions on health, in which I had participated. The antibiotics issue, particularly resistance to antibiotics, was widely discussed during these sessions. Countries present during the sessions expressed great concern over the fact that people all over the world were often using antibiotics without prescriptions, and it was discovered that people from low and middle income countries were using antibiotics more than people from rich countries,” Zahid Maleque said. The minister added that one of the reasons why antibiotics use is so widespread is because a lot of medicines are sold over-the-counter. “Anyone can buy antibiotic medicine from the medicine stores directly, without showing any prescription. People are developing antibiotic resistance due to such overuse, which means antibiotics can’t cure the illness for which it is consumed. As a result, many people are dying around the world not from sickness, but from overusing drugs,” the minister commented. Read: First dose of Covid-19 vaccine won’t be administered after Oct 3: Health Minister Replying to a question, the minister said that Bangladesh’s healthcare system was praised during the UN session. “Our success in Covid-19 management has been lauded by all. Besides, the medicines we produce and export were also acclaimed. We screened a documentary in which we have highlighted our achievements in the health sector, which was well received. All in all, the response has been mostly positive,” Zahid Maleque said. Terming antibiotic resistance as a terrifying phenomenon, he added that the UN has emphasized the need for inventing new antibiotics that are more effective than the existing ones. Read “Won’t allow anyone to do business in the name of healthcare” “At the UN session, member states have been urged to provide healthcare services in proper ways. They have also been asked to ensure that no one can avail medicine like antibiotics without prescriptions. Most importantly, the countries present at the session have pledged to make sure that everyone gets treated by an expert doctor, and doesn’t consume drugs without sufficient reason,” the minister concluded.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she is returning from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with friendship for Bangladesh.  She made the remark in response to a query regarding what she was returning home with from the 77th UNGA. “Friendship, I’m returning home with friendship for Bangladesh. Everyone tried to mention Bangladesh’s development,” the PM said. PM Hasina was speaking at a press conference held at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission in the UN. “The most important thing is that we want peace. I don't want war, I don't want conflict. I think I have been able to convey this message to everyone and everyone has appreciated Bangladesh and our role,” she said. Replying to another question on investment of expatriates in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said that investment opportunities have been created so that expats can invest without hassles in the country. “The government is establishing 100 economic zones for domestic and foreign investment,” she added. In response to another question, she said, expats who do not have NID can open bank accounts with their passports.  “That arrangement has already been made.” Also read: PM in NY: Election will be fair, BNP has no reason to worry

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday demanded immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine war and lifting sanctions for the sake of lives and livelihoods of people worldwide. “We want the end of Russia-Ukraine war. Due to sanctions, and counter-sanctions, not a single country, rather the entire mankind including women and children is punished,” she said.  The Prime Minister made the call while delivering her statement at the 77th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Also read: Hasina breaks down in tears while talking about everyday ordeals of Rohingyas Like previous years, she delivered her statement in Bangla. The theme of this year's general debate is “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”. She mentioned that the impact of Russia-Ukraine war does not remain confined to one country, rather puts the lives and livelihoods of the people of all nations in greater risk, and infringes their human rights. People are deprived of food, shelter, healthcare and education.  She said Children suffer the most in particular and their future sinks into darkness. “My urge to the conscience of the world community- stop the arms race, war and sanctions. Ensure food and security of the children. Establish peace,” she said. Read Homelessness is a curse that impacts people everywhere: PM “We share one planet, and we owe it to our future generations to leave it in a better shape,” she said. “Dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and disputes,” she added. In this context, she thanked the UN Secretary General for setting up the Global Crisis Response Group. “As a champion of this group, I am working with other world leaders to determine a global solution commensurate with the gravity and depth of the current situation,” said the Bangladesh premier. Read Dhaka-Washington: A thaw in the offing? “This (war) has brought economies like ours under tremendous pressure. Inflation has gone up. We (Bangladesh) are taking various initiatives to overcome this situation,” she noted. Rohingya crisis may affect regional stability and beyond Talking about the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina said, Last month Bangladesh witnessed five years of the 2017 mass exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh from their home country. “Not a single Rohingya was repatriated to their ancestral home Myanmar, despite our bilateral engagements with them, discussions with partners in trilateral format and engagements with the UN and other partners to assist Myanmar to create necessary conditions for safe and dignified repatriation,” she complained. Read UNGA lauds Bangladesh’s leadership in promoting culture of peace In this connection, she said the ongoing political turmoil and armed conflicts in the country has made possibilities of Rohingya repatriation more difficult. “I hope the United Nations will play an effective role in this regard,” the PM added. Talking about the prolonged presence of Rohingyas in Bangladesh, she said, it has caused serious ramifications on the economy, environment, security, and socio-political stability in Bangladesh. “Uncertainty over repatriation has led to widespread frustration. Cross-border organized crimes including human and drug trafficking are on the rise,” she said, adding that this situation can potentially fuel radicalization. Read Citing abstention at UNGA vote on Ukraine, Lithuania withdraws vaccine donation to Dhaka “If the problem persists, it may affect security and stability of the entire region, and beyond,” she cautioned. Promote inclusive climate action Regarding the impact of climate change she said it is one of the biggest threats for humankind. “In the past, we have seen a vicious cycle of promises being made and broken. We must now change this course,” she said. In Bangladesh, she mentioned that the government has led to many transformative measures to tackle perilous impacts of climate change consistent with implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Read Fear grips border areas as Myanmar fighter jets fire towards Bangladesh During Bangladesh’s Presidency of Climate Vulnerable Forum, it launched ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’, which aims to put Bangladesh on a sustainable trajectory from “one of vulnerability to resilience to climate prosperity,” she said. “Our national plans and policies on climate change and natural disaster are gender responsive and take into account the critical role of women in adaptation and mitigation,” said Hasina. She said Bangladesh is ready to support other vulnerable countries to develop their own prosperity plans. “I call on world leaders to promote inclusive climate action,” she said. Read PM in NY: Rohingyas living in Myanmar’s Arakan since 8th century Zero tolerance policy on terrorism and extremism The Prime Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s stance of 'zero tolerance' to terrorism and violent extremism. “We do not allow our territory to be used by any party to incite or cause terrorist acts or harm to others,” she said. She also called upon the UN member states to work together for the conclusion of an internationally binding instrument to tackle cyber-crimes and cyber-violence. Bangladesh fully committed to protecting human rights As a responsible member state, Bangladesh is fully committed to protecting and promoting human rights of its own people, PM Hasina said. “We have adopted a holistic and inclusive approach to ensure the political, economic, cultural and social rights of the people.” Read Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY She said Bangladesh is interested in looking for transformative solutions to poverty alleviation, mitigating climate change effects, preventing conflicts and finance, energy and fuel crises that the world is grappling with now. Dhaka to continue supporting Palestine The premier said Bangladesh will continue to extend its support to the occupied Palestinian people. She reiterated Bangladesh’s unequivocal support for the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Read Helicopters attack school, village in north-central Myanmar, 7 children among 13 killed Briefly describing the success of Bangladesh in controlling COVID-19, she said, as of August 2022, hundred percent of the eligible population of Bangladesh have been vaccinated. Besides, in the 77th UN General Assembly 2022, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the economic progress of the country, its successes in different sectors including education, food security and health, and gender inequality.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said homelessness is indeed a curse and it affects people in both developing and developed countries. “Our experience shows, it is within our capacity to do something about removing this curse. All our friends and stakeholders gathered here can forge a strong partnership to make that happen,” she said. The prime minister said this while speaking at a high-level side event on Sustainable Housing held at her place of residence in New York. She is now in New York to attend the 77th session of the UNGA. PM Hasina said Bangladesh, being a densely populated country of 165 million people, could successfully manage the issue of homelessness. “We’re providing the landless-homeless people houses with land free of cost,” she said, sharing her experiences of success in building sustainable houses for the underprivileged people across the country. Read: Bring more women in decision-making leadership for a crisis-free world: PM Hasina She mentioned that counting on the vision of the Father of the Nation, her government in 1997 launched a project named ‘Ashrayan’ that means housing for landless-homeless people. For the last two decades, the government has made the most sincere effort to ensure free of cost housing for all. She mentioned that the coverage areas are not only the cities, rather it includes every village, town, district, island and hilly region of the country. On the occasion of birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, this effort is rejuvenated with bigger standings, she added.  Hasina cited that just in the last two years, the government has built 200,000 homes which accommodate nearly one million people. During her premiership of eighteen years the government has accommodated 3.5 million homeless people in more than half a million houses. Construction of another 40 thousand houses is presently going on. Under this project, each family is getting ownership of a brick-built house of 400-sq feet area with two-bedrooms, one long verandah, a kitchen and a sanitary latrine, she mentioned. “We’re providing free electricity connections, safe drinking water to every household. We’re giving the house and the land with a sufficient homestead area free of cost, which is unique in the history of the world,” she went on. The premier said the beneficiaries of these houses are landless-homeless, beggars, day labourers, destitute women, widows, persons with disabilities, elderly-people, the victims of domestic violence, ethnic minority, third gender people, leprosy patients, sweepers, and Harijan community. “We are addressing the climate-victim families too. We’ve already accommodated 5,000 climate-refugee families in 139 multistoried buildings in Cox’s Bazar,” she said. Read:Bangladeshi children to be raised as global citizens: Hasina She said previously it was a common scenario in Bangladesh that homeless people used to flock to the cities in search of employment and dwelling. “But, since the introduction of the Ashrayan project, this trend has almost stopped,” she continued.  Hasina said these people are now self-employed in their own localities. The government is following a model of `Inclusive Development.' The model ensures a holistic approach to make a rehabilitated person self-reliant and self-dignified with economic and social empowerment. The project ensures an equal share of ownership of the land and house for both husband and wife, she said. The PM said the house is the most basic need of every citizen of the country and it creates opportunities for fulfilling other needs. “In Bangladesh, we have experienced that a home is not just a place to live. Housing security accelerates a person's economic emancipation and motivates them to live with dignity.” Along with the provision of land and houses, the government has made successful arrangements in sending children to primary schools, she said. Besides, she said that to deliver primary healthcare, connections have been made with the nearby community clinics. The children and women receive thirty types of medicines free of cost. Homestead gardening, rearing poultry and fish production, including micro and small entrepreneurship activities led by women are in place. These interventions have made the initiative sustainable and eco-friendly, she added. Sheikh Hasina said the new urban agenda provides a useful blueprint for moving forward. “We must support UN-HABITAT’s work in supporting countries to implement the Agenda. Bangladesh will remain engaged with the Group of Friends here in New York to bring these issues to the forefront. Let us keep working for a world where homelessness becomes a matter of the past.”

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday termed Myanmar’s recent mortar shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”. He said this while addressing a press conference — on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s itinerary at the 77th UNGA — at Hotel Lotte in New York.  The foreign minister said Myanmar authorities informed them that they are not shelling, targeting Bangladesh. Read Myanmar claims mortar shells fired by Arakan Army, ARSA on its border forces landed in Bangladesh “That particular border area is very crisscrossed. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the border…for that reason, they are not shelling inside our border intentionally,” Momen said. One or two mortar shells that landed inside the Bangladesh border were dropped by mistake, he said. He also said that Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned the Myanmar ambassador and the Myanmar authority promised that they will remain cautious. Momen said Bangladesh has sealed the entire border and will not allow any more Rohingyas cross into the country. Read Malaysian foreign minister, int’l lawmakers demand decisive action on Myanmar He also mentioned that some Rohingyas went to the China area as they did not dare to come to the Bangladesh side. He hoped that the displaced Rohingyas, who are staying in Bangladesh, would return to their homeland. The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to the international community and the United Nations to play a more active role in repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their motherland Myanmar. Read Tension at Bangladesh-Myanmar border: Govt plans to evacuate 300 families She made the call while UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid a courtesy call on her in New York. Sheikh Hasina also emphasized enhancing UNHCR's activities in Myanmar for solving the Rohingya issue. In response, Filippo Grandi said he would visit Myanmar soon. Read BGB, Coast Guard asked to remain alert with “reinforcement”, if needed The PM reiterated that the Rohingya crisis can only be resolved by repatriating them to Myanmar.  The UNHCR High Commissioner also agreed with her on this matter. During the meeting, they discussed in detail the present operations of UNHCR to help Rohingyas who took shelter in Cox's Bazar and Bhashanchar in Bangladesh. Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities Later, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC)  Karim A A Khan QC also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They discussed various aspects of cooperation between Bangladesh and the ICC. The  Premier has assured the ICC Prosecutor that Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with all ongoing efforts at the ICC to ensure justice and accountability for the Rohingya victims of torture in Myanmar. Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh again early next year. Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well. In this meeting, the steps for sustainable urbanisation taken by the Bangladesh government and areas of future cooperation were discussed. Read Bangladesh-Myanmar border tension: ASEAN envoys to relay Dhaka's concerns In this connection, the Prime Minister informed him about the success of the Ashrayan Project undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh for the landless and homeless people.

While the political chessboard sets itself at home ahead of the run-up to the next elections - for which a fortnight’s window spanning the last week of 2023 and the first of 2024 has now officially been disclosed by the Election Commission - Sheikh Hasina’s government seems to smell more fertile ground overseas to get some points on the board. Of course September always has the flavour of international relations about it, given its permanent slot for UNGA Week. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spent barely a week in the country between returning from the extreme scrutiny of a bilateral summit in India to jetting off again for New York City (via farewell to Queen Elizabeth) for the annual meet of the international family of nations. Even so, it proved a busy, as well as telling, even fruitful period for the premier. Read:Buckingham Palace calling: King Charles thanks PM Hasina, wishes Bangladeshis well Although ostensibly this visit will be to the UN, the reality is lost on no one that this will be the first time Prime Minister Hasina will be setting foot in the US since an apparent strain in ties caused by the Biden Administration’s sanctions imposed against RAB and seven of its current and former top officials, including the current chief of police, Benazir Ahmed, last December 10 - International Human Rights Day. Even IGP Benazir’s recent visit, thanks to a UN invite for which the US allows certain exemptions to its own policies, drew great interest among Bangladeshis both at home and abroad. By and large it passed without incident. The Hasina visit is shaping up to be more significant. This was evidenced by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas seeking out an audience with the premier during her short stay in Dhaka. When an American envoy moves with such urgency, you can safely conclude something concrete is afoot. Interestingly, the US embassy’s statement following the meeting had no mention, not even as afterthought, of ‘human rights’ - on which the two sides haven’t seen eye-to-eye since President Biden took the reins in Washington. Rather, it spoke in glowing terms of ‘shared achievements over the 50 years of positive bilateral relations’ and setting the stage for the next fifty. Read: Your democracy is for you to develop: Doraiswami The range of issues discussed at the meeting included cooperation in economic development, security, climate change, Rohingya refugee assistance, and COVID-19, according to Ambassador Haas himself. While on the one hand there was the reiteration of US cooperation, particularly its remarkable contribution of vaccines (88 million doses) to Bangladesh during the pandemic, on the other there was acknowledgement of Bangladesh’s own achievements, including “remarkable economic progress, its leadership on climate change, its generosity in sheltering Rohingya refugees, and its tremendous contribution to global peacekeeping operations.” The clincher came with the announcement of a “ministerial-level special session” of the two countries, along with other stakeholders, to be held on the sidelines of the UNGA. Word in the diplomatic quarter of Dhaka was that it was all about the signing of two preliminary defence deals - pretty basic ones that only set the grounds for defence purchases from American manufacturers. But reading the tea leaves, you couldn’t help but feel a more significant breakthrough might be in the offing. Read UNGA lauds Bangladesh’s leadership in promoting culture of peace

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will be accompanying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her upcoming visits to London, New York and Washington, said an official of the foreign ministry. Momen was not part of the PM’s entourage during her just-concluded state visit to India (September 5-8), citing “health reasons”. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the United  Kingdom and the United States from September 15 to September 30, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The seventy-seventh session of the UN General Assembly opens on September 13 with the theme, “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.” Read: Momen not accompanying PM in India: Dipu Moni questions media’s use of “dropped” The theme stems from the recognition that the world is at a critical moment in the history of the United Nations due to complex and interconnected crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, humanitarian challenges of unprecedented nature, a tipping point in climate change as well as growing concerns about threats to the global economy. At the UN General Assembly, on September 20, heads of states and governments will explore solutions to the outstanding global challenges. This year’s general debate, which runs through September 26, is expected to be fully in-person. Read: Dhaka, Delhi likely to sign 7 deals, MoUs during PM's India visit: FM