DHAKA, March 25, 2023 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has

underlined the need for taking more robust action than ever to ensure safe
drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for all in the healthcare facilities.
 
He said while speaking at the high-level event entitled: "Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities: Lesson Learned and the Way Forward"
jointly organised by Hungary and Philippines at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York on Friday, said a press release here.

In his remarks, he highlighted the major achievements of Bangladesh under the
visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in ensuring safe
drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene for all people of the country.

Referring to the National Strategy for Water supply and Sanitation 2021, he
said that in Bangladesh around 98 percent of our people have access to
drinking water, more than 80 percent to improved sanitation facilities,
nearly 75 percent to hand-washing facilities.

Bangladesh pioneered the community led total sanitation approach for
promoting sanitation which is now recognized and replicated in many
developing countries, he added.
 
In light of Bangladesh's successful experiences, Momen offered specific
recommendations to check the lack of progress in water, sanitation, and
hygiene service worldwide.
 
Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó, Secretary of
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Republic of the Philippines
Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and Georgian Regional Development and
Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze also spoke at the event.
 
Numbers of diplomats, high officials of the UN and its various organisations,
international NGOs working in the water sector and private stakeholders were
present at the event.
 
Foreign Minister also attended a high-level side event entitled:
"Revitalizing Social Protection Policies for Creating More Accessibility to
Drinking Water" jointly organised by Bangladesh Social Scientists Foundation
together with BRAC, AOSED, BWOT, Jago Nari, GRAUS and SDA at the Permanent
Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York.

He also held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Natural Resources,
Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and discussed
issues of mutual interest.