DHAKA, Oct 6, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today addressed a press conference at her official Ganabhaban residence here this afternoon on her joining the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and visits to the USA and the UK.
She read out a written speech at the beginning of the press conference.
Following is the speech verbatim:
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Colleagues and
Dear journalist brothers and sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum. Good afternoon.
My heartiest greetings to all.
On September 17 in 2023, I went to New York to join the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. I stayed there till September 22. I returned home on Wednesday last after wrapping up my visit from September 23 to September 30 in Washington and September 30 to October 3 in the United Kingdom.
I addressed the debate session of the General Assembly on September 22. The theme for this year's General Debate was "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all."
The topics I upheld in my speech were:
* I emphasized unity, solidarity and multilateralism instead of divisions, parochialism and isolation in achieving world peace and sustainable prosperity and facing the challenges of common crises.
* Bangladesh and other developing countries lagged behind in implementing SDG due to the impacts of climate change and coronavirus pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. Under the circumstances, I called for keeping intact the special advantages entitled under this category for required period even after the graduation from the category of least developed countries (LDCs).
* I called for inclusion of special provisions relating to natural calamities in all credit systems and financing at concessions, low interest rate and minimum terms for developing nations after reforming international financial institutions.
* Proposal to introduce regional 'Food Bank' side by side putting importance on increasing global investment in the sector of agricultural products preservation for ensuring food security.
* I highlighted my government's notable activities and successes. These included programme for meeting climate change risks, Ashrayan project for homeless people, social safety net, distribution of rice and other products at reasonable prices for low income group people, multifaceted programme for ensuring women empowerment and gender equity, free textbook distribution and scholarship programme and introducing community clinic like projects.
* I thanked international community for mentioning community clinic model as "Sheikh Hasina Initiative" at the United Nations General Assembly and recognized it as a model for other developing nations.
* I expressed our concern over the rise of global terrorism, misuse of information and communication technology, creation of hatred and extremism. I reiterated my government's "zero tolerance" policy against extremism and terrorism.
* I called upon the international community for repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingya population who took shelter in Bangladesh, to Myanmar to ensure security and stability in the region.
* I demanded that the human rights protection issues don't be used as a weapon to put pressure on developing nations. I firmly announced that my government has been ensuring democracy, rule of law and freedom of expression as per the constitution and it will continue it.
I joined many important summits and high-level meetings in this year's UNGA. Those include:
* High Level Thematic Session of Climate Ambition Summit;
* High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage;
* High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response;
* High-level Roundtable `Towards a Fair International Financial Architecture;
* Annual Meeting of the UNGA Platform of the Women Leaders;
* High Level Thematic Session of Climate Ambition Summit.
In these high-level meetings, I gave several recommendations. I have proposed forming an international cooperation framework among stakeholders concerned under the leadership of World Health Organization to deal with any pandemic in future.
To ensure universal health care for all, we have proposed to share experiences to develop a data-based and interoperable health information system with health identity cards.
In discussions on fair international financial management, I called for setting SDR debt limits on the basis of need and risk rather than quotas and implementing through soft loan.
Besides, we have emphasized giving priority to fair and effective credit facilitation based on coordination and transparency among lenders.
On the sidelines of the 78th UNGA, Bangladesh arranged two high level meetings- High-level side event on community clinic based Medical Services and High Level Side event on Rohingya crisis.
I highlighted five specific priorities at the high-level meeting on community clinic-
1) Reducing medical expenses of common people through community clinics; 2) Providing digital and modern diagnostic services through community clinics; 3) Capacity building to prevent climate change related diseases; 4) Providing mental health services through community clinic; and 5) Using community clinics as a health related primary database.
The high-level meeting on the Rohingya issue was attended by the President of East Timor, heads of various international organizations and high-level representatives of various countries.
In addition to creating international pressure on the Myanmar authorities to return the displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar, I have called upon them to continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas and to support the ongoing cases in the International Court of Justice and other courts to ensure justice for the Rohingya people who are victims of genocide and torture.
During my stay in New York, I had bilateral meetings with heads of state and government and high-level representatives of five countries.
They are the President of Sri Lanka, the President of East Timor, the Prime Minister of Denmark and the Prime Minister of Cambodia.
Besides, United Nations Secretary-General, Director-General of the World Health Organization, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and co-chair of the Chatham House Commission on Universal Health Rt Hon Helen Clark, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Under Secretary-General Rabab Fatima and US Under Secretary of State Uzra Zeya paid courtesy calls on me.
I attended a dinner at the invitation of the US President Mr. Joe Biden. In this assembly, we engaged with several international and multilateral initiatives.
Bangladesh expressed its support to UN Secretary General's two initiatives "Adaptation Accelerator Pipeline" and "Early Warning for All".
We together with small island Pacific states gave consent in principle to join as one of the Champion countries of Coalition on Sea Level Rise and its Existential Treat (C-SET).
We have outlined our expectations over founding Loss and Damage Fund relating to climate change. Bangladesh formally joined "Coalition to address synthetic drug threats" formed under the initiative of the United States. We have joined the UN Secretary-General's call for funding at least $500 billion per year through SDG Stimulus Package.
We have agreed to engage more closely in various initiatives undertaken by the United Nations for Land Locked developing countries as per our multifaceted initiatives to enhance integration for the landlocked countries or regions in South Asia in the regional context.
During the visit, I signed United Nations 'High Sea Treaty' or Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Besides, three agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed between Bangladesh and Hungary and an agreement on visa exemption for foreign and official passport holders between Bangladesh and Kazakhstan.
As Bangladesh delegation members at the UN session, Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Honorable Advisor on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Honorable Ambassador-at-large, Honorable Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology, Honorable Members of Parliament and secretaries attended different important meetings and bilateral meetings.
Bangladesh's unprecedented socio-economic progress, generosity in providing shelter to the Rohingya population and our strong leadership on climate change issue gained high praises at this year's session.
I am hopeful that our active participation in those multifaceted forums will further widen the periphery of international cooperation on the issues of Bangladesh's interests as it has further strengthened our position at the forums.
Overall, I think Bangladesh's participation in this session is very successful.
Washington Visit
I left for Washington from New York on September 23 and stayed there till September 29, 2023.
US President's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan paid a courtesy call on me during his visit to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington on September 27. In the meeting, we agreed to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries.
We discussed the required financial and technical assistance to face the risks of climate change. I called on the United States to take a strong role in financing the Green Climate Fund and making the "Loss and Damage" fund as an effective one.
Jake Sullivan praised the achievements of our government in areas like women education, women empowerment, socio-economic development and counter-terrorism. He once again thanked Bangladesh for providing shelter to the Rohingyas.
The upcoming national election was also discussed. I reiterated my government's commitment to holding a free and fair election.
On that day, Voice of America interviewed me. On the same day, I attended a civic reception organized by expatriate Bangladeshis living in Washington, Virginia and Maryland.
London Visit
On September 30, I went to London. I stayed there till October 3.
On October 2, Lord Ahmed, UK Minister of State for Middle East, North America, South Asia and United Nations, paid a courtesy call on met.
He lauded my government for the huge changes in the education sector of Bangladesh, especially for the promotion of women's education. He emphasized more trade, investment and Aviation Partnership between the two countries.
I thanked the UK for increasing trade between the two countries and expanding UK investment in Bangladesh and for the UK's strong stance at the UN and the Commonwealth to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
In addition, we agreed on the need for continued democracy and stability in Bangladesh for the sake of regional development.
On the same day, a six-member delegation led by UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh, UK Shadow Minister for Investment and Small Business and UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Rushanara Ali paid a courtesy call on me.
Foysol Choudhury, convener of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh Affairs of Scottish Parliament, also joined as a member of the delegation.
In the meeting, discussions were held on the Rohingya issue, climate change, Global South, Ukraine-Russia war, sanction-counter sanction, upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, Bangladesh-UK Aviation Partnership and systematic migration.
On the same day, Lord Jitesh Gadhia, British Asian Trust chairman and vice-chair of the UK Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Indo-Pacific Affairs, and Parliament's Conservative Friends of India-patron Lord Rami Ranger paid separate courtesy calls on me.
Hinduja Group (Europe) Chairman Mr. Prakash Hinduja led by top leaders of Hinduja Group paid a courtesy call on me.
Hinduja Group expressed interest in expanding its business in Bangladesh's transport, renewable energy, information technology and FinTech sectors.
I welcomed their interest and urged Hinduja Group to manufacture automobiles in Bangladesh.
In addition, on the same day, Sherry Blair, Omnia Strategy LLP's co-founder and chair and Chancellor of Asian University for Women and Bangladesh counsel on Climate Change in ITLOS and ICJ Professor Payam Akhavan paid courtesy call on me separately.
In the afternoon on October 2, I attended a civic reception hosted by the UK expatriates.
My written statement ends here. Thank you all.
Khuda Haafiz.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu
May Bangladesh Live Forever.
