[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Your Excellency Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Distinguished guests,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is my honor to join you all today in commemorating the\u00a0 <\/span>51st<\/sup><\/span> anniversary of Bangladesh\u2019s Independence Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, is also a day for all of us to recognize the monumental contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation who truly envisioned a \u201cGolden Bangladesh\u201d for his people. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For all those amongst us today who have not had a chance of knowing Bangabandhu, my request to you would be to read up his speech of 7th<\/sup><\/span> March 1971, which today has been included in the Memory of the World International Register at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This stirring speech was the ultimate source of inspiration for the countless freedom fighters who joined the Mukti Bahini and continues to reverberate in the hearts and minds of the Bengali people all over the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/p>\n 21st February also known as Ekushey February, which in 1999 was designated by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ as the International Mother Language Day to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity would not have come about, but for the experiences that Bangabandhu went through 40-50 years before that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Obviously, Bangabandhu understood way before anyone the strategic implications of language, in terms of identity; for communication; for social integration; for development; and for education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bangabandhu\u2019s journey was an unwavering belief in democracy; a passion for social justice; an emphasis on cultural inclusivity and identity that led to the liberation of Bangladesh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now, these are all values that we at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ cherish and nourish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bangladesh is also an example of how a country should be approaching its development and growth, whether it is in terms of economic development, education, social indicators, technology, banking, rural development or women\u2019s empowerment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And perhaps this is the greatest tribute that the current government of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is paying to Bangabandhu by implementing his vision of what he wanted for the country.<\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since Bangladesh gained membership of the United Nations in 1974, it has been an active and responsible member of the international community, making considerable contributions to the maintenance of peace globally, and towards global solidarity. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, Bangladesh is a vibrant multi-party democracy,\u00a0 <\/span>with a rising economy.\u00a0 <\/span>By achieving sustained economic\u00a0 <\/span>growth for many years, it is now on track to graduate from LDC status in 2026 – despite the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The country continues to invest in its people and has demonstrated strong commitment to\u00a0 <\/span>women\u2019s empowerment. That commitment is further reflected by its choice of an accomplished female diplomat, my dear friend Rabab, to lead its mission to the United Nations. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Internationally, Bangladesh\u2019s engagements continue to be robust and have left a strong footprint at the United Nations. It has served twice on the Security Council, and assumed several elected positions in high offices. This includes the current positions of the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Presidency of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Women Executive Board.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I also acknowledge that one of my predecessors was a Bangladeshi national – Ambassador Humayun Rasheed Chodhury, who served as President of the\u00a0 <\/span>41st<\/sup><\/span> session of the General Assembly. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since 2001, Bangladesh has been sponsoring the GA Resolution on Culture of Peace and in partnership with the President of the General Assembly, organises\u00a0 <\/span>the annual flagship High-level Forum on this important issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the human rights front, Bangladesh is a leading voice on the rights of migrants and refugees, and currently hosts millions of persecuted Rohingyas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Bangladesh has been a longstanding advocate of climate action, continuing to emphasize the scale of the climate crisis, and its potential repercussions for humanity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This high level of international engagement stands testimony to Bangladesh\u2019s commitment to working alongside the global community to resolve our shared challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I commend Bangladesh on its past and ongoing multilateral initatives and advocacy. And I congratulate Bangladesh on all that it has achieved domestically in terms of securing a safer and more prosperous future for its people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On this felicitous occasion, I express my hope that an even brighter destiny awaits Bangladesh. And I reaffirm my commitment to working with the country throughout my Presidency of Hope, to realize our common aspirations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ami agami dine Bangladesher R O unnoti kamona kori. \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n (I wish Bangladesh a more Propsperous Future)<\/i><\/p>\n Joy Bangla<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Your Excellency Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations,\u00a0 Excellencies,\u00a0 Distinguished guests,\u00a0 It is my honor to join you all today in commemorating the\u00a0 51st anniversary of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-262595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n