Foreign-Affairs
Climate action priority for UK, says acting British High Commissioner
Acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Javed Patel has said it is extremely important that young people are empowered to be key stakeholders in driving local, national, regional, and global change.
“Climate action is a priority for the UK and I am glad that we supported this year’s National Earth Olympiad, helping to establish the next generation of climate stewards in Bangladesh,” he said congratulating the students on their success.
Also read: $ 80 billion planned for investment by 2030 to achieve climate resilience
The acting high commissioner hosted a reception on Saturday to recognise the finalists of the Bangladesh National Earth Olympiad 2022.
Of the 35 participants selected for special awards, five will be going on to represent Bangladesh at the International Earth Science Olympiad which takes place from 24-30 August.
“I am inspired by the young people here today, and confident that their drive and commitment to combatting the climate crisis will help them to do just that,” Patel said.
Ambassador Fatima’s immense experience makes her a "powerful voice for vulnerable peoples"
The UN office in Bangladesh has said the vast experience of Ambassador Rabab Fatima, newly appointed UN Under-Secretary-General, has made her a powerful voice for the vulnerable peoples.“Her immense experience in leading highly climate-vulnerable countries, graduating LDCs makes her a powerful voice for vulnerable peoples. We look forward to working with her,” UN office in Bangladesh tweeted, congratulating Ambassador Fatima.Earlier on June 9, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).
Also read: Rabab Fatima appointed UN under-secretary generalThe German Mission to the UN also tweeted saying Ambassador Fatima will be a leading advocate for the interests and perspectives of 91 states in the UN.The high-level appointment of Ambassador Fatima at the UN is a testament to Bangladesh's deep and intense engagement in multilateral diplomacy and the recognition of true professionalism of Bangladeshi diplomats, Bangladesh says.For the first time, a female diplomat from the Bangladesh Foreign Service has been appointed as an UN Under-Secretary-General.
Also read: Rabab Fatima elected UN Women Executive Board PresidentWith this appointment, Rabab Fatima becomes the highest ranking official among the Bangladesh nationals currently working in the UN system.
UNRC lauds remarkable eagerness of children to learn
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis recently visited two Ability Based Accelerated Learning (ABAL) centers for 8-14 years old children to learn about the special education programmes which are being supported with funds and technical assistance by UNICEF.
While interacting with children in two learning centers Gwyn Lewis praised the remarkable eagerness of the children to learn, their optimism, and the dedication of the teaching staff.
“The children we met were a joy- so bright and engaging. I can see the incredible importance of your work you are doing. It is deeply impressive” she said to the staff and team at the learning centres.
Also read: Budget FY23: Women, children get higher allocation
The learning centers provide flexible learning opportunities for out of school children in the Kamrangirchar slum area, zone 3 of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), said the UNRC office on Saturday.
India-funded development projects inaugurated in Sylhet
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K. Doraiswami visited Sylhet city on Saturday and joined inauguration of three projects.
The projects are development of Dhupadighipar area, construction of Cleaners Colony building at Kastoghar and construction of a School building at Chara Dighi Par.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md. Tazul Islam and Mayor of the Sylhet City Corporation Ariful Haque Chowdhury, jointly inaugurated the projects.
People should be free in every country to promote HR without fear of retaliation: US Embassy
Reiterating that no democracy is perfect, the United States has said the rule of law, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press are cornerstones of a healthy democracy and the right of all.
People should be free in every country to promote human rights without fear of retaliation, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday in a media note.
Whether heading to the polls to vote, exposing corruption, documenting human rights abuses, or peacefully rallying around a common cause, people and non-governmental organizations everywhere bring to life and defend the basic tenets of democracy every day, reads the media note.
It is this conviction about the critical role of citizens and a pluralistic civil society that is the impetus behind the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, said the Embassy.
READ: US Embassy announces resumption of Fulbright Program
Adopted by consensus of the General Assembly in 1998, the Declaration states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels.”
As US President Joe Biden has stated, “No democracy is perfect, and no democracy is ever final. Every gain made, every barrier broken, is the result of determined, unceasing work.”
Emergency response: Beijing keen to strengthen cooperation with Dhaka
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said his country is willing to work with Bangladesh to strengthen cooperation in emergency response to safeguard the safety and well-being of people.
In a recent condolence message sent to his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen, Wang said he was shocked to learn about the fire accident at a container depot in Chattogram and deeply saddened by the passing of the victims.
Read: UN voices concern over action against Odhikar
He extended his sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured, and offered to provide the necessary assistance to Bangladesh according to needs, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Friday.
Stronger JICA cooperation sought for Bangladesh's development
While looking back on the cooperation with JICA so far, speakers at a seminar in Tokyo on Friday explored ways to further strengthen the partnership with Bangladesh in the future.
They said reaching 50th year of JICA’s cooperation with Bangladesh is a significant milestone.
The seminar was organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh, Tokyo at the Bangabandhu conference hall in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The title of the seminar was ‘JICA with Bangladesh: Reaching 50th Year and Way Forward’.
Also read:Japanese Ambassador visits Bandarban to see development project
UN voices concern over action against Odhikar
The UN human rights body has called on the government of Bangladesh to foster an enabling environment for civil society to undertake their work without fear of reprisals, particularly in the lead up to the next elections.
"Civil society actors must not be deterred from cooperating with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms," said spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani on Friday in Geneva, noting that Bangladesh has the tradition of a strong and diverse civil society.
Also read:UN elects new council members including Japan, Switzerland
Restrictions to the right of freedom of association which do not respect the principles of necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination contravene international law, she said.
Shamdasani said they are "concerned" by the government of Bangladesh’s decision not to approve the renewal of registration for Odhikar.
Bangladesh authorities, however, see Odhikar as a "controversial" human rights organisation in the country which was criticized for spreading misinformation.
There are allegations against Odhikar for “spreading propaganda” and “publishing misleading information” on rights issues, they say.
Also read:Rabab Fatima appointed UN under-secretary general
Shamdasani said, "We urge the government to immediately reconsider this decision, and to ensure that Odhikar has the ability to seek full judicial review of any such determination."
She said they are further concerned that this decision will have a "chilling effect" on the ability of civil society organisations to report serious human rights violations to UN human rights mechanisms.
Odhikar’s application for renewal of its registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau has been pending since 2014.
In 2014, Odhikar’s bank account was also frozen.
Civil society organizations strengthen democracy, the US Embassy in Dhaka tweeted.
OHCHR states everyone has the right to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, said the US Embassy.
"People should be free to promote human rights freely and without fear of retaliation."
Bangladesh Embassy in Turkey launches 'First Economic Diplomacy Symposium'
The Bangladesh Embassy in Turkey has launched the three-day "First Economic Diplomacy Symposium" at the Bijoy 71 Auditorium of the chancery complex.
Earlier, Bangladesh Ambassador Mosud Mannan inaugurated a photography exhibition on Bangladesh's development activities, highlighting the mega projects at the Bijoy 71 Foyer.
During the inauguration, D-8 Secretary-General Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam and members of the Bangladesh community were present.
At the beginning of the symposium, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Shahnaz Gazi welcomed the guests.
Ambassador Mosud Mannan gave his welcome speech and expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries for their participation.
"Economic diplomacy is functional at four levels – bilateral, regional, multilateral and cultural. Bilateral economic diplomacy plays a major role in economic relations. It includes bilateral trade and treaty, agreements on investment, employment or avoidance of double taxation, and a range of formal and informal economic issues between two countries," he said.
"Bilateral free trade agreements have been the order of the day, being implemented by many countries around the world. The main task of economic diplomacy is to achieve optimum benefits, from the viewpoint of serving national interests, focusing on a country's economic potential and geo-economic position. To ensure maximum outcomes cultural diplomacy can be applied to attract foreign countries and their people to the products of Bangladesh."
Isiaka Abdulqadir and President of OSTIM Orhan Aydin delivered their addresses welcoming this new initiative of the Bangladesh embassy followed by the keynote speaker Güven Sak, managing director of TEPAV.
After that, Ankara University Assistant Professor Moynul Ahsan discussed the importance of modern land management for the development of Bangladesh.
Zobayer Ahmed, a researcher at Selçuk University, discussed the role of the banking sector in the development of the national economy of Bangladesh.
Shahnaz Gazi spoke about climate change in Bangladesh.
President of Ankara Pharmacist's Association Taner Ercanli talked about the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh.
Sakarya University Professor Muhammad Salah Uddin discussed the sustainable development of Bangladesh.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Turkey Representative Nuran Torun Atiş spoke about human skill development.
Rabab Fatima appointed UN under-secretary general
Rabab Fatima appointed UN under-secretary general
Dhaka, June 10 (UNB)-United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres Thursday appointed Bangladesh's Rabab Fatima as high representative for the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states (UNOHRLLS).
Through the appointment of Ambassador Fatima, a female diplomat from the Bangladesh Foreign Service, for the first time, has been appointed as UN under-secretary-general.
She will be the highest ranking person in the UN system as a Bangladeshi citizen.
Ambassador Fatima replaces Courtenay Rattray of Jamaica who was appointed as chef de cabinet, according to the UN.
The secretary-general extended his appreciation and gratitude to Heidi Schroderus-Fox of Finland, who is the deputy to the high representative and director of UNOHRLLS, for her dedication and commitment as acting high representative.
Ambassador Fatima's appointment is a reflection of Bangladesh's close participation in the international arena and the acceptance of Bangladeshi professional diplomats, said the Bangladesh Mission in the UN.
About her appointment, she said, "I am grateful to the prime minister. She gave me this opportunity. She appointed me as the permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations with confidence and trust in me."
"I am grateful to the UN secretary-general. I would like to reflect on the deep trust and confidence that the UN secretary-general has placed in me by appointing me as the high representative of the least developed countries, developing countries and developing small island states," she added.
Ambassador Fatima brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in national and international civil service, encompassing bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, policymaking, advocacy, programme planning and implementation.
She is the current ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York.
Earlier, Fatima was the ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan (2016-2019), director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2015-2016), regional representative for South Asia (2007-2011) and regional adviser for South and Southwest Asia and regional adviser for climate change and migration (2012-2015) of the International Organization for Migration, Geneva, and head of human rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London (2006-2007).
She joined diplomatic service in 1989 and served in various capacities in MoFA and Bangladesh Missions in New York, Kolkata, Geneva and Beijing.
Fatima holds a masters degree in international relations and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, and a bachelors degree in social science from the University of Canberra, Australia.