Foreign-Affairs
Bhutan thanks Bangladesh's Fair Group for training its youths
Bhutan has thanked Bangladesh's Fair Group for providing hands-on training to its youths through an internship programme.
Bhutanese Ambassador Rinchen Kuentsyl hoped that these youths would return home and contribute to Bhutan's socio-economic development.
Fair Group organised a month-long special internship programme for the Bhutanese youths in smartphones, consumer electronics products and automobile maintenance and servicing in response to a request from the country.
Ambassador Rinchen and Fair Group Chair Ruhul Alam AL Mahbub handed over internship certificates to eight Bhutanese youths in Dhaka Sunday.
Read: Padma Bridge connecting Bangladesh’s past with bright future: German envoy
The envoy said Bangladesh's role in the socio-economic development of Bhutan is immense.
Ruhul Alam assured him of continued cooperation in the development of human resources in Bhutan. "Skilled trainers will be sent from Fair Group if necessary to enhance the skills of the trainers in Bhutan."
Fair Group is producing South Korea's Samsung smartphones and consumer electronics products at its factories in Shibpur, Narsingdi and marketing them all over Bangladesh.
The work of setting up a Fair Technology Factory at Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park in Kaliakair, Gazipur is now nearing completion, where the group will assemble South Korea's Hyundai SUVs and sedans.
Padma Bridge connecting Bangladesh’s past with bright future: German envoy
German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster has said the Padma Bridge is a symbol for connecting Bangladesh’s past with a bright future, noting that it is not just connecting two riversides.
"It will immensely contribute to trade, tourism, investment and regional connectivity. Bangladesh has every reason to be proud of that hugely impressive bridge," he said on Sunday.
The German envoy who joined the celebrations on Saturday said this 6.15km bridge will not only support an area that has been poorly served by the road network, it will also accelerate socio-economic development of millions of people in the Southwestern part of the country.
He congratulated the people of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for making the long cherished Padma Bridge a reality.
Read: Dhaka seeks enhanced role of UN development system
"This is really a milestone in the history of Bangladesh’s remarkable development," said the envoy.
This huge and beautiful bridge is a technical masterpiece and gives evidence to the whole world of what Bangladesh is capable of achieving, he said.
The ambassador said it is now visible for everybody that Bangladesh has definitely left behind the status of a Least Developed Country.
"Personally, I am very delighted to be a part of this historic inauguration," he mentioned.
The envoy said bridges are important elements for connection, cooperation and growth. "Padma Bridge is a vital project in the national road network of Bangladesh."
Aga Khan Music Awards announces seven-member Master Jury 2022
The Aga Khan Music Awards has announced the seven members of the Master Jury for 2020-2022.
The Jury is composed of eminent performing artists, music creators and cultural leaders from seven countries across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and North America.
It is scheduled to meet in Lisbon in early July to select winners and finalists from a field of several hundred candidates put forward by a worldwide group of nominators and subsequently vetted by the Music Awards secretariat.
The Jury members are Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, director-general of the Culture and Arts Directorate, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities; Frangiz Ali-Zadeh, composer and pianist who creates music inspired by the traditions of Azerbaijani mugham and Sufi poetry; and Divya Bhatia, artistic director and producer, Rajasthan International Folk Festival.
Rachel Cooper, director of Global Performing Arts and Culture as Diplomacy Initiatives, Asia Society; Akram Khan, dancer, choreographer and artistic director, Akram Khan Company; Yurdal Tokcan, oud and guitar player, composer and ensemble leader; and Dhafer Youssef, oud player, vocalist and composer known for his genre-crossing work with jazz and pop musicians, are also part of it.
The Awards, which come with $500,000 in prizes, recognise and further develop exceptional creativity, promise and enterprise in music performance, creation, education, preservation and revitalisation in societies across the world in which Muslims have a significant presence.
Dhaka seeks enhanced role of UN development system
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has underscored the continued, coordinated and enhanced role of the UN Development System (UNDS) in the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh.
The Foreign Secretary also elaborated on efforts of Bangladesh to comprehensively resolve the Rohingya crisis through repatriation and requested international community’s sustained support in this regard.
He hosted a working lunch on Sunday in honor of the visiting delegation of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS led by Yoka Brandt, President of the Executive Board, Ambassador, and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations.
Read: Dhaka seeks greater trade, investment with visa-free Commonwealth regime
Visiting board members - Permanent Representatives of Sweden, Bulgaria, Guatemala, Deputy Permanent Representative of Kenya, representatives from UN Secretariat, and representatives from UN agencies in Bangladesh also attended the working lunch.
The President and members of the Executive Board highly appreciated the development and growth of Bangladesh.
The visit of the Executive Board will continue till June 30, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Do more to support micro, small, medium-sized enterprises: UN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all to do more to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in building resilience to external shocks and pursuing sustainable business models.
“Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises represent around 90 per cent of global businesses, more than 60 percent of employment and half of GDP worldwide. They are the economic lifeblood of communities around the world,” he said.
Read: Global hunger crisis pushes one child per minute into severe malnutrition: UNICEF
In a message marking the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day that falls on June 27, the UN chief said these enterprises have also been disproportionately impacted by a host of challenges that are disrupting economies -- from climate catastrophe to COVID-19 to the global fallout from the war in Ukraine.
The theme of this year’s Day, “Resilience and Rebuilding”, highlights the vital role of micro-, small and medium sized enterprises for a fair and sustainable recovery.
Read:Internet shutdowns hurt human rights, economy, daily life: UN
Strengthening small businesses helps fight poverty, create jobs and safeguard livelihoods, particularly for the working poor, women and youth, said Guterres.
“On this International Day of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, let us renew our commitment to leverage their full potential, rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more prosperous and just world for all,” he said.
More countries, diplomats greet Bangladesh on completion of Padma Bridge
Bangladesh’s foreign friends continue to congratulate Bangladesh on the completion of the Padma Bridge and appreciate its determination and courage under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the inauguration of Padma Multipurpose Bridge will unleash new opportunities for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh and enhance connectivity in the region.
“Completion of this new mega project reflects the enormous confidence that Bangladesh has achieved under your leadership,” he said in a message to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina who inaugurated the bridge on Saturday.
Read:Padma Bridge opens to traffic; Hundreds of vehicles seen at Mawa, Jajira ends
The Nepalese Prime Minister said the bridge connects southwestern districts of Bangladesh through roads and railways with the capital and other areas of the country.
He extended his heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Hasina, her government and the people of Bangladesh on the completion of the Padma bridge project.
The Prime Minister became the first person to cross the Padma Bridge by paying toll.
The President of the Maldives, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and President of Sri Lanka have congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the inauguration of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Saturday.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the successful completion of the bridge is a testament of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership, dedication and commitment to the development of Bangladesh.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said the iconic road-rail structure will go a long way in intensifying economic activities of Bangladesh and beyond.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the bridge will positively contribute to the connectivity and inclusivity of Bangladesh enhancing its economic and industrial progress.
The Padma Bridge has connected around one-third of Bangladesh's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital.
The United Nations also congratulated the people and the government of Bangladesh. “It has a huge potential to enhance connectivity and economic transformation for Bangladesh.”
Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said the Padma Bridge will connect people, boost trade and make life easier in Bangladesh.
“Just like individuals, nations also have dreams. Today all Bangladeshis’ dream to cross the mighty Padma River over a bridge has come true,” he said after attending the formal inaugural ceremony of the Padma Bridge.
The ambassador said Bangladesh financed this mega project from its own resources is another reason to be proud of this achievement on the way to sustainable development.
Read: Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka congratulate Bangladesh on Padma Bridge inauguration
“If you have never been in Bangladesh, the biggest delta in the world where rivers are abundant and cut this beautiful green land into pieces, it is hard to imagine how a bridge could be such a powerful dream,” said the Turkish envoy.
Singapore Consulate in Bangladesh has said the Padma Bridge is an iconic symbol of Bangladesh’s transformation heralding a new era in regional connectivity.
The Consulate congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh on the inauguration of the Padma Bridge and described the bridge as a pride of Bangladesh.
“What an honour to witness this historic milestone!” Singapore Consulate in Bangladesh tweeted after attending the opening ceremony of the Padma Bridge.
Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen said this is an “incredible” milestone for the growth, development and connectivity of the country. “Congratulations to the people and the government of Bangladesh.”
Norwegian Ambassador to Bnagladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen said the dream of millions has been fulfilled and this “incredible achievement” will open a new chapter of growth, connectivity and development of the country.
Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alex Berg von Linde termed it a “great achievement” that will open a new chapter of growth, connectivity and development of the country.
Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka congratulate Bangladesh on Padma Bridge inauguration
The president of the Maldives, prime minister of Bhutan, and president of Sri Lanka have congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the inauguration of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Saturday.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said successful completion of the bridge is a testament of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership, dedication and commitment to the development of Bangladesh.
Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said the iconic road-rail structure will go a long way in intensifying economic activities of Bangladesh and beyond.
Read: World Bank happy, congratulates Bangladesh on Padma Bridge
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the bridge will positively contribute to the connectivity and inclusivity of Bangladesh enhancing its economic and industrial progress.
The Padma Bridge has connected around one-third of Bangladesh's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital.
Overturning of Roe v Wade abortion law huge blow to women's rights: Bachelet
Friday's decision by the US Supreme Court to strip the nation's constitutional protections for abortion, overturning the 50-year-old Roe v Wade judgment, is a huge blow to women's human rights and gender equality, the UN human rights chief has said.
The decision was made in the specific case of Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health, and Michelle Bachelet said it represents a "major setback" for sexual and reproductive health across the US.
The historic decision returns all questions of legality and access to abortion to the individual states.
Earlier the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that 45 percent of all abortions around the world are unsafe, making the procedure a leading cause of maternal death.
The agencies said it was inevitable that more women will die, as restrictions by national or regional governments increase.
"Whether abortion is legal or not, it happens all too often. Data show that restricting access to abortion does not prevent people from seeking an abortion, it simply makes it more deadly," the UNFPA said.
According to the agencies' "State of World Population Report 2022," nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, and over 60 percent of these may end in abortion.
Read: Myanmar’s people deserve return to democracy ending systemic discrimination: Bachelet
The UNFPA said it feared that more unsafe abortions will occur around the world if access becomes more restricted.
Bachelet said access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human rights law and is at the core of women and girls' autonomy, and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence and coercion.
This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the US, in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights, she added.
The rights chief highlighted that the decision came after more than 50 countries with previously restrictive laws have liberalised their abortion legislation over the past 25 years.
With the ruling, the US is regrettably moving away from this progressive trend, she said.
Meanwhile, the UN agency, UN Women, said the ability of women to control what happens to their own bodies, is also associated with the roles women are able to play in society, whether as a member of the family, the workforce, or government.
Read: States need to invest in HR to achieve peace, security, dev: Bachelet
The 1994 Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, signed by 179 countries including the US, recognised how deadly unsafe abortions are and urged all countries to provide post-abortion care to save lives, irrespective of the legal status of abortion.
The document – resulting from a high-level meeting in Cairo, Egypt – also highlighted that all people should be able to access quality information about their reproductive health and contraceptives.
Inauguration of Padma Bridge celebrated at Bangladesh HC in New Delhi
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has celebrated the inauguration of the much-awaited Padma Bridge with much fanfare.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran started off the celebration at 9:00am by placing a wreath at the effigy of Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inside the High Commission premises.
Read: Opening of Padma Bridge celebrated in Washington DC
A discussion was held by the High Commission to commemorate the event where messages from President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read.
In his speech, Imran said that the construction of Padma Bridge has taken Bangladesh closer to becoming 'Sonar Bangla’ envisaged by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The Padma Bridge is a symbol of self-respect, courage, aim and ability of Bangladesh. The bridge also portrays the firm leadership capability of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” said Imran.
Later, the High Commission staff joined the inauguration ceremony of Padma Bridge virtually and took part in the special prayer.
World Bank happy, congratulates Bangladesh on Padma Bridge
World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Mercy Tembon has said the global development lender is happy at the completion of the Padma Bridge noting that it will bring a lot of benefits to Bangladesh and its people.
“The World Bank is happy that the bridge has been completed and we congratulate Bangladesh for completing the bridge,” she said when her comments were sought during the opening ceremony of the bridge on Saturday.
Asked whether the Washington-based global lender regrets the past, Tembon said they are looking forward and they are looking into how this bridge is going to benefit the people of Bangladesh.
Read: Padma Bridge inauguration: Invitation card sent to World Bank
“The bridge has been completed and that is what is important. We are here to celebrate the completion of the bridge and I think the people of Bangladesh are very proud. Everybody is happy that the bridge is completed,” she said.
Tembon said the World Bank is the long-lasting development partner of Bangladesh and they recognize the economic and social benefits that the Padma Bridge is bringing to Bangladesh.
She said the bridge is going to create jobs, link people, reduce travel time and increase trade. “There are a lot of benefits that this bridge brings to Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh.
The World Bank country director said this bridge is going to help reduce poverty and will increase shared prosperity. “So, the World Bank recognizes all of these things and the World Bank is happy that the bridge has been completed.
She said the World Bank has been in Bangladesh since 1971. “We are the largest development partner in Bangladesh and we have supported Bangladesh all the way and since 2012, the World Bank has put US$ 22 billion in Bangladesh to help the government achive growth.”
Read: Padma Bridge: FM says WB must be apologetic
Tembon said Bangladesh is a very important partner for the World Bank and the World Bank is a very important partner for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh witnessed a historic moment on Saturday with the inauguration of Padma Bridge demonstrating to the world what this country can do on its own, proving the skeptics wrong amid the World Bank’s scrapping of committed loans.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who took up the challenge to go ahead with self-financing the bridge of national pride, formally opened the bridge, a milestone on the connectivity front, nationally and regionally.
On June 29, 2012, the World Bank posted a long statement on its website mentioning that it decided to cancel its $1.2 billion IDA credit in support of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project, effective immediately.