Foreign-Affairs
COP26 President-Designate Sharma due Wednesday to discuss climate issues
COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma arrives here on Wednesday morning to discuss shared priorities with Bangladesh which remains a "crucial" partner on the road to COP26.
He will meet Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday and attend a joint briefing at 3pm, a senior official told UNB on Tuesday.
Read:BUILD Chairperson meets new FBCCI president
Alok Sharma is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to discuss climate issues during his two-day visit.
His plan is to strengthen support for UK COP26 climate priorities ahead of hosting the crucial UN climate change summit in Glasgow this November.
He will discuss the needs of countries most vulnerable to climate change, to ensure they are equipped to deal with its current and damaging effects ahead of COP26.
Read:Bloomberg writer pours his heart out while praising Bangladesh’s progress
Preventing deforestation whilst ensuring development and trade is sustainable will also be high on the agenda, as COP26 looks to highlight the protection of nature and biodiversity as a key tool in limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.
With less than six months to go before COP26, he will meet leaders from government, business and civil society to press his personal priority for a move to global clean power, critical to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.
Bloomberg writer pours his heart out while praising Bangladesh’s progress
Bangladesh is destined to be South Asia’s standout success and countries like India and Pakistan have much to learn from Bangladesh, says a Bloomberg article.
"Today, the country’s 160 million-plus people, packed into a fertile delta that’s more densely populated than the Vatican City, seem destined to be South Asia’s standout success," writes Mihir Swarup Sharma, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist.
Sharma, also a senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi and head of its Economy and Growth Programme, mentioned that the past 50 years have shown how unwise it is to bet against Bangladesh.
"In 1971, success seemed well beyond a long shot," reads the article titled "South Asia Should Pay Attention to Its Standout Star."
Read:BUILD Chairperson meets new FBCCI president
Once again, Bangladesh should benchmark itself against Vietnam, which is not only part of the China-centric Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the successor to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but also signed an FTA with the European Union in 2019, reads the article.
"Transforming the terms of Bangladesh’s trade won’t be easy, which is why the effort needs to start now. Dhaka will have to beef up its negotiating capacity in particular: It doesn’t even have a dedicated set of trade negotiators in its commerce ministry."
Half a century ago, in March 1971, Bangladesh’s founders declared their independence from richer and more powerful Pakistan, the article reads.
The country was born amid famine and war; millions fled to India or were killed by Pakistani soldiers.
To the Pakistani military’s American backers, the new country seemed destined to fail: Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of State, famously called it a “basketcase.” George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organized the first-ever super-benefit to raise money for UNICEF relief work in the struggling country.
This month, Bangladesh’s Cabinet Secretary told reporters that GDP per capita had grown by 9% over the past year, rising to $2,227.
Pakistan’s per capita income, meanwhile, is $1,543. In 1971, Pakistan was 70% richer than Bangladesh; today, Bangladesh is 45% richer than Pakistan.
One Pakistani economist glumly pointed out that “it is in the realm of possibility that we could be seeking aid from Bangladesh in 2030.”
Read:COP26 President-Designate Sharma due Wednesday to discuss climate issues
India — eternally confident about being the only South Asian economy that matters — now must grapple with the fact that it, too, is poorer than Bangladesh in per capita terms. India’s per capita income in 2020-21 was a mere $1,947.
In reality, the article reads, Bangladesh is far richer than the depressed Indian states where Hindu nationalist politicians have been railing against Bangladeshi “termites.” It’s as if Mississippi were fretting about illegal immigration from Canada.
Bangladesh’s growth rests on three pillars: exports, social progress and fiscal prudence. Between 2011 and 2019, Bangladesh’s exports grew at 8.6% every year, compared to the world average of 0.4%.
The success is largely due to the country’s relentless focus on products, such as apparel, in which it possesses a comparative advantage.
Meanwhile, the share of Bangladeshi women in the labor force has consistently grown, unlike in India and Pakistan, where it has decreased.
And Bangladesh has maintained a public debt-to-GDP ratio between 30% and 40%. India and Pakistan will both emerge from the pandemic with public debt close to 90% of GDP. Fiscal restraint has allowed Bangladesh’s private sector to borrow and invest.
Bangladesh’s success brings its own set of problems, reads the article.
For one, its exports benefit from the country’s participation in various mechanisms that allow tariff-free access to developed economies, such as the U.S.’s Generalized System of Preferences.
Read:UNHCR seeks adequate medical assistance for Rohingyas affected in Bhasan Char
These groupings are only open to the world’s least developed countries. Thanks to its growth, Bangladesh will likely have to give up these privileges by 2026 or so.
As its economy matures, its comparative advantages will also change. Like Vietnam and others, it will then have to shift emphasis away from garments to higher-value exports. The transition will test Bangladesh as it has those other nations.
The government needs a strategy for the next decade that focuses on new forms of global integration and on a continued transformation of the economy, the article reads.
The smartest thing to do would be to retain access to the developed world’s markets by signing free-trade agreements. Work has started on an FTA with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to Bangladeshi officials, but there’s a lot more to be done.
Fully cooperating with ICJ to “ensure justice” for Rohingyas: NUG
Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) has said they are fully cooperating with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “make sure that justice is delivered to Rohingya brothers and sisters” and to all from every ethnicity who have suffered so much for so long under the brutal military generals’ reign of terror in Myanmar.
“Together, we’ll end this reign of terror once and for all. Justice will prevail,” said Dr Sasa, Union Minister of International Cooperation and Spokesperson of Myanmar's shadow government in a post shared on his verified Facebook page.
Also read: UNHCR seeks adequate medical assistance for Rohingyas affected in Bhasan Char
Dr Sasa also shared an official statement that reads, "The National Unity Government is taking every step to cooperate with the International Court of Justice, the world's highest court…to ensure that we comply with Myanmar's international legal obligations.”
The NUG said they are concerned about the difficult situation of the Rohingyas, especially those who fled to Bangladesh in 2016-17.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas both in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char.
Also read: General Assembly has not forgotten Rohingya people: Bozkir
Earlier, The Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), filed a genocide case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague.
The NUG statement says it is among its duties, as lawful government of Myanmar, to ensure the continuity of representation before the ICJ, and to be mindful of the timetable established by the Court.
Also read: Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President
It said the NUG is also actively considering accepting the exercise of jurisdiction by the ICJ over the killings, torture and other crimes against the civilians that have occurred since the "attempted" coup on February 1.
The NUG reaffirmed that it will continue to work closely with the Court and all relevant stakeholders for benefits of the country and all people in Myanmar, the statement adds.
UNHCR seeks adequate medical assistance for Rohingyas affected in Bhasan Char
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, on Monday said the safety and wellbeing of Rohingyas are their main priority.
The UN agency noted they will continue to urgently seek additional information on the condition of those affected, and urged that they receive adequate medical assistance.
UNHCR said they are “deeply concerned” to learn of reports on Rohingyas who were injured during today’s events at Bhasan Char.
“We regret that those affected reportedly include children and women,” Louise Donovan, a spokesperson at the UNHCR, Cox’s Bazar, said in a statement.
Rohingays in Bhasan Char went unruly when two senior UN officials - Gillian Triggs, the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, were visiting it.
READ: UNHCR's joint response plan to be launched Tuesday
During today’s visit, the UNHCR delegation was able to meet with a large group of refugees and listen to the various issues that they raised, which the delegation will further discuss with the Bangladesh authorities, said the UNHCR spokesperson.
The delegation now arrived in Cox’s Bazar and is scheduled to visit Rohingya camps there on Tuesday before returning to Dhaka to meet senior government officials.
The two UNHCR officials arrived here on Sunday on a four-day visit to see the Rohingya situation both in Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps and Bhasan Char.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar district and Bhasan Char and Bangladesh is expecting UN agencies engagement in Bhasan Char within the next couple of months to provide humanitarian services there.
The government has a plan to shift 100,000 Rohingyas in Bhasan Char gradually while around 20,000 are already shifted there.
During his recent visit, United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir highly appreciated Bangladesh's efforts for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char, saying it will be another example to the world on how to deal with the refugee issues.
“I really applaud the work done there – the quality of buildings and also taking all the precautions. I think this will be another example to the world on how to deal with refugee issues,” he said.
Bozkir hoped that this would work well for the Rohingya people, giving them a better condition in Bhashan Char.
The UNGA President said he could not visit Bhasan Char but he saw a video on it and acknowledged the high-level of works there, including precautions and safety measures.
Bozkir appreciated Bangladesh’s role in the peacekeeping operations and sacrifices of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for the peace and security of the world.
READ: UNHCR calls for strong global support for Rohingyas
The UNGA President said he has admiration for Prime Minister Hasina for her political and humanitarian thinking and saluted the hospitality and courage that Bangladesh has shown to the Rohingya people.
UN Women’s 2021 WEPs Awards competition opens
UN Women on Monday began accepting nominations for its annual Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards, which award Asia-Pacific business action and leaders that champion gender equality.
The awards are organised by WeEmpowerAsia, a UN Women programme funded by the European Union that promotes women’s participation and leadership in the workplace, marketplace and community.
Nominees will compete in six categories: Leadership Commitment; Gender-inclusive Workplace; Gender-responsive Marketplace; Community Engagement and Partnerships; Transparency and Reporting; and Youth Leadership for Generation Equality.
The latter three categories are new to this year’s awards. Also new are three Champion titles for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
National WEPs Awards ceremonies will be hosted by WeEmpowerAsia in October in its seven programme countries: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
All nominees will be eligible for the regional awards to be announced on 18 November 2021.
Nominations for the 2021 WEPs Awards are being accepted until Bangkok midnight (GMT+7) on 31 July 2021.
READ: Facebook, UN Women partner to train community orgs on online safety in Bangladesh
“We are proud to recognize businesses that are persevering through the unprecedented upheaval of COVID-19 and leading us to a more gender-inclusive economic recovery,” said Mohammad Naciri, Regional Director for UN Women Asia-Pacific.
This year, Investing in Women (IW), an initiative of the Australian Government, is supporting the awards together with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women’s Empowerment (PBCWE) and Indonesia Business Coalition for Women’s Empowerment (IBCWE).
“Investing in Women are delighted to partner with UN Women for the 2021 WEPs Awards and awarding the Gender-inclusive Workplace category this year, as we know improving performance in gender equality is linked with positive business outcomes,” said Dr. Julia Newton-Howes, CEO of IW.
“Recognising the work some companies are doing towards workplace gender equality will demonstrate the benefits this brings such as better risk management, greater innovation and increased profitability.”
Diverse Participation
WeEmpowerAsia received more than 400 nominations from 17 countries for the inaugural WEPs Awards in 2020. The 111 winners included SMEs, as well as large multinational companies and financial services organizations.
“Last year’s awards attracted some of Asia-Pacific’s highest achieving and most diverse companies, and we thank the European Union for helping us put a spotlight on those who are challenging the status quo and empowering women across wide reaching value chains between Asia and Europe,” said Katja Freiwald, Regional Programme Manager of WeEmpowerAsia.
READ: Women often assaulted online in Asia but find limited recourse: UN Women study
Katrina Chan, Executive Director of QBO Innovation Hub in the Philippines, which won in the Youth Leadership category last year, said: “The awards was an amazing opportunity for QBO, a young startup, to network with established organizations that share our vision. Attaining this recognition raises our profile around the efforts to ensure equal gender representation in tech becomes the norm.”
Doreen Shanaaz, Founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), Singapore, who won the Leadership Commitment category, explained why she applied for the awards: “There is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality, and we want to highlight the integral role of [gender-inclusive] finance and making financial systems work for the 99 percent.”
“We wanted to push ourselves to do more, and to inspire others to do the same. It makes business sense to empower women on all levels and on all fronts,” added Jonah De Lumen-Pernia, Director for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability of Coca-Cola Philippines, winner of the Community and Industry Engagement category.
June’s Covid vaccine quota to be 120 million after 79 million in May
Nearly 120 million vaccine doses will be available for the national Covid vaccination programme in June, the Union ministry of health and family welfare announced on Sunday even as both companies supplying the jabs are looking at ramping up their production capacity to 110-120 million doses from the existing 75-80 million.
At least 60 million (60,960,000) doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be supplied to the states and Union territories for vaccination of the priority groups of health care workers (HCWs), frontline workers (FLWs), and people aged 45 years and above as free supply from the central government channel. Apart from that, close to 59 million (58,610,000) vaccine doses will be available for direct procurement by the states and private hospitals, reports the Hindustan Times.
READ: India's COVID-19 tally crosses 28 million as daily cases fall
“In June 2021, close to 120 million (119,570,000) doses will be available for the national Covid-19 vaccination programme… Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of the government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with test, track, treat and Covid-appropriate behaviour. As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the government of India has been supporting the states and UTs by providing them Covid-19 vaccines free of cost,” the health ministry said in a statement.
The ministry, however, did not share a state-wise break-up of the number of vaccine doses allotted for the month of June. According to reports, Serum Institute of India’s chief executive officer, Adar Poonawalla, informed Union home minister Amit Shah that the company would be ramping up vaccine production in June by around 90-100 million doses.
SII locally produces the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield.
On April 16, the ministry of science and technology in a statement also announced that it would help double the production capacity of India’s first make-in-India Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, by May-June, 2021, from the existing 10 million doses per month. Bharat Biotech co-developed Covaxin with the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The allocation of supplies through the government of India channel to the states and Union territories is decided based on the consumption pattern, population, and vaccine wastage. The supply details are shared in advance for 15/30 days, to ensure better planning and delivery of vaccines.
“The supplies are being fast ramped up by the manufactures, so more vaccine doses will be available in weeks to come. The doses need to be effectively distributed also at the state level keeping the current supply scenario in mind. The priority has to be covering the country’s high-risk population -- health care, and frontline workers, and those above 45 years of age,” said a senior central government official, requesting anonymity.
From May 1 this year, 50% of the available doses are being earmarked for the states as free of cost supply from the government of India channel, while the remaining 50% is available for direct procurement from manufacturers by the states and private hospitals under the Centre’s “Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy” .
“Visibility for availability of vaccines for the entire month of June 2021 has been provided well in advance to States/UTs by Union Government as communicated to States and UTs vide letters of Union Health Ministry dated 17th May 2021, 27th May 2021 and 29th May 2021… States have been requested to direct the concerned officials to ensure rational and judicious utilization of allocated doses and minimize the vaccine wastage,” the health ministry statement said.
The delivery schedule for the current lot of supplies will also be shared with the states in advance. In May, a total of 79 million (79,405,200) doses were available for the national Covid vaccination programme, of which 40 million (40,349,830) doses were made available by the Centre to the states free of cost. In addition, 39 million (39,055,370) doses were also available for direct procurement by the states as well as private hospitals.
READ: India's COVID-19 tally rises to 27,369,093
Experts say vaccination needs to be scaled up.
“All vaccines are effective in reducing severity of the disease, and death; therefore, it is important to vaccinate people as fast as possible, especially the country’s vulnerable population,” said Dr GC Khilnani, former head of the pulmonology and sleep medicine department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.
Dhaka calls for global leaders’ concerted efforts in tackling climate change
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has called for collective efforts by the global leaders in tackling climate change and its adverse consequences.
He made the call while delivering a keynote speech virtually at the ‘P4G Thematic Breakout Session on Water’ on the sidelines of the P4G Seoul Summit- 2021.
Also Read: Calls for immediate action to tackle climate change
P4G -- Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 -- is a global initiative launched in 2017 to accelerate the response to climate change and the implementation of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
It is a multilateral platform that aspires to channel investments in impact to deliver inclusive and tangible solutions to Build Back Better and Greener to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
As an active partner of P4G, Bangladesh has already developed nodes of partnership in the five P4G focus areas, like “Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation & Health (FINISH) Mondial”, “Sustainable Future for Textile Factories”, “Clean Water for All’ etc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
State Minister Alam lauded the market-based solution orientation of the P4G platform in ensuring access to safe and clean water and sanitation in developing countries.
While presenting an overview of Bangladesh’s leadership role in spearheading innovative adaptive solutions to climate change induced challenges, Alam highlighted Bangladesh’s firm commitment as the current Chair of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) to break new grounds in garnering financing and international resolve to balance lives and livelihoods in all the vulnerable member states.
He underlined Bangladesh’s exemplary precedence of establishing a “Climate Change Trust Fund” and expenditure over US$ 415 million from its own resources to implement over 800 mitigation and adaptation programmes, despite being a LDC.
The State Minister lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership in fighting against climate change.
Alam mentioned that Bangladesh has been spending, on average, 2.5% of its national GDP for adaptation and resilience building measures through projects like the ‘Barind Multipurpose Development Project (BMDP)’.
He said Bangladesh has adopted a unique ‘Delta Plan-2100’ that aligns with the five P4G focus areas in cross-cutting ways and fortifies the country’s commitment to the global goals towards green development.
The inaugural P4G Summit convened on 19-20 October 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
FM mourns death of Ex. SAARC Secretary General Q.A.M.A Rahim
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday expressed deepest condolence and grief at the sad demise of Ambassador Q. A. M. A. Rahim, the seventh Secretary General of SAARC.
“Ambassador Rahim was a distinguished Bangladeshi diplomat and I remember his contribution to our beloved motherland and in improving the SAARC process as the Secretary General," Dr Momen said.
Read:2 senior UN officials in city; visit to Bhasan Char planned
The Foreign Minister extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed for salvation of the departed soul.
He also prayed to the Almighty to grant his family members courage to bear this irreparable loss.
Read:FAO lauds Hasina's leadership in attaining food security in Bangladesh
Q.A.M.A. Rahim, a Bangladeshi diplomat who served as the seventh secretary-general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation from January 11, 2002 to February 28, 2005, passed away on Monday.
Rahim breathed his last at 12:30pm on Monday. He was 80.
He left behind his wife, two sons, host of relatives and well wishers to mourn his death.
He was buried at Uttara, sector 12 after Namaj-e-Janaza (after Asr prayers)
More people return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight
Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has facilitated repatriation of a group of 61 Bangladeshi, Thai and other foreign nationals from Thailand to Bangladesh by a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.
Since outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the Embassy of Bangladesh, Bangkok has so far facilitated 14 special flights from Bangkok to Dhaka in coordination with the authorities concerned in Bangladesh and Thailand.
Read: 78 Bangladeshis, foreign nationals arrive from Thailand
Officers of the Embassy saw the passengers off at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and extended necessary consularand other assistance for their departure formalities.
The latest flight was arranged on self-payment basis in line with the Bangladesh Government’s commitment to extend all possible assistance and support for repatriation of stranded Bangladeshis abroad.
The Biman Bangladesh flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, said a media release on Sunday.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye thanked the Thai Government for extending their cooperation in repatriation of the stranded Bangladeshi nationals.
Read: Thailand axes travel corridors with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan
2 senior UN officials in city; visit to Bhasan Char planned
Two senior officials of UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, arrived here on Sunday on a four-day visit to see Rohingya situation both in Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps and Bhasan Char.
The UN officials are Gillian Triggs, the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, a crucial role for overseeing UNHCR’s responses to refugee situations worldwide.
They will hold meetings with the officials in Dhaka and are planning to visit Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, a senior official told UNB, adding that the programmes are yet to be finalised.
Read:Global initiative launched to build sport Club Centres in Rohingya camps; beyond
They are likely to go to Bhasan Char first, most probably on Monday, said the official.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar district and Bhasan Char and Bangladesh is expecting UN agencies engagement in Bhasan Char within next couple of months to provide humanitarian services there.
The government has a plan to shift 100000 Rohingyas in Bhasan Char gradually while around 20,000 are already shifted there.
Bhasan Char, a temporary shelter for Rohingyas until repatriation, remained unhurt with no casualty to personnel and livestock though cyclone Yaas caused damage to some extent in coastal areas.
Preparation to face challenges of Cyclone Yaas has become a proven guideline for facing future cyclones, says a senior official of the government adding that it brought confidence amongst all at Bhasan Char.
The Bhasan Char island also remained unaffected during cyclone Amphan though it caused damages in coastal districts of the country, he said.
During his recent visit, United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir highly appreciated Bangladesh's efforts for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char, saying it will be another example to the world on how to deal with the refugee issues.
“I really applaud the work done there – the quality of buildings and also taking all the precautions. I think this will be another example to the world on how to deal with refugee issues,” he said.
Bozkir hoped that this would work well for the Rohingya people, giving them a better condition in Bhashan Char.
Read: General Assembly has not forgotten Rohingya people: Bozkir
The UNGA President said he could not visit Bhasan Char but he saw a video on it and acknowledged the high-level of works there, including precautions and safety measures.
Bozkir appreciated Bangladesh’s role in the peacekeeping operations and sacrifices of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for the peace and security of the world.
The UNGA President said he has admiration for Prime Minister Hasina for her political and humanitarian thinking and saluted the hospitality and courage that Bangladesh has shown to the Rohingya people.