Bangladesh has called for universal and affordable access to Covid vaccines to ensure an equitable and sustainable global recovery from the ravages of the pandemic.

Echoing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent remarks at the UN General Assembly, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima said that "sharing the vaccine technology with the capable developing countries" for boosting jab production could ensure vaccine equity.

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Ambassador Fatima made the remarks while addressing the General Debate of the Second Committee of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the General Assembly Hall on Wednesday. 

The Second Committee adopted the theme, 'Crisis, Resilience and Recovery- Accelerating Progress towards the 2030 Agenda' for its debate this year against the backdrop of the double jeopardy of the pandemic and global climate change. 

The theme aims to promote bold and ambitious global roadmap for sustainable and resilient recovery from the pandemic and for the achievement of 2030 agenda in a timely manner. 

Mentioning the recent initiatives taken by the global community for tackling the challenges posed by climate change, Ambassador Fatima emphasised on building up on the momentum to achieve bold and ambitious outcomes during the upcoming Climate and Biodiversity COPs. 

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She said that as the President of the 48-member Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh is willing to cooperate for limiting global temperature rise, enhancing climate finance, facilitating technology transfer, and the up-scaling of the adaptation measures.

Underscoring the importance of external financing, she urged the development partners to play their part in revitalising export earnings, remittances, and private financing in the developing countries.

Highlighting the role of remittances, Ambassador Fatima urged everyone to integrate migrant workers in the job-rich recovery efforts.

Ambassador Fatima also highlighted the role of digital technologies in the areas of education, health, job creation and climate actions, and requested all stakeholders to work collectively for the eradication of the digital divide. 

Referring to the graduation process of Bangladesh, she called for bold and ambitious 'Programme of Action' for the LDCs and the newly graduated countries.

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Ambassador Fatima mentioned the important role women play in the socio-economic development in Bangladesh and emphasised that they must be placed at the front of Covid response and recovery efforts. 

The Second Committee of the General Assembly is mandated to address the global economic and financial issues through deliberation among the UN member states.