Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (March 22, 2023) stressed the need for preparing a roadmap aimed at making Bangladesh an aviation hub in the region. “Reaping on the dividend of our geo-strategic advantage, we should create a roadmap as to how we can make our country an aviation hub,” she said in a video statement aired in the inaugural session of the first edition of Aviation Summit in Dhaka. The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, in collaboration with the UK and France, organised the Bangladesh Aviation Summit-2023 at a city hotel here. Read more: Working to ensure houses for all homeless people: PM Hasina Hasina said this summit is very significant for Bangladesh in the context of the South Asian nation’s aspiration to become an aviation hub in the region. She said just after achieving the membership of ICAO in 1973, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undertook measures to turn Bangladesh into an ‘Aviation Hub’ to connect the East and the West, capitalizing the advantage of our geographical location. After the assassination of the Father of the Nation in 1975, the move came to a halt, she added. “We have undertaken several measures to support the development of an aviation hub. During the last one decade, we implemented a host of projects to upgrade our airports, airport security and ground handling,” said the prime minister. Read More: Bangladesh Monitor holds seminar to promote smart aviation Besides, a number of projects are running which include HSIA Expansion Project (Phase-I), Construction of General Aviation Hangar, Hangar Apron and Apron at North side of Fire Station at HSIA; Strengthening of Existing Runway and Taxiway at Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram; Development of Cox’s Bazar Airport (Phase-I), Cox’s Bazar Airport Runway Extension Project; Strengthening of Existing Runway and Taxiway at Osmani International Airport, Sylhet; and Enhancement of Capacity of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh on Public Security at HSIA, she noted. The third terminal being constructed under HSIA Expansion Project (Phase-I), will create handling capacity of additional 12 million passengers and 4 million ton cargos, she said. “The transformation of our economy helped boost the travel opportunities for our people and open up new routes and markets for our airlines. When Bangladesh will turn into an Upper Middle Income Country by 2031 and a developed country by 2041, the aviation market will be further expanded,” she added. Read More: PM Hasina: Bangladesh to become aviation gateway between the east and the west PM Hasina said as the economy of Bangladesh has grown, so has the importance of air cargo. “The air cargo market of Bangladesh is rapidly growing at 8 percent per year – three times the world average. This underlines the strong demand for a dedicated national cargo operation in our country. With all of this in mind, there are areas where aviation actors need to do more,” she said. The PM asked relevant government organisations, the airlines and other stakeholders to carry out their responsibility to create conducive environment for the development and sustaining market both for passengers and cargo. Read More: Concerted efforts needed to solve aviation sector’s problems: Speakers “The government is going to introduce e-visa system which will also facilitate and expedite the flow of passengers visiting Bangladesh for business or tourism,” she said. Noting that the promising aviation industry requires skilled manpower, she said, “Our youth must have the opportunities to be trained to become pilots, aeronautics engineers, mechanics, crew members and much more.” She hoped that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University, established by her government, would be able to cater the demand of skilled manpower in the country’s aviation and aerospace industry. Read More: Bangladesh, France keen to build partnership in aviation, space, aerospace technology She said the aviation industry has to lead by example in tackling climate change and strive to meet SDGs. De-carbonation and sustainable aviation fuel are topics which will require investments, concrete actions and the support from developed aviation nations. “The aviation partnership proposed by the UK and France, through Airbus, to support us in our journey is very crucial,” said the PM. Prime Minister’s Private Industries and Investment Advisor Salman F Rahman and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali were also present at the summit. Read More: Police aviation wing taking shape: Four ASPs complete basic course to be pilots.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called for building a skilled workforce to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Importance should be given to setting up technical and vocational training centres in every district and upazila along with conventional educational institutions, it said. FBCCI made the call during the second meeting of its Standing Committee on National Economic Policy and Planning, 8th Five Year Plan, SDGs, and Vision 2041 in Dhaka Thursday. FBCCI Senior Vice-President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said: "There is no alternative to building a skilled workforce to further accelerate our efforts to achieve the SDGs. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sameer Sattar said foreign investment is very important in achieving the SDGs. Also, he emphasised increasing foreign investments, building a  skilled manpower, and developing non-conventional sectors. Read more: Public-private partnership key to SDGs financing: Tazul

The achievement of sustainable development goals by 2030 will be jolted unless a vigorous growth of tourism in the country, said the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Monday. The FBCCI Standing Committee on Tourism Development (Inbound, Outbound, Domestic & Civil Aviation) stated this at its first meeting at its office here.   “At least 6 goals of the SDGs are directly and the rest are indirectly related to tourism. Therefore, if tourism is not flourished, the achievement of sustainable development goals by 2030 will be hampered,” the apex business association said. Also read: Any rise in power, gas tariff to be suicidal: FBCCISpeakers at the meeting, meanwhile, said some 109 sectors are directly and 1100 sub-sectors indirectly linked with the tourism industry. Every single tourist creates 10 direct and 35 indirect employment opportunities.“Therefore, tourism should be treated as a priority sector” they demanded.Tour operators urged the government to officially announce the country open for foreign tourists as the government declared for overseas businesspeople. Read Self-reliance in seed production essential for food security: FBCCIThey also demanded the resumption of the “on-arrival visa” facilities to encourage foreign tourists to come to Bangladesh.During the meeting, businesspeople called for issuing licenses to tour operators, recognizing them as exporters, easing the process of remitting money overseas, bringing tourist destinations under the tourism ministry, and ensuring security. Speaking at the meeting FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said the tourism Industry lacks skilled manpower. The industry may hire experienced managers and other staff from Sri Lanka to deal with the problem. Also read: FBCCI President urges Canadian companies to invest in Bangladesh’s waste managementRecognizing the government's interest in the tourism sector Vice President MA Momen emphasized securing tourist spots.The coordination between public and private efforts has to be further enhanced, he added.Vice President Md. Amin Helaly called for developing the standard of hospitality services by undertaking skill development programs. Read FBCCI to boost business with MexicoFBCCI director Syed Moazzem Hossain said the sector must work on compliance, identifying tourism products and country branding as well as rationalizing hotel, motel, and resort fares.FBCCI Director Amzad Hussain informed the meeting that currently, the Tourism sector contributes 3.5 to 4 percent to the GDP. This contribution has to be raised to 10 percent. Therefore, a coordinated course of action has to be formulated and implemented accordingly.The former CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board Akhtaruz Zaman Khan said that the BTB should incorporate FBCCI representation to bring the private sector demand into consideration. Read Brand Bangladesh in a new way, FBCCI president urges entrepreneursThe Director in Charge of the standing committee M.G.R. Nasir Majumder assured that the FBCCI would continue to provide maximum assistance for the development of the tourism industry.The meeting was presided over by the chairman of the standing committee Taufiq Uddin Ahmed.Co-Chairman and the members of the committee, FBCCI Director Harun Or Rashid, and Secretary-General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque were also present at the meeting. Read Abolish supplementary duty on locally-produced goods: FBCCI president

Bangladesh's Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury and five more researchers have been awarded the 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for early-career women scientists in the developing world. The award is a recognition of their contributions to research that is helping tackle climate change and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG14 (Life Below Water) and SDG15 (Life on Land). The winners' research explores a wide range of environmental impacts and their potential solutions: from turning waste into man-made soil; transforming plastic pollution into viable products for community trade; harnessing the power of microbes to improve carbon storage and soil quality; and using the right types of plants with roots to help prevent soil erosion and encourage soil "plasticity." Dr Gawsia, professor of zoology at the University of Dhaka (DU), has won the award in biological systems and organisms for her work on the conservation of aquatic ecosystems and threatened species in Bangladesh. Also read: Bangladeshi companies get most Safa awards Her work focuses on assessing the extent of and the risks from plastic pollution, which is closely linked to climate change. Microplastics and other plastics enter the waterways in Bangladesh from fishing nets, among other sources, and are harmful to threatened species and habitats. The prize also acknowledges the scientists' commitment to leadership, mentoring and engagement within their communities, including the use of innovative technologies in their research. Dr Gawsia is leading an effort to educate women in poor and marginalised fishing communities about how discarded Nylon-6 fishing nets can be turned into value-added products such as carpets and clothing, creating an alternative income source for the communities while protecting the wetland habitats. "Winning this award is like a promise to continue my research and teaching with new hope. This award gives me a scope to prove what women in science and conservation can achieve while working hard with sincere commitment," Gawsia said. "I believe this award will inspire my daughter, my students and everyone here in Bangladesh to showcase that with different limitations, scientific research can be done and achieved recognition worldwide." Dr Gawsia received her bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from DU in 2003 and 2005. She was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarship to study for her PhD in zoology at the University of Cambridge, which she completed in 2012. Since 2013, the researcher has worked at DU, teaching animal diversity, wetland ecology and other topics in zoology. She has received many awards and grants, including the Wildlife Conservation Society Fellowship. Dr Gawsia is a board member of the conservation organisation WildTeam and a member of the Zoological Society of Bangladesh and has been appointed regional co-chair of the South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The scientist was the country lead for the National Geographic "Sea to Source: Ganges" expedition in 2019-2020. Also read: Climate Conscious Architecture: Bangladesh’s Rainwater-harvesting Hospital Wins International Award She aspires to get more women engaged in science education and conservation efforts in Bangladesh and to make scientific findings understandable to the public. The other researchers who have won the award are Myriam Mujawamariya of the University of Rwanda in biological systems and organisms, Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed of the Al-Saeed University in biological systems and organisms, Heyddy Calderon of the Instituto de Geología y Geofísica in engineering sciences, Ashani Ssavinda Ranathunga of the University of Moratuwa in engineering sciences, and Flor de Mayo Gonzalez Miranda of San Carlos University in engineering sciences. "What our 2022 winners are doing is absolutely outstanding. Climate change is the most pressing challenge of our time, and these women are finding innovative and effective ways to address it in their local contexts. We hope this award is the first of many for them," Jennifer Thomson, president of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), said. First awarded in 2013, the award is given in partnership by the OWSD and the Elsevier Foundation. The OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the foundation awards a cash prize for each winner of $5,000, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a prominent scientific gathering to provide them with vital networking opportunities. This year's award ceremony will take place on March 24, both virtually and in-person as part of the International Conference on Gender Action and Climate Change in Turkey at the Istanbul Aydin University. Ylann Schemm, director of the Elsevier Foundation said: "We have reshaped our award this year to respond to the key challenges of our time, such as climate change, and supporting the progress being made around the UN SDGs." "We know that a quarter of all women are engaged in agriculture, which makes them more vulnerable to both climate change and resource scarcity. We want to reflect the critical role that women can play in successfully addressing climate shifts."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the consensus of global leaders over accelerating the climate finance alongside releasing USD 100 billion keeping pace with the Paris deal implementation and SDGs was the significant achievement. Hasina also said the adoption of Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration, which was formulated by 48 heads of the state and government of climate vulnerable countries, is the outcome of Bangladesh’s leadership in climate diplomacy. The Prime Minister came up with the observation while delivering her written speech at the press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban on Wednesday. The press conference was arranged to inform the outcome of her two-week visit to the United Kingdom and France. In the UK, the Prime Minister attended the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) in Glasgow, Scotland and Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021 in London. During her visit to France, she handed over the first Unesco-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy and joined the 75th founding anniversary event of Unesco and the Paris Peace Forum in Paris. Hasina also had meetings with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, French Prime Minister Jean Castex, French Prime Minister Jean Castex, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other heads of state or government. Besides, she had meetings with UK's Prince Charles, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, Bill Gates, as well as other important dignitaries from different organisations and business bodies. Read:Focus on blue economy: PM to IORA states The PM joined three civic receptions accorded to her by the Bangladeshi expatriates living in Scotland, London and Paris. Hasina said her participation in the COP26 was very much important for protecting the interest of Bangladesh and other members of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) member countries. Regarding her meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, she said both the leaders hoped that the friendly relations of the two countries will be extended and deepened. “Apart from the climate issue, we also discussed trade and investment, vaccine diplomacy, Rohingya crisis and other bilateral issues,” Hasina said. About the tete-e-tete with the French President, she said they discussed development of bilateral relations, celebrating of the Golden Jubilee of the diplomatic ties of the two countries, and Rohingya and other regional and international issues. “I requested the French President to start a process for having regular diplomatic dialogues between the two countries and he accepted that warmly,” she said. Hasina mentioned that President Macron has also agreed to work together for increasing activities in defence and economy and other sectors, and maintain regional peace and sustainability. In the beginning, Hasina delivered a written speech highlighting the outcomes of her participation in the COP-26 world leaders summit and prize giving ceremony of the “UNESCO-Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy” and 75th anniversary of UNESCO. Read:World-class vaccine institute to be set up in Bangladesh: PM She said 141 countries, including Bangladesh, are committed to preventing deforestation by 2030. The Prime Minister said she attended the meeting of the leaders titled “Action and solidarity-the Critical Decade” , a high-level penal on “Women and Climate change” and the closing ceremony of the “World Leaders Summit”. The Prime Minister said she addressed another event on “A Bangladesh Vision for Global climate prosperity” at the Scottish Parliament. Hasina said, during her stay in London, she attended some important events, including “Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021: Building Sustainable Growth Partnership”. The Prime Minister said she attended a reception at the invitation of Rashnara Ali and Lord Jitesh Gadhiya members of the British Parliament in British Parliament in that programme. She presented a keynote speech titled “Bangladesh at 50: A Resilient Delta”. Hasina also she had a bilateral meeting with French Prime Minister Jean Castex at the official residence. During the visit to Paris, she said, a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation was signed between Bangladesh and France. Through this both the countries have agreed on training as well as potential defense technology exchanges to enhance the capabilities of both the countries armed forces. Besides, three agreements were signed to provide 200 million euros in Covid-19 management, 130 million euros in support for sustainable water supply management projects, and technical assistance and training in the aviation sector, she added. The Prime Minister said she also attended some important events there including the prize giving ceremony of the “UNESCO-Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy” at UNESCO Headquarters and 75th anniversary of the UNESCO at the same venue. Sheikh Hasina said the introduction of this award is the most appropriate honor for the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in world humanity and peace as part of Mujib Year celebrations. The Prime Minister said in her speech in the 75th anniversary of the UNESCO Sheikh Hasina emphasized the need to increase investment in digital tools and services, Internet access, digital content and teacher capacity building to protect the education sector through the use of technology to counter the adverse effects of COVID 19. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen,  Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin and Education Minister Dipu Moni  were present beside her during the press conference.

Speakers at a national workshop on Thursday said Bangladesh should strengthen the local government bodies like Zila Parishad to ensure  development and help the country to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The workshop titled "Strengthening Zila Parishad in Achieving SDGs" was jointly organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MLGRD&C) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Read: SDGs performance: Hasina’s leadership earns huge appreciation Speaking as the chief guest, LGDR and Cooeratives  Minister Tajul Islam said thought the local government institutions are now stronger and more people-friendly than any time in the past, but Zila Parishad still needs further support to build their capacity if we want to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The Minister urged all the development partners to come forward in this regard. “Zila Parishad can solve their problems by utilizing the local resources properly. Coordination with other local government bodies is essential for that,” he said. Nathalie Chuard, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, was present in the workshop as a special guest. She highlighted the number of projects supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which are currently underway through the partnership Between Bangladesh and Switzerland. "An integrated whole of society approach can ensure inclusive development to achieve SDGs for Bangladesh. I hope that Switzerland's development assistance will continue to strengthen the local government initiatives and implement the Sustainable Development Goals," Nathalie said. Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP, said UNDP has been working with the Government of Bangladesh for many years. “We are also supporting the Government to localize the SDGs and also strengthening the capacity of Upazila and Union Parishads.” Chairing the workshop, Senior Secretary to the Local Government Division Helaluddin Ahmed thanked UNDP for their continued support to build the capacity of various local government institutions and hoped the support would continue further to increase the capacity of Zila Parishad. Read: Bangladesh performing well in fulfilling SDGs, but many challenges ahead He said, "In order to coordinate development activities at the district level, capable and people-friendly Zila Parishad is necessary." Earlier, Dr Mobasser Monem, Professor of Public Administration department of Dhaka University, presented the keynote paper on "Zila Parishad: Challenges, Prospects and Way Forward." Among others, Local Government Division officials, representatives from different local government institutions, development partners, academics and experts, civil society representatives were also present.

Building a resilient economic recovery to emerge stronger from the Covid pandemic would be Bangladesh's growth mantra for the next three years. This inference can be drawn from a government document that looks at how the Covid second wave and the consequent economic slowdown have affected the growth momentum in Bangladesh and mulls measures to overcome the crisis. Read: Post-pandemic economy: Bangladesh's blueprint for reviving investment atmosphere According to the Finance Ministry document, economic recovery will be central to Sheikh Hasina government's forward-looking agenda for the next three years, which will focus on the effective implementation of a slew of state policies through agressive spending. "In the medium term, the government will put emphasis on economic recovery from the fallout of Covid-19 and on implementing the Eighth Five-Year Plan, SDGs (sustainable development goals), Second Perspective Plan, Delta Plan 2100, and Blue Economy strategies," it states. Over the past decade, Bangladesh has been achieving a steady and stable economic growth along with maintaining sound macroeconomic stability with stable inflation, low public debt, and greater resilience to external shocks. In fact, in FY19, the growth rate reached a record 8.15 percent but due to the Covid-19 fallout, "the growth rate sharply declined to 5.2 percent in FY20", the document says. "In the last fiscal, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth target was initially set at 8.2 percent, but the second wave of the pandemic in April 2021 forced a revision of the target to 6.1 percent." On the demand side, private consumption, export-import and public investment have largely been affected by the pandemic. And on the supply side, farm output has been satisfactory so far "but manufacturing, construction and service sectors have been significantly affected", the document says. Read:ADB pegs Bangladesh's GDP at 6.8% this fiscal  GDP is the total monetary or market value of all finished goods and services produced in a country within a specific time. Alongside, Bangladesh also achieved praiseworthy improvement in social indicators, such as reducing poverty rate and infant mortality rate and increasing life expectancy and literacy rate. As per the document, Bangladesh has already qualified for the least developed country (LDC) graduation. "It has met, for the second time, all the three eligibility criteria for LDC graduation involving income per capita, human assets, and economic and environmental vulnerability."

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday said his country reassures its support to Bangladesh in the fight against the pandemic till the final and full victory. With Bangladesh endeavoring to become fully developed by its 70th jubilee, and China embarking on a new journey towards its second centennial goal, there are infinite opportunities yet to be explored to uplift the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a higher level, he said. The Ambassador said China will continue standing firmly with Bangladesh on regional and global issues, such as maintaining peace and security, responding to climate change, achieving SDGs, securing free trade and open economy, and developing science and technology of the next generation.  Read:China's Xi leads Martyr's Day ceremony amid patriotism drive "As the old saying goes, “ Walk alone if you want to go fast, walk together if you want to go far.” Let China and Bangladesh keep our hands joined on the way to our dreams, to a peaceful and prosperous Asia, and to a brilliant shared future of mankind," he said. Ambassador Li was addressing a webinar in celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China.

Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Jeffrey Sachs has highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her leadership in securing “tremendous” gains on different development and human indicators set out under SDGs. “You’ve been in the leadership position during this time of tremendous progress. So, we wanted to give you personal congratulations as well,” said Jeffrey Sachs, a world renowned economist. Lessons from Bangladesh’s progress in UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are something that the whole world is interested to know, Jeffrey mentioned. A video of his remarks made recently at a programme was shared on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Branding Bangladesh as the “top performing” nation in attainment of SDGs, Sachs urged Hasina to share her perspectives for world leaders to help the world achieve the path of “progress” and “development”. READ: Bangladesh performing well in fulfilling SDGs, but many challenges ahead The Prime Minister was awarded with the ‘SDG Progress Award’ by the UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) for Bangladesh’s steady progress in achieving the SDGs. “One of the things that makes us so excited and we want to hear from you is the fact that when we analyze as the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network does each year, the country’s progress towards sustainable goals Bangladesh came first in the world in most progress between 2015 and 2020,” Sachs told an international seminar at the UN, according to the video. Highlighting Bangladesh’s progress, the former adviser to three United Nations Secretaries-General, said, “I want to point out for listeners as we welcome you (Hasina). If you look at the facts of Bangladesh’s progress and development, they really are wonderful and striking.” “For that achievement as well as wishing Bangladesh a happy birthday as this is a celebratory year, even though we’re in the midst of a big crisis globally and everywhere, we still want to celebrate Bangladesh’s achievement,” Sachs added. Sachs tossed a few statistics to back his contention. In 1981, he said, the literacy rate was 29% of the adult population, in 2019 75% and in 1998, the completion at the lower secondary school was 50%, now it is 88%. Electrification was only 14% of households covered in 1991 while now electricity access is 92%, he mentioned. Mentioning a “seven-fold reduction” under-five child mortality, Sachs said one that is a particularly clear indicator of the great strides of wellbeing, the mortality rate for the children under 5 at independence was 222 children dying before their fifth birthdays of every 1000 births. READ: UN adopts resolution on rapid technological change's impact on SDGs Crediting Hasina’s leadership, he said, “You (Hasina) have been the prime minister for three consecutive terms and the other during 1996 to 2001, in between leader of the opposition in three parliaments, so you have been in the leadership of your country during this time of tremendous progress.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been honoured with the “SDGs Progress Award” in recognition of Bangladesh's achievements in sustainable development from 2015 to 2020. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and other organisations, including the Earth Institute of Columbia University and the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, jointly gave the award. Read:Hasina seeks SDGs roadmap for countries falling behind The Prime Minister accepted the award at the 9th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD), held virtually on Monday. “The SDSN and some other organisations conferred the award for the achievements of Bangladesh from 2015 to 2020. According to their evaluation, what Bangladesh doing is a miracle,” said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while briefing reporters in New York. Accepting the award, Sheikh Hasina dedicated it to the people of Bangladesh. “This award is a testimony of our endeavours engaged in achieving SDGs. ‘Leaving no one behind’ is a key part of the SDGs. We’ll continue our march towards progress and prosperity so that no one is left behind,” she said. Read:Hasina seeks stronger steps to address ‘planetary emergency’