UN
Strengthen efforts to ensure protection, reparations for sale, sexual exploitation of children: UN expert
Fighting impunity and providing reparations must be at the heart of the international response to suffering and harm inflicted on child victims and survivors of sale and sexual exploitation, a UN expert said Wednesday.
In a report to the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and exploitation of children Mama Fatima Singhateh said despite progress in providing reparations to child victims and survivors in a handful of states, these efforts need to be universal and strengthened following international legal standards.
"My report is not just a reflection on existing systems of reparations for children around the world," Singhateh said. "It is intended to signal to the international community, in large areas where current provisions in national, regional, and international frameworks can better respond to the needs of child victims and survivors."
The expert lamented major challenges in effectively combating these abhorrent crimes – all of which urgently need to be addressed through accountability, she said.
To date, no reparations scheme has provided a complete and comprehensive programme that addresses all categories of child exploitation, violence, and abuse, exposing children to the risk of secondary victimisation.
"Where reparations are attempted, they are rarely effective in reaching the most marginalised groups of children. These children are most often outside or on the margins of the formal state machinery in terms of recognition of their identity and are therefore at risk of being excluded from legal protection," Singhateh said.
A crucial first step, the UN expert said, would be for states to introduce and strengthen specific legislation on reparations for child victims and survivors in the national context.
Singhateh's report analysed the role of non-state actors, including non-state armed groups, corporations, the World Bank-funded development projects and multilateral development banks, and found that they have historically fallen short of their responsibilities in addressing and facilitating redress for child victims and survivors of sale and sexual exploitation.
"The reparations process should be empowering, transformative, sustainable, victim-centred and survivor-centred," she said.
"Reparations for child victims and survivors of sale and sexual exploitation require a strong and sustained national, regional and international commitment," Singhateh added.
The special rapporteur said it should include survivor-centred reparations; a co-design model with meaningful participation of children; development and implementation of transitional measures; strengthening inter-agency cooperation; a child-friendly, multidisciplinary and inter-agency model; age-, gender- and local context-sensitive reparations; immediate delivery of reparations; mobile courts and child-focused mechanisms in vulnerable areas; and the use of information and communication technology to support reparations through targeted detection and mandatory reporting.
Fazilatun Nessa Indira highlights good practices of Bangladesh in advancing women empowerment at UN
Following the footprint of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh has made significant strides in advancing women empowerment in many areas including in the field of technology use under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira was quoted as saying at a Ministerial Roundtable in the United Nations on March 7.
She is attending the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Stating various policy initiatives of Bangladesh, State Minister Indira shared with the Ministerial delegations of other countries that after successful “Digital Bangladesh” campaign, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched the ‘Smart Bangladesh’ campaign, where the entire economy of Bangladesh will be operated with the support of technology. Women will have equal opportunities to engage themselves in this technology-driven development journey of Bangladesh, she further added.
In her remarks, the State Minister highlighted that over 5000 digital Centers have been established across the country where 50% service providers are women. She also shared other best practices in which women were given priority such as the receipt of salary by RMG workers – 80% of whom are women, through mobile services; empowerment of around 10.25 million of rural women across the country through ICT based signature project “Info Lady”; introduction of a mobile app named ‘Joy’ and the two 24 hours national hotlines109 and 999 to prevent and protect women from violence and sexual harassment. These good practices were highly applauded by the international community.
Referring to the target of Bangladesh to increase women’s participation in ICT to 30 percent by 2030 and 50 percent participation by 2041, the State Minister sought support and cooperation from United Nations and development partners to achieve these goals.
Prior to the Ministerial Roundtable, the State Minister attended a high-level event on "Getting it Right from the Start: Empowering Women in Green STEM through the Education Pipeline” organized by the Permanent Mission of Australia and a Ministerial breakfast arranged by the World Bank Group. Earlier on 06 March, she met Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir and President of Swiss Federation Alain Berset at receptions hosted by the Permanent Mission of Iceland and Switzerland for the visiting Ministers.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body of the United Nations exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The current session of the Commission started on 06 March and will continue till 17 March 2023.
PM in Doha: LDCs need 5 key support from dev partners
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 06, 2023) sought five key support from development partners to ensure a smart, innovative and knowledge-based society that will help to promote peace and inclusivity.
The prime minister made the call at a side event, titled “Investment in Research and Development in LDCs for Smart and Innovative Societies”, at the 5th UN LDC Conference held at Qatar National Convention Center.
Read More: LDC5 Conference: PM Hasina leaves Dhaka for Doha
The key supports are:
1. Provide appropriate incentives to the international private sector for impactful technology transfer to LDCs, including for climate action.
2. Invest in digital infrastructures to reduce broadband divide and tech discrimination in LDCs.
3. Foster collaboration among research professionals and institutes to address issues and challenges facing LDCs.
4. Continuation of LDC waivers under TRIPS Agreement, also beyond graduation, especially for pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals.
5. Support in developing an intellectual property regime conducive to both innovation and development in LDCs.
Read more: Bangladesh open to Qatar’s investment in energy sector: PM tells Doha Investment Summit
She also apprised the participants of her goal to go much further, to the next vision — ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.
“It will be based on four core elements: Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Society and Smart Economy,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that in 2009, when her government made a pledge to the people to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021, at the time, it sounded like a tall order.
“But, the Covid-19 pandemic proved that we could fulfill that pledge.”
Read More: Graduating LDCs want to make sure growth momentum isn’t slowed down: PM in Doha conference
She said that the pandemic reminded all that LDCs cannot wait to invest in scientific research and technological innovation.
“Such investments are a must for advancing their economies through productive capacity building,” she said.
She mentioned that LDCs average GDP expenditure for research and development still remains below 0.6 percent. Only a handful of them feature in the Global Innovation Index.
“But, LDCs cannot afford to lag behind with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our young people should be made part of the future of work. We need meaningful global partnership for that,” she said.
Read More: Private sector should prepare to face challenges of LDC graduation, FBCCI president says at AGM
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh qualified for LDC graduation in 2021 under all three criteria.
“We are now preparing for graduation in 2026. During this transition, investment in science, technology and innovation is a priority for our government. We are working with the UN Technology Bank for LDCs on a national needs assessment,” she said.
She said that the government attaches importance to promoting a scientific mindset in the education system.
“We have established a host of science and technology universities and specialized institutes around the country,” she said.
Read More: Switzerland to work with all Bangladeshi stakeholders for a ‘smooth, inclusive, sustainable’ LDC graduation
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has introduced the Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship and National Science and Technology Fellowship.
The PM said that the new focus on blended education is aimed at developing IT skills for all.
In this regard, she said that Sheikh Russel Digital Labs and Schools of Future are being set up across educational institutions. Bangladesh now has the world’s second largest community of registered IT freelancers. A new Institute of Frontier Technology is in the making for supporting high-end research and development.
She mentioned that following the launch of Bangabandhu-I communication satellite, the government is now planning for an earth observation satellite.
Read More: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs
“Bangladesh had to invest in improving early warning and weather forecast systems to drastically reduce natural disaster risks,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has worked on home-grown climate adaptation measures, including through technological applications.
“We also need access to mitigation technologies to further curb greenhouse gas emissions. Our government is building two nuclear power plants as part of a clean energy transition. We aim to increase our share of renewable energy, preferably with floating solar panels, offshore wind turbines and green hydrogen.”
She said that the government has given emphasis on supporting agricultural research which made it possible for Bangladesh to combat hunger and become largely food secure.
Read More: Int'l community must renew commitment for real structural transformation in LDCs: PM in Doha conference
“We are investing further in making our agriculture and livestock environment-friendly. We stand ready to share our good practices with other LDCs through various means, including contract farming.”
Talking about the government's present focus on enhancing scope for medical research, she said, climate change’s impacts on public health are being manifested through new disease burdens.
“We must have international collaboration for research in neglected tropical diseases. We urgently need investments in developing new treatments for antimicrobial resistance,” the PM said.
Bangladesh open to Qatar’s investment in energy sector: PM tells Doha Investment Summit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (March 06, 2023) urged oil-rich Qatar to make investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, especially in renewable energy.
“We remain open to investment proposals in our infrastructures and logistics sectors. We believe there is scope for Qatari investment in the energy sector, including in renewable energy,” she said.
The premier was addressing the Doha Investment Summit 2023 Titled ‘The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potentials of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh’ held at Grand Ballroom of The St. Regis Doha.
She mentioned that Bangladesh could benefit from Qatar’s expertise in offshore gas exploration and energy distribution system.
Read more: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs
She urged the business people from Qatar to look at certain thrust sectors in Bangladesh and invited a delegation of Qatari business people to visit the country soon.
“I also urge the non-resident Bangladeshis based in Qatar to invest in Bangladesh. We need your participation in our nation-building efforts,” she said.
PM Hasina said that Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with Qatar should be readjusted based on a mutually beneficial economic partnership as there are immense untapped potentials.
“Bangladesh and Qatar are bound by strong brotherly ties and friendship. Our two nations need to reposition our ties based on a mutually beneficial economic partnership,” she said.
Read More: PM in Doha: LDCs need 5 key support from dev partners
She also put emphasis on setting up a Joint Committee on Trade and Investment and a Joint Business Forum to bring private sectors on a single platform.
“Our two governments should work on setting up a Joint Committee on Trade and Investment. There should also be a Joint Business Forum to bring our private sectors on a single platform,” she said.
She mentioned that Bangladesh’s agricultural growth also creates scope for cooperation in agro-processing industries, with buy-back arrangements to Qatar.
“We have plans to set up three special tourism zones, where Qatar can engage in both real estate and hospitality sectors,” she said.
Read More: PM meets Guterres in Doha, discusses Ukraine, Rohingyas
The PM said that Bangladesh aspires to have at least ten Unicorns in ‘Smart Bangladesh’, and country’s vibrant start-up scene is ready to draw Qatari investment.
In addition, she said, Qatari investors can consider portfolio investment in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission is working hard to further develop our capital markets. We have taken several steps to establish our bond market on a solid footing. We are soon going to include derivative products in our capital markets,” she said.
PM Hasina said that the disruptions in international fuel market due to the war in Ukraine have pushed countries like Bangladesh into a hard spot.
Read More: Energy-rich Qatar faces fast-rising climate risks at home
In order to meet the growing energy need, she said, Bangladesh is interested in increasing its LNG imports from Qatar.
She also requested Qatar to explore opportunities for increasing import of goods from Bangladesh.
She said that Bangladesh is now well on track to graduate from the UN LDC Group in 2026 which has been achieved by 168 million people through their hard work and commitment.
She said that just before the pandemic, country’s economy reached a growth rate of 8.15 percent, and even during the pandemic, it posted a growth rate of 6.94 percent.
Read More: PM urges South Korea for more investments in Bangladesh
She said that Bangladesh is now the world’s 35th largest economy with a GDP of USD 460 billion while projected to become the 24th largest by the first half of the 2030s.
“It was during my first tenure in 1996-2001 that our government fully opened up the door of trade and business for the private sector. Now our private sector is flourishing and our government is working as a facilitator. Together, we hope to take Bangladesh to the next level of development,” the PM said.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh has one of the most liberal investment regimes in the region.
She mentioned that the incentives being offered include tax holiday, concessionary duty on machinery import, remittance of royalty, technical know-how and fees, allowing 100 percent foreign equity, unrestricted exit policy, full repatriation facilities of dividend and capital on exit, etc.
Read More: Eswatini wants trade, investment promotion with Bangladesh
“The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is offering a number of services to foreign investors under one roof.”
She mentioned that the government is setting up 100 Special Economic Zones with coordinated facilities and there are so far five country-specific Economic Zones in the making.
“We are investing heavily in our infrastructures fit for a regional connectivity and logistics hub. Our mega-projects like the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge, the Karnaphuli river tunnel, the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the expanded Third Terminal at Dhaka International Airport, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Metro-rail system in Dhaka all testify to our determined march forward.”
Hasina mentioned that the government has already brought the entire nation under electricity and internet coverage while country’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I has opened up new horizons.
Read More: Bangladesh, South Africa discuss ways to boost trade and investment
“We have a large pool of easily trainable workforce available at a competitive wage<” she said, adding “Bangladesh has got the world’s second largest community of registered IT freelancers.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh has made big leaps in developing its digital backbone down to the remote areas. “Our boys and girls are preparing themselves to join the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
She said that the government is gradually building 38 Hi-tech Parks, with opening for foreign investment.
She said that government’s vision now is to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, drawing strength from a knowledge-based society.
Read More: It is high time to work together on more projects, investment areas: Chinese Envoy
“Bangladesh offers to be a willing partner in realizing the Qatar National Vision 2030. We can equip our workforce with knowledge and skills to cater to the advanced employment market in Qatar,” she said.
She reaffirmed her commitment to fulfill Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib’s dream of building a ‘Sonar Bangla’ and said that she is confident the Qatari leadership and people will continue to stand by Bangladesh as they did in the past decades.
“I encourage our business peoples to keep adding new feathers to our excellent bilateral relations,” she said.
Chairman of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Prof Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam and Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hosaain Miah made two separate presentations focusing on potentials of trade and investment in Bangladesh.
Read More: Bangladesh-Turkiye Business Forum launched to usher in new era of economic cooperation
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in partnership with the Foreign Affairs Ministry arranged the event.
Cindy McCain next World Food Programme chief
Cindy McCain will become the next executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) next month, the UN agency said Thursday.
Currently serving as the United States Ambassador to the UN agencies in Rome – which includes lifesaving food relief agency WFP – the wife of the late US Senator and Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, said she was "deeply honoured" to be appointed, noting that the agency has been part of her life for decades.
Cindy is the former chair of the Board of Trustees of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. She has a long track record in non-profit and humanitarian work, having served on the Board of Directors of Project CURE, CARE, Operation Smile, the Halo Trust and the advisory boards of Too Small To Fail and Warriors and Quiet Waters.
"I am ready to roll up my sleeves and spend time both in Rome and in the field, deepening my understanding of WFP's vital work, and making sure it continues to grow to meet the needs of a hungry world," said McCain.
Read more: Reduction in WFP assistance could drive up crimes, radicalization in Rohingya camps: ARSPH
She will take over from fellow American, David Beasley, who will have served six years when his term ends on April 4.
Announcing the appointment at the regular press briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the secretary-general was "deeply grateful for his "important contribution and service" to the WFP.
Cindy, he said, was a "champion for human rights" who has "a long history of giving a voice to the voiceless through her humanitarian and philanthropic work."
The increasing number of conflicts, climate shocks and economic turmoil has led to a sharp rise in the number of acutely food-insecure people struggling to get enough food to feed their families – up almost 200 million since before the coronavirus pandemic, the WFP said in a press release announcing Cindy's appointment.
The WFP said it provided more than 158 million people with food, cash and vouchers last year, more than in any previous year, and received a record $14 billion in funding.
In 2020, the emergency food agency was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Uranium particles enriched to 83.7% found in Iran: UN report
Inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog found uranium particles enriched up to 83.7% in Iran’s underground Fordo nuclear site, a report seen Tuesday by The Associated Press said.
The confidential quarterly report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency distributed to member states likely will raise tensions further between Iran and the West over its nuclear program. That’s even as Tehran already faces internal unrest after months of protests and Western anger over sending bomb-carrying drones to Russia for its war on Ukraine.
The IAEA report only speaks about “particles,” suggesting that Iran isn’t building a stockpile of uranium enriched above 60% — the level it has been enriching at for some time.
The IAEA report described inspectors discovering on Jan. 21 that two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at Iran’s Fordo facility had been configured in a way “substantially different” to what had been previously declared. The IAEA took samples the following day, which showed particles up to 83.7% purity, the report said.
“Iran informed the agency that ‘unintended fluctuations’ in enrichment levels may have occurred during the transition period,” the IAEA report said. “Discussions between the agency and Iran to clarify the matter are ongoing.”
Also Read: Iran’s currency hits new low amid anti-government protests
The IAEA report also said that it would “further increase the frequency and intensity of agency verification activities” at Fordo after the discovery.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations told the AP that Massimo Aparo, a top IAEA official, visited the Islamic Republic last week “and checked the alleged enrichment rate.”
“Based on Iran’s assessment, the alleged enrichment percentage between Iran and the IAEA is resolved,” the mission contended. “Due to the IAEA report being prepared before his trip, his trip’s results aren’t in it and hopefully the IAEA director-general will mention it in his oral report to the board of governors” in March.
A spokesman for Iran’s civilian nuclear program, Behrouz Kamalvandi, also sought last week to portray any detection of uranium particles enriched to that level as a momentary side effect of trying to reach a finished product of 60% purity. However, experts say such a great variance in the purity even at the atomic level would appear suspicious to inspectors.
Also Read: Russia, Iran sending top envoys to UN’s human rights council
Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal limited Tehran’s uranium stockpile to 300 kilograms (661 pounds) and enrichment to 3.67% — enough to fuel a nuclear power plant. The U.S.′ unilateral withdraw from the accord in 2018 set in motion a series of attacks and escalations by Tehran over its program.
Iran has been producing uranium enriched to 60% purity — a level for which nonproliferation experts already say Tehran has no civilian use. The IAEA report put Iran’s uranium stockpile as of Feb. 12 at some 3,760 kilogram (8,289 pounds) — an increase of 87.1 kilograms (192 pounds) since its last quarterly report in November. Of that, 87.5 kilograms (192 pounds) is enriched up to 60% purity.
Uranium at nearly 84% is almost at weapons-grade levels of 90% — meaning any stockpile of that material could be quickly used to produce an atomic bomb if Iran chooses.
While the IAEA’s director-general has warned Iran now has enough uranium to produce “several” bombs, months more would likely be needed to build a weapon and potentially miniaturize it to put it on a missile. The U.S. intelligence community, as recently as this past weekend, has maintained its assessment that Iran isn’t pursuing an atomic bomb.
“To the best of our knowledge, we don’t believe that the supreme leader in Iran has yet made a decision to resume the weaponization program that we judge they suspended or stopped at the end of 2003,” CIA Director Williams Burns told CBS’ “Face the Nation” program. “But the other two legs of the stool, meaning enrichment programs, they’ve obviously advanced very far.”
But Fordo, which sits under a mountain near the holy Shiite city of Qom, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of Tehran, remains a special concern for the international community. It is about the size of a football field, large enough to house 3,000 centrifuges, but small and hardened enough to lead U.S. officials to suspect it had a military purpose when they exposed the site publicly in 2009.
Meanwhile, a top Defense Department official told the U.S. House of Representative’s Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that Iran could make enough fissile material for one nuclear weapons in under two weeks if Tehran choose to pursue it.
“Iran’s nuclear progress since we left the (deal) has been remarkable,” Colin Kahl said. “Back in 2018, when the previous administration decided to leave the (deal), it would have taken Iran about 12 months to produce one bomb’s worth of fissile material. Now it would take about 12 days.”
Any explanation from Iran, however, likely won’t be enough to satisfy Israel, Iran’s regional archrival. Already, Israel’s recently reinstalled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened military actions against Tehran. And Israel and Iran have been engaged in a high-stakes shadow war across the wider Middle East since the nuclear deal’s collapse.
Meanwhile Tuesday, Germany’s foreign minister said both her country and Israel are worried about the allegations facing Iran over the nearly 84% enriched uranium.
“We are united by concern about the nuclear escalation on Iran’s part and about the recent reports about the very high uranium enrichment,” Annalena Baerbock said. “There is no plausible civilian justification for such a high enrichment level.”
Speaking in Berlin, Israel’s visiting foreign minister, Eli Cohen, pointed to two options to deal with Iran — using a so-called “snapback” mechanism in the Security Council resolution that enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal to reimpose U.N. sanctions, and “to have a credible military option on the table as well.”
“From our intelligence and from our knowledge, this is the right time to work on these two specific steps,” he said.
UN reaffirms continued support to Bangladesh in overcoming unprecedented challenges
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reaffirmed UN’s continued support to Bangladesh in overcoming unprecedented challenges that may arise out of the ongoing global conflicts, financial, energy and food crisis and the adverse impact of climate change.
He made the comment while meeting Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the United Nations Headquarters in New York recently.
The foreign minister applauded the Black Sea Grain initiative that helped countries in need to import fertilizer and cereal to tackle food crisis, according to Bangladesh Mission in the UN.
Guterres informed that some European countries, namely Latvia, Estonia, Belgium and Netherlands have adequate stockpile of raw materials of fertilizer that Bangladesh may consider to import at an affordable price.
Thanking the Secretary-General, Momen assured that Bangladesh will explore the possibility.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s extra-ordinary development trajectory under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Guterres wished that Bangladesh continues to achieve more successes in the coming years, particularity in attaining the SDGs.
He also admired the continuous leadership of Bangladesh in maintaining international peace and security as the top troops and police contributing country to the United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Also Read: Making Bangla UN's official language involves huge money: Shahriar Alam
They also discussed the Rohingya crisis and the possible way out in view of the recently adopted Security Council resolution on Myanmar.
They underscored the importance of ASEAN leadership in resolving the crisis. The UN secretary general highly appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity for sheltering 1.2 million Rohingyas and reiterated UN’s support for returning the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
Earlier, the foreign minister held meetings with Csaba Kőrösi, the President of the General Assembly (PGA); Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary General for Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA); and Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Department of Peace Operations (DPO).
Also Read: Moscow thanks Dhaka in light of UN vote
During his meeting with the PGA, they discussed a wide range of issues particularly the proposal of Bangladesh for the establishment of a Ministerial Forum on South-South Cooperation.
Thanking the foreign minister for the above initiative, the PGA commended Bangladesh’s remarkable leadership, productive engagement and significant contribution in recent time in various processes of the United Nations and expressed his commitment to work together.
During his meeting with Under-Secretary General for DPPA, USG appreciated the important role played by Bangladesh during its Chairmanship of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2022.
While meeting with Under-Secretary-General for Department of Peace Operations, USG praised the recently concluded bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Gambia for joint deployment of peacekeepers in future UN Missions.
He assured that his department will promote such initiative where other countries can benefit from Bangladesh’s long-experience in peacekeeping operation.
Against this backdrop, Momen reiterated Bangladesh’s continuous commitment to UN Peacekeeping Operation and its readiness to provide more peacekeepers and equipment as and when necessary.
Among others, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith was present at those meetings.
N Korea calls UN chief's remarks on missile test 'unfair'
North Korea on Wednesday accused U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of “an extremely unfair and imbalanced attitude,” as it lambasted him for condemning its recent missile test but ignoring alleged U.S. hostility against the North.
After the North’s intercontinental ballistic missile test on Saturday, Guterres strongly condemned the launch and reiterated his call for the North to immediately desist from making any further provocations. In a statement, Guterres also urged North Korea to resume talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
“To be most deplorable, the U.N. secretary-general is going on the rampage of illogical and miserable remarks, which are little different from those of U.S. State Department officials over the years,” Kim Son Gyong, the North’s vice foreign minister for international bodies, said in a statement carried by state media.
Kim said North Korea’s ICBM test was a response to the security threat the U.S. posed to the North by temporarily deploying long-range bombers for joint training with South Korea earlier this year. Kim said the test was also a warning to the earlier convocation of the U.N. Security Council on the North.
North Korea views U.S.-South Korea military drills as an invasion rehearsal and is particularly sensitive to the U.S. mobilization of B-1B bombers that can carry a massive conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons. After the North’s ICBM test, the United States flew B-1B bombers again for separate drills with South Korean and Japanese warplanes.
Read more: US urges UN to condemn North Korea; China, Russia blame US
“The U.N. secretary-general should clearly understand that his unreasonable and prejudiced stand on the Korean Peninsula issue is acting as a factor inciting the hostile acts of the U.S. and its followers against (North Korea),” Kim said.
Last November, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui called Guterres “a puppet of the United States” for condemning an earlier ICBM test by the North.
Saturday’s ICBM test, the North’s first missile test since Jan. 1, was made on a steep angle to avoid neighboring countries. The reported launch details again suggested the North has missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland. But many foreign experts say the North still must develop some last remaining technologies to acquire functioning nuclear-tipped missiles, such as one shielding missiles from the harsh conditions during atmospheric reentry.
In response to the latest U.S. deployment of B1-B bombers on Sunday, North Korea said its 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher fired two rounds off its east coast the next day. North Korea has said its rockets can carry nuclear warheads. South Korea views the weapons as a short-range ballistic missile.
South Korea and the United States are to hold a set of joint military drills in coming weeks, including a table-top exercise set to take place at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
Last year, North Korea test-launched more than 70 missiles, the most ever in a single year, as part of its efforts to enlarge its weapons arsenal. Observers say the North would eventually want to win international recognition as a legitimate nuclear state and use that status as a way to get U.N. and other international sanctions on it lifted.
International Mother Language Day: Tribute from UN in Bangladesh in many languages
In a video published on February 21, on the United Nations in Bangladesh official Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, together with the staff of the UN in Bangladesh, representing various foreign and indigenous languages of different states and parts of the country wished the people of Bangladesh a happy International Mother Language Day.
On the same day, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Officer-in-charge Dr Susan Vize wrote an op-ed on the importance of International Mother Language Day and its legacy.
"On 21 February, we mark International Mother Language Day, a celebration of the world’s linguistic and socio-cultural diversity. We are particularly honoured to mark this day here in Bangladesh as the 21st February is also a worldwide tribute to the people of Bangladesh who have courageously fought for recognition of the Bangla language.”
“Embracing and protecting our linguistic diversity must be reinforced by not allowing anyone to use language as a tool to provoke conflicts and any forms of discrimination.
“It is important to respect all languages: big and small, widely and less spoken, indigenous and foreign.
Read more: Making Bangla UN's official language involves huge money: Shahriar Alam
“The diversity of languages is vital in intercultural dialogue to build inclusive societies”
“On behalf of the staff of the UN in Bangladesh, representing foreign and indigenous languages of different states and parts of the country from Teknaf to Panchagarh we wish the people of Bangladesh a happy International Mother Language Day. The day the country courageously fought for, and the legacy of which should not be forgotten," Gwyn Lewis and Susan Vize said in the op-ed on International Mother Language Day published on 21 February.
Help us in relocating Rohingyas to Bhasan Char: PM Hasina urges UN
Dhaka, Feb 20 (UNB)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the United Nations to help Bangladesh in relocating Rohingyas to Bhashan Char island.She made the plea while UN resident coordinator Gwyn Lewis called on her at her official residence, Ganabhaban.PM’s Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam told reporters that the prime minister mentioned that over one million Myanmar nationals, Rohingyas, are now a big burden for Bangladesh.“Their return to their homeland soon is uncertain, so I am requesting the UN to help Bangladesh relocate the Rohingyas to Bhashan Char,” she said.In this connection, she mentioned that the island has been organised and developed to provide better living condition for the Myanmar nationals.She said that it has a cyclone shelter, employment opportunities on limited scale and education facilities for the children in their mother language. Hasina said that the Rohingyas who are living in camps in Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar have already outnumbered the local people.“They have created problems for the living and livelihoods of the local Bangladesh people,” she said.She also said that some of the Rohingyas are involved in various types of anti-social activities like human and drug trafficking, internal conflicts and militant activities.“In this situation, as their scope to return to their homeland soon is uncertain, their living standard will be upgraded if they relocate on Bhashan Char island where they will get better environment to live,” she said.
The PM said that forcibly displaced Rohingyas are living in an inhumane condition in Cox’s Bazar amid uncertainty about their repatriation soon.
Read more: PM Hasina slams move to undermine Bangabandhu’s role in Language MovementBangladesh has so far moved about 30,000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char to ease crowding in the camps in Cox's Bazar.The Rohingyas, the minority Muslims in Myanmar, fled to neighbouring Bangladesh mostly in 2017 to escape killings, arson and rape unleashed by the country's military junta.Diplomatic efforts at safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland have so far failed.
The issues of UN-set MDGs and SDGs were also discussed during the meeting.
PM Hasina said that she herself attended the events during the adoption of the agenda of MDGs and SDGs where Bangladesh played a proper role. She said that necessary measures have been taken to implement SDGs and issues relating to Bangladesh have been incorporated in the country’s five-year and perspective plans.Pointing out a number of challenges in implementing the SDGs due to Ukraine-Russia war followed by sanctions and counter-sanctions, the prime minister said that the war after the Covid-19 pandemic situation has created some obstacles.But the government has been working to implement the SDGs, she said.She said the government has been continuing with the provision of free books, stipends and scholarships to students for promotion of education. School feeding programmers have also been introduced.Talking about women empowerment, she said that the present government has ensured female representatives on the local government bodies.Besides, job opportunities have also been created for the female to attract them to education, she said.She said that as a result now the parents are more interested to send their daughters to educational institutions.In this regard, the PM said that girls are now outnumbering the boys in schools, while almost cent percent enrolment has been achieved in the country.During the meeting, the UN resident coordinator highly appreciated Bangladesh’s stunning progress and achievements in socio-economic front as well as in women’s empowerment, girl’s education, and in achieving MDGs and SDGs, spokesperson Nazrul said.Gwyn Lewis assured that the UN will remain beside Bangladesh in the days ahead in overcoming various challenges like it had been in the past.
About child labor situation in the country Hasina said there is no such case in formal sectors as it has been almost abolished although there might be some in informal areas.
Referring to the climate change, the prime minister said that her government has undertaken adaptation and mitigation programmers to face its adverse impact and has constructed cyclone tolerant houses as well as created green belts along the coastal areas.
About measures to fight climate change the PM said they have taken adaptation and mitigation programme for making Bangladesh climate change resistant.
She said Bangladesh is building climate resistant houses and green belt along the coastal areas as measures to fight the climate change impacts.
She said Bangladesh set up a Climate Trust Fund with its own finance.
She however expressed dissatisfaction over the climate promises made by the rich nations.
"The rich countries are giving promises, but they are not complying with those," she said.
The Prime Minister and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh spoke of the important cooperation between the UN and Bangladesh in responding to climate-related disasters and economic volatility, according to UN office in Dhaka.
They reaffirmed commitments to strengthen the UN-Bangladesh partnership on the Rohingya refugee response, despite funding shortages that forced cuts in food assistance for Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox’s Bazar.
They also exchanged views on Bangladesh's economic growth ahead of the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar, on 5-9 March.