The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis called on Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the latter’s office here on Thursday. During the meeting, they discussed different avenues of cooperation and partnership between Bangladesh and the UN in achieving shared goals. Singapore companies keen to invest in Bangladesh: Minister Fu Discussions also touched upon ongoing collaborative efforts to address the Rohingya crisis.  

UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis has said climate change is happening today and there are lots of plans and places to mitigate and adapt. “The voices of young people are being reflected and integrated into these plans. Now we need action. We need to know young people‘s perspectives on climate issues,” she said ahead of the COP27. To foster climate negotiation and youth voice at the global level, Brighters Society of Bangladesh, with the support of ActionAid Bangladesh organized a virtual two-day long pre-COP conference titled ‘Bangladesh Youth COP 2022’ on September 17-18. Director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development Prof Saleemul Huq said, “Don’t have high hopes from COP 27. The leaders of the world come together in COP and take some small initiatives. So, only participating in COP is not important.” He said the climate change problem of yesterday is not the same for today or tomorrow. “We already entered the era of loss and damage of climate change. We need to highlight the loss and damage issues in the COP. Polluters of the world must agree and pay to the sufferers of pollution. Young people need to act as leaders and activists to advocate and engage others.’’ Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP said it is impressive that young people from every corner of Bangladesh are thinking about the whole world. “We need them to battle against the climate change issues. We are seeing different crises globally because of climate change,” he said. However, the lawmaker said, the sad reality is that they have not yet found any sustainable solution for it. “Climate change is an agenda of young people, by the young people and for the young people. It’s high time young people led from the forefront, their voices are heard and acted upon. I think, even though they are the front liners, their concerns are not reflected and often remain unheard at the policy-making level,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the closing session.

Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday. The meeting was held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.  BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and organising secretary Shama Obayed were also present at the meeting. Contacted, Amir Khasru said it was just a courtesy call with the newly appointed UN envoy. Read: No conspiracy can stop country’s development spree: Quader He declined to give any details about what they discussed in the over hour-long meeting. This is the first meeting between Gwyn Lewis and the BNP leaders since she was appointed as the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Bangladesh.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo has said the recent attacks on Hindus, "fueled by hate speech" on social media, are against the values of the Constitution and need to be stopped. "We call upon the Government to ensure protection of minorities and an impartial probe," she said on Monday. READ: Protesting recent communal attacks, Hindus issue 24 hrs ultimatum before withdrawing Shahbagh blockade

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo on Sunday said the world needs journalists more than ever to bring out truth while effectively dealing with the life-threatening misinformation. “It’s ironic that in a moment with most access to information there’s an avalanche of life-threatening misinformation out there,” she said. The UN official said the journalists have the responsibility to bring out truth, spread science-based facts that save lives, protect people and ensure rights. “That’s the power of your pen. Use that power as a force for good.” The UN Resident Coordinator was addressing the “DCAB Talk” organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Foreign Service Academy. Also read: UN to provide electoral assistance to Bangladesh if requested: Mia Seppo DCAB President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the “DCAB Talk” where UNRC Mia shared UN views on Rohingya and Afghanistan crises, issues related to Bhasan Char, climate change, sustainable and inclusive Covid recovery, Digital Security Act (DSA), gender issues and cooperation framework. Mia said reports from journalists can help educate and clarify perceptions; as well as reconcile people and inspire patriotism.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo on Sunday said the United Nations (UN) will provide electoral assistance to Bangladesh only if there is any request on that particular front. “The UN doesn’t provide electoral assistance unless we’re asked to provide,” she said, adding that the whole process depends on requests for electoral assistance but the UN does not just step in on its own. UNRC Mia said the UN stands ready to support under the framework of cooperation if there is any request forthcoming. Also read: World needs journalists more than ever: Mia Seppo The UN Resident Coordinator was responding to questions at “DCAB Talk” organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Foreign Service Academy.

UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Mia Seppo on Saturday said the UN and its all the agencies recognise the enormous investment that the government of Bangladesh has made in building Bhasan Char for Rohingya relocation.

CCNF, a network of more than 50 local and national NGOs working in Cox’s Bazar, urged the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) to revise the allocation application’s conditions of $4 million CERF/emergency coronavirus fund so that local NGOs can participate in humanitarian response for the Rohingya population.