Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (September 20, 2023) said gender equality is not an option but rather an imperative to achieve a fair and just world. “Our efforts to achieve peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability would yield no result if half of the world’s population were left behind,” she said. The prime minister was speaking at the annual meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women leaders titled ‘Accelerating the implementation of SDG5 towards achieving Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability’ held at the United Nations Headquarters. Saying that every country is different and they have different challenges and different social and cultural dynamics, she, however, stated that when historic Agenda 2030 was adopted, all were committed to achieving gender equality. “We cannot back out of that commitment under any circumstances,” she said. Major economies must make fair share to avert impending climate crisis: PM Hasina at UN Hasina mentioned that as women leaders, all have a responsibility to stand by all women and create examples that can guide others. “We must leverage our position and power to achieve a gender-equal world,” she added. In this connection, she shared two specific points. These are: First, all must enhance their partnership base to make gender equality a norm across all sectors. The private sector needs to come forward to advance women’s participation at a higher level. “As leaders, we need to engage with them and encourage them to take bold initiatives in that regard," she noted. Second, all need to elevate their narrative from participation to leadership. Women must be in a leadership position to be able to influence decisions and make positive impacts in the lives of other women. PM Hasina attends banquet hosted by President Biden “And the UN must lead by example. It is regrettable that no woman has so far been appointed as the UN Secretary General. Time has come; we will have one soon.” Talking about Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said that guided by the constitutional commitment, the government has adopted the necessary laws and policies to ensure women’s equal participation in all walks of national life. “We invested heavily in girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment. Girls’ education has been made free up to the 12th grade. We are providing stipends and free books to students up to the secondary level.” She also said that the government has ensured that 60 percent of the school teachers at the primary level are women. “We have taken specific policy actions to encourage women's entrepreneurship and help them access financing. We have ensured concessional loans for women entrepreneurs.” World must learn from past mistakes to prevent another pandemic like Covid-19: PM Hasina tells high-level UN meet She mentioned that the government has established the Joyeeta Foundation to promote and support women in business initiatives. “We opened the doors for women in higher positions in government bodies. Women are now becoming judges of the highest court, ambassadors, higher positions in civil administration, the armed forces, law-enforcing agencies, vice chancellors of public universities, and so on. On the political spectrum, women are represented at all levels, from the top to the lowest tier of the government.” The prime minister said that the government has ensured women's and girls' access to ICT and digital platforms. There are 12,292 union and municipal digital centres that were run by a woman and a man. “We are providing training for women to work as freelancers. Our target is to achieve gender parity in the ICT sector, including tech start-ups and the e-commerce sector. We are one of the first countries to introduce gender-responsive budgeting.” In this regard, she said that thirty percent of our budget is allocated for women's development activities. She mentioned that women in Bangladesh have also been an integral part of our continued efforts to achieve sustainability. “Our gender-equal disaster response plan has earned us global recognition.” She said that the investments in women's development have given the country its dividends. “Today, women’s contribution to GDP has reached 34%. Economic empowerment has also enabled women to play a greater role in decision-making, both in their families and in society.” Read more: US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom meets Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in New York

The result statistics of this year’s Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations across Bangladesh were handed over to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning. Education Minister Dipu Moni handed over the combined result statistics of the SSC and equivalent examinations to the PM at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban. Also read: SSC exam will be held under new curriculum in 2026: Dipu Moni Later, the chairmen of 11 education boards—nine general, one madrasa and one technical—handed over the result statistics of their respective boards to the premier. The prime minister published the result of SSC and its equivalent examination-2023, which will be available at the respective educational institutions and online from 10:30am. Also read: Education Minister warns of tough punishment if rumours are spread over SSC exams Students can see their results on www.educationboardresults.gov.bd by entering their roll and registration number. Besides, they can also get the results by sending an SMS to 16222. In that case they will have to type SSC<>first three letters of the name of the education board<>roll number<>exam year in the message option of the mobile phone and send that to 16222. For example, a student will have to write SSC<>DHA<>ROLL<>YEAR. The results will be sent in answer to the message. Also read: SSC Results 2022: 2,975 institutions achieve 100% pass rate, none passed from 50 Some 20, 78,216 students—10,24,980 boys and 10,53,246 girls—under the 11 education boards appeared for the SSC and equivalent examinations in 2023. The theoretical exams were held on April 30-May 23, 2023. Education Minister Dipu Moni and Deputy Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury spoke at the function moderated by Secondary and Higher Education Secretary Suleman Khan. Also read: SSC Results 2022: Girls slightly ahead of boys with 87.71% pass rate    

Goalkeeper of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 winning Argentine team, Emiliano Martinez, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's office today (July 03, 2023).  During the meeting, the PM appreciated the Argentine footballer for his stellar performance that contributed to Argentina lifting the Football World Cup 2022 trophy.  Martinez presented a signed Argentine jersey to the PM during their meeting. "You are the man who brought glory for Argentina. I wish you all the success," she was quoted as saying. Messi mania grips Argentina in 1st match as World Cup champs PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Sheikh Hasina said football is the most popular sport in the world and Bangladeshis are passionate about it. She mentioned that her family is also a sports-loving one. "My father and grandfather were footballers," she said. The premier said her government has been constructing upazila-level mini-stadiums across Bangladesh to promote football and other sports. Read more: Indonesia to Host Argentina In a Friendly Football Match on June 2023 Emiliano Martinez, the Golden Gloves winner of FIFA World Cup 2022, was overwhelmed after learning of Bangladesh's huge fanbase. "I'm very happy to be here and happy to know about the passion for football among Bangladeshis," he said. Indian organizer and sports promoter Satadru Dutta and personal manager of Martinez, Santiago Liotta, are among the visiting delegation members. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam, PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Sheikh Helal Uddin MP and Sheikh Tonmoy MP were present at the meeting between PM Hasina and star Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Read more: Messi mania grips Argentina in 1st match as World Cup champs

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Eid-ul-Azha becomes meaningful through sacrificing pettiness, unkindness, pride, and self-centredness. “The meaning of qurbani is sacrifice. Eid-ul-Azha becomes meaningful through sacrificing pettiness, unkindness, pride, and self-centredness,” she said. National Eidgah ready to hold Eid Jammat even in case of heavy rain: Taposh Sheikh Hasina made the call through a video message on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha. She also urged all to be invigorated with the spirit of sacrifice, and be devoted to the welfare of mankind. Action to be taken if passengers are charged extra fare during Eid journey: DMP Commissioner “Let’s share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha, imbued with amicability and sense of brotherhood,” she said. Eid journey: Vehicles’ pressure increased on Gazipur highways

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put emphasis on international initiatives to help prepare the young generation to face the challenges of the coming world order. “That is what we expect from international communities and organisations,” she said on Wednesday responding to a question before joining the plenary session of the two-day ‘World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All’ in the Swiss city of Geneva. This is a high-level forum for global voices to address the need for increased, coordinated and coherent action in support of social justice. "What I feel is that the international community needs to put social justice at the heart of the international development agenda like SDGs," she said. PM Hasina thanks Prince Rahim, Aga Khan Development Network for contributions in Bangladesh In Bangladesh, the PM said, her government has undertaken massive social safety net programmes. “It is for labourers, farmers, elderly people and students. Even the working and lactating mothers and disabled people are covered by the programmes,” she said. She mentioned that the government is giving them allowances too. “We have created social safety net in our humble way. But I think that it should be in a massive way. And ILO can take an initiative in this regard and international community should come forward to assist people to ensure that no one is left behind,” she said. PM Hasina urges Swiss businesses to boost investment in Bangladesh The prime minister reiterated her call that there can be no lasting peace or sustainable development without social justice. She said the world is changing, the new technology is coming, and the fourth industrial revolution is in the offing. “What we want is that no one should lose job. So to create job opportunities what we need is education. Everybody must learn about digital devices and know how to use it,” she said. For this purpose, she put emphasis on giving priority in providing training on new technology. Invest in social justice to build just and inclusive societies worldwide: PM at World of Work summit “The people should become skilled. That is what we are doing in our country,” she said. She said that the government is giving education to them. “We have introduced digital laboratories and computer laboratories from the school level. Then the training and incubation centres have been set up. Young generation get their training there. We are preparing our people,” she said.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home Thursday (May 25, 2023) morning wrapping up her three-day official visit to Qatar. A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:58am. She went to Qatar on May 22 last to attend the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) at the invitation of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Also read: PM leaves Doha for home ending 3-day visit During the visit, Hasina joined the Qatar Economic Forum, met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at Amiri Diwan, held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and held a meeting with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame. Besides, Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi met her as well as Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih and Saudi Minister Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim jointly called on her. Sheikh Hasina also addressed the students of Qatar University and visited Awsaj Academy, a specialized school for the children with special needs, which runs under Qatar Foundation here in Doha. Read more: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum

Bangladesh's will leave Dhaka for Doha this (May 22) afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 at the invitation of Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier and her entourage, will depart Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3 pm. The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport in Doha at 6 pm local time (9 pm Bangladesh Time). Also Read: PM Hasina to leave for Doha on Monday to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023 The Prime Minister will attend the Forum, titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story”, to be held on May 23-25. The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment. The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges, global crises and the adverse economic consequences arising from them. Also Read: PM Hasina to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25 On May 23, Sheikh Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih. On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (at Amiri Diwan) and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school).   PM Sheikh Hasina is expected to return to Dhaka in the morning of May 25, leaving Doha the previous night. Read more: Bangladesh signs MoU with Qatar Fund for Development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the next general election will be held in the country following the Westminster system of Britain. “We follow the Westminster type democracy. We’ll hold the election as Britain does. Yes, we can show liberality (flexibility) that if anyone from among the MPs (parties) in Parliament expresses desire to join the election-time government, we are ready to take them,” she said. By saying so she meant the MPs from the parliamentary opposition. All the seven MPs from opposition BNP quit the legislature in December last year as part of the party’s anti-government movement. “Now they (BNP) are not in Parliament. So, there is nothing to think about them,” she said. The premier made this remark replying to a question regarding the election-time government at a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban on the outcome of her recent three-nation visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom from April 25 to May 08, 2023. Hasina said her government had shown such liberality earlier before the 2014 national election and asked BNP leader Khaleda Zia to give her party’s representation in that election-time government, but she didn’t do so. “Now they (BNP) are not in Parliament. So, there is nothing to think about them,” she said. The Prime Minister said the government has no objection with the movement of BNP, but it won’t tolerate any violence including arson. “If they wage movement, we’ve no objection. But if they resort to arson violence and burn any person again, we’ll not spare them…… They can wage movement as much as they can,” she said. Also read: PM starts addressing media on her recent three-nation visit Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, said she has been working for the welfare of the people. “If the people vote for her, she will stay in power, otherwise not,” she said.   Replying to a question if any talks will be held with those who (BNP) are now waging movement on the streets against the government, the PM said, “What for are we going to call them to talks? Their demand is not specific as well.” In reply to another question, the premier reiterated that the government won’t procure anything from those who impose sanctions on Bangladesh. “We’ll procure nothing from those who impose sanction on us,” she said. Responding to a question regarding the dollar crisis, the PM said the dollar crisis is worldwide, not in Bangladesh only. “There is no such crisis (in Bangladesh). The reserve of foreign currencies was only $ 0.744 billion in 2006 during the BNP regime. That means less than one billion dollars. But now we have a reserve of $31.22 billion. Now there is not much reason to worry about it,” she said. Replying to other questions, Sheikh Hasina said the IMF provided a loan to Bangladesh as the country has the capacity to repay it and its economy didn’t get poor yet. She blasted a section of people who don’t see any good side of the government, saying that they are blind despite having eyes. She said now the rate of extreme poverty has come down to only 5 percent from 25 percent in the country. The AL chief said they will declare building ‘Smart Bangladesh’ in her party’s next election manifesto. The premier ruled out any possibility to raise the age limit of entry to government jobs.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (May 09, 2023) morning returned home from London after her 15-day official visit to Japan, the US and the UK. A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:05am. The flight departed Heathrow International Airport, London at 6:25pm on Monday (London Time). On April 25 last, Hasina left Dhaka for Tokyo on a four-day official visit to Japan on the first leg of her official three-nation visit. She went to Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio. During her stay in Tokyo, the Bangladesh PM met Emperor of Japan Naruhito, held summit meeting with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio. Read more: PM leaves London for home, ending 15-day foreign visit She and her Japanese counterpart witnessed the exchange of eight instruments, mostly memorandums of cooperation signed between Dhaka and Tokyo to boost cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, metro-rail, industrial up-gradation, ship-recycling, customs matters, intellectual property, defense, ICT and cyber security. She also attended an investment summit and a community reception as well as handed over the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to two Japanese nationals for their special contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Besides, Hasina held meetings separately with Foreign Minister of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Tanaka Akihiko, Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial & Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Ishiguro Norihiko and President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) Taro Aso. On April 28, the PM left Tokyo for Washington DC on a six-day official visit to the USA on the second leg of her three-nation tour in a bid to attend the celebration of the 50 years of partnership between the World Bank and Bangladesh. Read More: Blair calls on PM at Claridge's, offers help to attract investment She attended a seminar titled "Reflection on 50 years of Bangladesh-World Bank Partnership" organized at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington DC, USA on May 1. In Washington DC, Sheikh Hasina also had meetings separately with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and President and CEO of US Chamber of Commerce Suzanne P. Clark. Besides, she attended a high-level executive roundtable with the US business delegation and a community reception. On May 04, the premier left Washington DC for London on a five-day official visit to the UK to attend the coronation of UK's King Charles III, hosted by Buckingham Palace on May 06. Read More: Bangladesh's next general election will be fair, PM Hasina tells UK In London, Hasina had interaction with King Charles III, a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. She also attended the Commonwealth Leaders Event, the King's reception for heads of states, governments and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace in advance of the coronation of the King and the Queen Consort, and a community reception. She had a meeting with and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema there. Besides, PM Hasina had interactions with Presidents of Egypt and Rwanda, Prime Ministers of Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Namibia and Uganda in the coronation programme of King Charles III. Read More: PM attends coronation of King Charles III

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited Bhutan to build an economic zone in Bangladesh for mutual benefits of the two neighbouring countries. “We’re establishing economic zones in Bangladesh. You can build an economic zone in our country which will be known as Bhutan Economic Zone,” she said. The premier made the offer when Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema met her on Saturday at the Claridge Hotel where she is staying during her UK visit. Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana received the Bhutanese king and the queen on their arrival at the hotel. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed the reporters after the  meeting that lasted 50 minutes. Hasina informed the Bhutanese king that Bangladesh has already given economic zones to India, Japan and South Korea. “If you want, we can give you an economic zone in Kurigram,” she said. Hasina made the offer as the Bhutanese king said he wanted to build an administrative economic zone in his country keeping the environment unharmed.     The PM said that Bangladesh has been developing communication with neighbours in every way, including railways. Read more: Bangladesh's role in Bhutan’s socio-economic dev immense: Envoy “Bangladesh is a connectivity hub. Bhutan can use Bangladesh’s two ports and the Syedpur International Airport as we make those open for this purpose,” she said. The Bhutanese royals highly praised the economic advancement of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina, said Momen. The king expressed his desire to get his Himalayan nation's direct transit through Bangladesh and another one through India. The Bangladesh prime minister welcomed the Bhutanese eagerness, saying, “If necessary, we will talk to India over the matter.” The Bhutanese monarch said his country’s prime minister and foreign minister have a special attachment with Bangladesh as both of them studied in Bangladesh. He said both Bhutanese leaders have wanted to visit Bangladesh privately. Welcoming it, Hasina said, “My door is open for you people.” They discussed various family matters as the Bhutanese king and the queen consider the prime minister as their maternal aunt,  Momen said. PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PM’s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida  Muna Tasneem were present at the meeting. Read more: Bangladesh, Bhutan sign agreement on movement of traffic in transit