United Nations General Assembly
Vaccine equity, Rohingya, climate change on top of Hasina’s UNGA agenda
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to focus on the issues relating to equity in vaccine sharing, sustainable recovery, climate change and Rohingya crisis at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
"Covid-19 vaccines should be a public good without any discrimination," said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday sharing the key engagements of the Prime Minister.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were, among others, present at the press conference.
Prime Minister Hasina leaves here on Friday morning on a two-week official visit to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and other engagements with a stopover in Helsinki, Finland.
The theme of this year’s UNGA is “Building resilience through hope-to recover from Covid-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the United Nations.”Dr Momen said the Prime Minister will address the UNGA on September 24 in Bangla and in-person.
The Prime Minister will highlight Bangladesh’s impressive development journey, inclusive economic development, and success in the health sector, said the Foreign Minister.
He said Bangladesh will host a side event on the Rohingya issue titled “Rohingya crisis: Imperatives for a sustainable solution” where many countries are expected to voluntarily join.
Read: Vaccine inequity undermining global economic recovery
The OIC, ASEAN and European countries have already responded positively.
Dr Momen said there will be a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.
The Prime Minister will deliver a speech at a programme titled “UN Common Agenda: Action to achieve Equality and Inclusion.”
UNGA: Hasina to leave for US Friday on her first foreign trip since pandemic
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave here on Friday on a two-week official visit to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and other engagements with a likely stopover in Helsinki, Finland.
As per her schedule, the Prime Minister will leave for New York from Helsinki, Finland on September 19 after her stopover there on September 17-18.
She will stay in New York from September 19-24 to attend the UNGA where she is likely to address on September 24.
Wrapping up her official visit to New York, the Prime Minister will visit Washington DC where she will stay from September 25 to 30.
Hasina is scheduled to leave Washington for Dhaka on September 30 and will return home on October 1 after a stopover in Finland.
Asked about the PM's likely stopover in Finland, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB that they are working on it.
Read: PM likely to join 76th UNGA in person
Dr Momen will formally brief the media on the Prime Minister’s visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 3m on Thursday.
This is going to be Prime Minister Hasina’s first overseas visit since the outbreak of the Covid-19 in March 2020.
Earlier, she addressed the UNGA for 17 times and this would be her 18 times joining the UNGA.
The Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be the most challenging period the world has seen since the Second World War, said the UN Secretary-General on Tuesday.
Newly sworn in General Assembly President, Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives, opened the new 76th session, noting that his country’s flag is “flying at the highest peak today”.
He spoke of near-universal “collective anxiety” and hopelessness, not all of which is pandemic-related, saying: “The narrative must change” and that the General Assembly “must play a part in this”.
Vaccine should be a public good without any conditions: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated Bangladesh's call for making COVID-19 vaccine a public good noting that there are incidents of date expiry of vaccine doses for not sharing those timely with other countries.
"Vaccine should be a public good," he said adding that some are tagging some conditions while sharing vaccine doses which he sees as an "indirect pressure" on countries like Bangladesh.
Read:Bangladesh to take its policy towards Afghanistan independently: FM
The Foreign Minister was briefing journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his recent visit to Switzerland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
"We had a very busy schedule with some positive outcomes," Dr Momen said.
Referring to his meeting with UNHCR, the Foreign Minister said the UN will soon get engaged in Bhasan Char.
He said they also discussed the climate issues as Bangladesh remains very vocal on the issues.
The Foreign Minister said they want actions and delivery with fulfillment of commitments on climate front.
Earlier, Dr Momen said a successful pandemic recovery must involve universal vaccination ending vaccine inequality.
Read: Pay compensation to climate vulnerable nations: FM to developed countries
In this regard, he referred to the unfortunate manifestation of vaccine nationalism and called the world to stand united against such vaccine inequity.
“It is time for the development partners to be more humane and help the deserving without discrimination. Vaccine should be a public good,” said the Foreign Minister while speaking at the United Nations high-level Forum on the Culture of Peace held at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
First-ever UN resolution on vision impairment adopted unanimously
The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted the first-ever UN resolution on vision impairment, committing access to eye healthcare for the 1.1 billion people living with preventable sight loss by 2030.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, Ambassador Rabab Fatima introduced the resolution on behalf of the Friends of Vision, an informal like-minded group at the UN that advocates for greater access to eye healthcare for over two billion people currently living with various levels of visual impairment.
The resolution titled 'Vision for Everyone: Accelerating Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals' is unique as it is the first agreement among the member states of this highest global body that is designed to tackle preventable sight loss, the Bangladesh Mission at the UN said on Saturday.
READ: Bangladesh, Ireland initiate first-ever UN resolution on 'Global Drowning Prevention'
The other two co-chairs of the group are Antigua & Barbuda and Ireland, who joined Bangladesh in proposing the resolution. A total of 115 member states co-sponsored the resolution adopted on Friday.
Ambassador Fatima dedicated the resolution to all people around the world who are visually impaired or handicapped.
She urged all countries in the world to set a target for vision for everyone by 2030 by ensuring full access to eye care services for their populations.
This resolution has a strong mandate and is expected to send a strong message of hope to the millions of visually impaired.
Ambassador Fatima said the adoption of the resolution on vision is a watershed moment in global efforts for vision care.
“1.1 billion people live with preventable sight loss. Preventable sight loss is a global challenge that needs a global solution – and that is what we have agreed today. What we agreed today will make a world of a difference to the lives of billions and their families and communities”.
Referring to a global survey data, the Bangladesh Ambassador said that vision impairment and blindness pose an enormous global financial burden with the annual global costs of productivity losses estimated to be US$ 411 billion.
However, access to eye care can not only reduce children’s odds of failing in the class by 44%, but it can also increase the odds of obtaining paid employment by 10%.
This is also an equity issue as 55% of the blind people are women and girls; and they are 8% more likely to be blind than men, she added.
READ: It’s a strategic decision: FM about UN resolution on Rohingyas
Ambassador Fatima said millions of people globally lose their visions, needlessly. “And this phenomenon largely impedes their ability to contribute to their full potentials to the socio-economic development of their societies. The resolution before us has the potential to reverse this situation”.
The resolution called upon the member states to make eye health integral to their nation’s commitment to achieving the sustainable development goals.
The resolution also asked for international financial institutions and donors to provide targeted finances, especially to support developing countries in tackling preventable sight loss.
It called on relevant UN institutions to support global efforts to achieve vision for everyone to achieve the sustainable development goals. The resolution also called for new targets on eye care to be included in the UN’s sustainable development goals at its next review.
About 90% of the people who do not have access to proper eye healthcare live in low- and middle-income countries.
In Bangladesh, according to a 2018 estimate, the number of blind people aged 30 and above is 750,000 and more than six million people in Bangladesh need vision correction.
READ: Bolton says N. Korea missile tests violated UN resolutions
The government of Bangladesh is one of the signatories to the global initiative launched in 1999 known as Vision 2020.
Resolution on Myanmar fails to recommend actions on Rohingya repatriation: Dhaka
Bangladesh has expressed “deep disappointment” over the new resolution on Myanmar at the United Nations General Assembly as ‘it has failed to recommend actions” on repatriation of the Rohingyas and adequately reflect on the crisis.
“The resolution that was adopted falls far short of our expectations,” said Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima after adoption of the resolution on the ‘Situation in Myanmar’ at the 75th session of the UNGA.
In an explanation of vote by Bangladesh, she said the resolution failed to recognize in its operative part, the urgent need for creating conditions for the safe, voluntary and sustainable return of the displaced minorities of Myanmar, particularly the Rohingyas.
UN urges action to end AIDS, saying COVID-19 hurt progress
The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a declaration Tuesday calling for urgent action to end AIDS by 2030, noting “with alarm” that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities and pushed access to AIDS medicines, treatments and diagnosis further off track.
The declaration commits the assembly’s 193 member nations to implement the 18-page document, including reducing annual new HIV infections to under 370,000 and annual AIDS-related deaths to under 250,000 by 2025. It also calls for progress toward eliminating all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination and for urgent work toward an HIV vaccine and a cure for AIDS.
Without a huge increase in resources and coverage for those vulnerable and infected, “we will not end the AIDS epidemic by 2030,” the assembly warned.
It said the coronavirus pandemic has created setbacks in combating AIDS, “widening fault lines within a deeply unequal world and exposing the dangers of under-investment in public health, health systems and other essential public services for all and pandemic preparedness.”
Read: EXPLAINER: The US investigation into COVID-19 origins
While the international investment response to the pandemic is inadequate, it is nonetheless unprecedented, the assembly said.
The response to the coronavirus by many nations has demonstrated “the potential and urgency for greater investment” in responding to pandemics, underscoring “the imperative of increasing investments for public health systems, including responses to HIV and other diseases moving forward,” it said.
The assembly adopted the resolution at the opening session of a three-day high-level meeting on AIDS by a vote of 165-4, with Russia, Belarus, Syria and Nicaragua voting “no.”
Before the vote, the assembly overwhelmingly rejected three amendments proposed by Russia.
They would have eliminated references to human rights violations that perpetuate the global AIDS epidemic and a “rights-based” collaborative approach by UNAIDS, the U.N. agency leading the global effort to end the AIDS pandemic They would also have dropped references to reforming discriminatory laws, including on the age of consent, on interventions to treat HIV among intravenous drug users including “opioid substitution therapy,” and on “expanding harm reduction programs.”
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomed the declaration’s adoption and told the assembly it “will be the basis of our work to end this pandemic that has ravaged communities for 40 years.”
Read: ‘This IS INSANE’: Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine
Calling AIDS “one of the deadliest pandemics of modern times,” she said 77.5 million people have been infected with HIV since the first case was reported in 1981 and nearly 35 million have died from AIDS.
“HIV rates are not following the trajectory that we together promised,” she said. “Indeed, amidst the fallout from the COVID crisis, we could even see a resurgent pandemic.”
Byanyima said COVID-19 showed that science moves “at the speed of political will” and urged speeded up spending on innovations for AIDS treatment, prevention, care and vaccines “as global public goods.”
On the plus side, the assembly’s declaration said that since 2001 there has been a 54% reduction in AIDS-related deaths and a 37% reduction in HIV infections globally, but it warned that “overall progress has slowed dangerously since 2016.”
The assembly expressed “deep concern” that in 2019 there were 1.7 million new infections compared to the 2020 global target of fewer than 500,000 infections and that new HIV infections have increased in at least 33 countries since 2016.
Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, has demonstrated the most progress in tackling the AIDS epidemic but it also remains the worst-affected region, the assembly said. It called for “urgent and exceptional action” to curb the infection’s devastating effects, especially on women, adolescent girls and children.
Read: WTO panel considers easing protections on COVID-19 vaccines
Assembly members welcomed progress in reducing HIV-infections and AIDS-related deaths in Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, Western and Central Europe and North America. But they noted that despite progress, “the Caribbean continues to have the highest prevalence outside sub-Saharan Africa,” while the number of new HIV infections is increasing in eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa.
Byanyima stressed the importance of ending inequalities in the availability of drugs, and ensuring that medicines that can prevent deaths of people living with HIV are manufactured by multiple producers at affordable prices, “especially in the global south, where the disease is concentrated.”
“This moment calls for us to work together across sectors, across countries,” she said. “Populism’s false promises are proving no match to biology: As COVID reminds us, we’re not just interconnected, we’re inseparable.”
“We cannot end AIDS in one country or one continent. We can only end AIDS everywhere,” Byanyima said.
76th UNGA session: Bangladesh elected vice-president
Bangladesh has been elected vice-president of the upcoming 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from the Asia-Pacific Region for a one-year term starting September this year.
The election was held at the UNGA Monday where Bangladesh was elected unanimously.
Along with Bangladesh, Kuwait, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Philippines were also elected as vice-presidents from the Asia-Pacific.
READ: 76th UNGA session: Maldives elected president, Bangladesh VP
Bangladesh last served as vice-president during the 71st session of the UNGA in 2016-2017.
After the election, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima said: "Bangladesh is a flag bearer of multilateralism and believes in the leadership of the UN in addressing the complex challenges facing the current world."
"The country maintains principled and constructive position in various global discourses in the field of development, peace and security and human rights. Today's election demonstrates the trust reposed by the international community in Bangladesh at the multilateral fora" she added.
Meanwhile, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid was elected president of the same session of the UNGA.
The 76th session of the UN general assembly will be of particular significance as the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and its multidimensional impacts, said the Bangladesh Mission at the UN Tuesday.
READ: ‘Great disservice to your office’: India stings UNGA Prez for his Kashmir remark
The UNGA consists of all the 193 member states and serves as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the UN Charter. The UN organ meets under its president in annual sessions, which generally starts from September at headquarters in New York.
Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir has said the basic rights, including to citizenship, and the creation of conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingyas must be respected.
“The safety and security of the Rohingya and other minorities must be secured,” he said while delivering his keynote speech at the Sixth Lecture of the Bangabandhu Lecture Series at Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also spoke at the programme titled “Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and the United Nations.”
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, among others, were present.
Bozkir said he firmly believes they cannot speak on these issues from afar. “The United Nations must continue to reach out to the people we serve.”
Turning to the issue of human rights and humanitarian action, he commended Bangladesh for offering shelter and protection to the Rohingya fleeing persecution and unspeakable crimes in Rakhine State.
READ: Memory centre launched to preserve heritage of Rohingyas
Bozkir mentioned that Bangladesh stepped up at a moment of crisis to uphold the principles of the United Nations when most vulnerable neighbours endured their darkest hour.
“Please allow me, on behalf of the United Nations General Assembly, to thank you. History will define your actions as heroic,” he said.
Bozkir said he remains “deeply concerned” about the humanitarian implications of the military’s recent actions in Myanmar. “I join calls for an immediate end to the violence.”
A year ago, he said, the International Court of Justice ordered Myanmar to do everything possible to prevent a genocide against the Rohingya.
“This order retains its urgency and should not be forgotten as we face new challenges relating to the coup and its violent aftermath,” Bozkir said.
READ: Rohingya repatriation looks uncertain: Hasina tells UNGA President
Earlier at the joint media briefing, the UNGA President said most probably they will have a meeting on Myanmar where they will try to find a consensus.
Personally, he said, he is completely against any military coup in the world.
UN General Assembly President to visit Bangladesh next week
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkır will visit Bangladesh and Pakistan from May 25 to 27.
"Looking forward to my upcoming official visit to Bangladesh and Pakistan on 25-27 May to discuss the multilateral system and shared challenges," he tweeted.
In Dhaka, Bozkir will be received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will also meet him during the visit.
The President will also deliver speech at the Foreign Services Academy, said the UN office in Dhaka.
His speech will address the current international context – with a focus on global crises and emergencies – and reflect on the state of multilateralism and the United Nations system.
The President will also meet the United Nations Country Team.
While in Bangladesh, the President will also travel to Cox’s Bazar to meet Rohingya refugees.
He will observe the vital work undertaken by the UN Resident Coordinator and the UNHCR Representative.
Bangladesh, Ireland initiate first-ever UN resolution on 'Global Drowning Prevention'
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted unanimously a historic resolution on drowning prevention globally.
The Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Ambassador Rabab Fatima on Wednesday introduced the first ever one-off UNGA resolution on “Global Drowning Prevention” which acknowledges the ‘silent epidemic’ for the first time in UN’s 75-year history.
Co-led by Ireland, the resolution was co-sponsored by a total 81 Member States.
The resolution recognizes that drowning affects every nation of the world and provides a framework for action for an effective response to the unacceptably high number of drowning deaths.
The resolution further identifies that drowning is a preventable cause of mortality that disproportionately affects children and adolescents within and among nations.
A new UN Day for drowning prevention, 25 July, was also proclaimed to promote awareness and encourage national action, as well as share best practices and key solutions to drowning.
Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York has been working since 2018 to ensure that this global and preventable epidemic secures much-deserved political space internationally.
In introducing the resolution at the plenary of the General Assembly, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima stated that “The Government of Bangladesh recognizes the urgency to have a resolution to generate greater political commitment to prevention of drowning and is honoured to lead this effort at the UN”.
Ambassador Fatima stressed, “We have reduced child mortality rates globally, however, if we cannot bring death from drowning to ‘zero’, our success in primary healthcare, and therefore, achievement of SDG 3 will remain unaccomplished”. In view of the fact that 90 percent of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with Asia carrying the highest burden, Bangladesh Ambassador observed, “Drowning is not just an injury, it is an inequity”.
Since drowning incidents affect mostly poor families, drowning prevention could also contribute to achieving several other SDGs, including SDG 1 on elimination of poverty, Ambassador Fatima remarked.
Referring to number of deaths from drowning, which is around 18000 every year in Bangladesh, Ambassador Fatima mentioned that the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to ensure that no more precious lives are lost to water.
A cross-governmental taskforce was established on drowning prevention – led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with representation from 12 departments (including Fire and Civil Defence, Ministries -such as Education, Women and Children’s Affairs, Social Welfare, and Youth and Sports). The task force is working to prepare a ‘National Drowning Reduction Strategy’.