India on Friday described as “unwarranted” and “regrettable” the remarks by UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir that Pakistan should raise the Kashmir issue more forcefully and that all parties should refrain from steps that affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Bozkir, a former Turkish diplomat who assumed office last September, made the comments at a Press interaction with Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Thursday. Bozkir, the first Turkish national to preside over the General Assembly, was on an official visit to Pakistan during which he also met Prime Minister Imran Khan reports the Hindustan Times. READ: India invites applications for citizenship from non-Muslim refugees from neighbouring countries “We express our strong opposition to the unwarranted references made with respect to the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir by the President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA) Volkan Bozkir during his recent visit to Pakistan,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. Bozkir’s remarks that “Pakistan is ‘duty bound’ to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN more strongly are unacceptable”, and there is no basis for comparing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir to other global situations, Bagchi said. READ: Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President    “When an incumbent President of the UN General Assembly makes misleading and prejudiced remarks, he does great disservice to the office he occupies. The PGA’s behaviour is truly regrettable and surely diminishes his standing on the global platform,” he added. At the press interaction in Islamabad, Bozkir said Qureshi had compared the Palestine and Kashmir issues. He also noted that Palestine has more “political wind” behind it, whereas the Kashmir issue doesn’t have the “same enlarged political wind behind it”. Noting that it is Pakistan’s duty to bring the Kashmir issue to the UN “more strongly”, he said a meeting could be held on the matter if a group of countries submit an application. Bozkir added, “As an impartial president of the General Assembly, I must also reiterate that the UN position on Jammu and Kashmir is governed by the UN Charter and applicable Security Council resolutions. “India and Pakistan’s Simla Agreement of 1972...states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter and this is, I think, very important that we must all remember.” Bozkir further said, “I think both parties, all parties, must refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. This is I think the very important part of how we look at the case.” READ: UNGA President pushes for Covid-19 vaccines for all In August 2019, India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and split the state into two union territories. Pakistan opposed the move, which Indian officials said was aimed at increasing development, curbing terrorism and bringing the region into the mainstream. India has rejected Pakistan’s criticism of these developments as interference in its internal matters.

President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkır has reiterated his call on the military authorities to grant the UN Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener access to Myanmar to assess the situation first-hand under agreeable conditions while fostering the conditions for a frank and open dialogue. “The world has not given up on Myanmar. We have not forgotten the plight of the Rohingya people,” he said during his visit to Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday. The UNGA President, who paid an official visit to Bangladesh on May 25-26 upon invitation of the government, said the United Nations General Assembly is determined to ensure a better future for the Rohingya people. He called on all leaders to act in the interest of Myanmar’s democratic reform, engage in meaningful dialogue, refrain from violence and to fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Read:General Assembly has not forgotten Rohingya people: Bozkir Bozkır said voluntary, dignified and safe return is the ultimate goal however the humanitarian need in Myanmar is increasing. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas while in Rakhine State today there is an estimated 600,000 stateless Rohingya, of which some 144,000 are living in 21 displacement camps as well as among the host community since 2012. “We must not forget the order of the International Court of Justice in 2020 that everything possible should be done to prevent a genocide against the Rohingya,” he said. The UNGA said the safety and security of the Rohingya and other minorities must be secured. “Their basic rights, including the right to full citizenship, freedom of movement, and the creation of conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingya refugees and IDPs, must be respected.” He commended the Government of Bangladesh for stepping up to meet the needs of its most vulnerable neighbours in their darkest hour. “I thank the host community here in Cox’s Bazar, who were the first responders when the first groups of refugees arrived here seeking shelter and protection.” The UNGA President said the Rohingya people living here in Cox’s Bazar have survived unimaginable horrors and persecution. Read:Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President He said they undertook treacherous journeys to reach safety – last year alone 200 lost their lives at sea. “In recent weeks, a fire broke out here in the camp. Yet, they persist.” However, since the military takeover on 1 February, insecurity and clashes continue to be reported across much of the country with arrest, detention and use of excessive force against protestors by police and security forces. “It is not too late for the military to reverse the negative trajectory on the ground and respect the will of its people. The military must exercise restraint and help foster a path back to civilian rule in line with the outcome of the recent elections,” said the UNGA President. On May 25 he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed the plight of the Rohingya people, the situation in Myanmar, the impact of climate change, the importance of human-centred development, gender equality and women’s empowerment, culture of peace and peacekeeping.   

President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir on Wednesday said the General Assembly has not forgotten the Rohingya people. "To the people I met, I will uphold my promise to share your stories back in New York," he tweeted after visiting Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar district. The UNGA President said, "I came face to face with resilience today in Cox’s Bazar. We often speak about the Rohingya in UNGA - but today I spoke with them." Read: Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President Earlier on Tuesday, he said 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. 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. 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. Read: Bhasan Char to become another example to world: UNGA President

Appreciating Bangladesh’s leadership on climate front, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir has said 2021 amid COP26 presents another important year for Bangladesh as a global leader on climate action. “Covid-19 is the story of 2020 and 2021, but the existential threat of climate change remains. You are on the front line,” he said while delivering his keynote speech at the Foreign Service Academy. The UNGA President said Bangladesh’s efforts to draw attention to the need for urgent global cooperation, including through Bangladesh’s leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Nations’ Forum, are noteworthy. He said an increase in global warming of just 1°C globally risks flooding that would displace 40 million Bangladeshis by the end of the century. “I welcome the government of Bangladesh’s plans for low-carbon industrialisation,” said the UNGA President, adding that recent announcements by large carbon emitters of improved climate change commitments give a  hope that this year will see the course correction they need. Also read: UNGA President pays tribute to Bangabandhu

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.  

Access to water is not just about “liquid in a bottle” but instead touches on universal issues such as dignity, opportunity and equality, the UN General Assembly President said on Thursday, in opening a high-level meeting on ensuring water and sanitation are available to all.