Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that  denocracy in Bangladesh is practiced  only by her pary Awami League which has a history of holding free elections. “Awami League practices the democratic system and fair democratic practices prevail during Awami League regime,” she said. The prime minister, now on a four-day official visit to Japan, said this while speaking at a civic reception at Westin Hotel here. She said all elections under the Awami League regime were held fairly. In this connection, Hasina said the President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid made history by completing his two terms peacefully. “This has been the first time in the history of the country where the outgoing president and the new president could complete all related procedure peacefully. This is a democratic process,” she said. The Awami League chief said that former military dictator Ziaur Rahman destroyed the election process during his military regime. The process continued by another military ruler HM Ershad and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. She mentioned that there was no political stability in 29 years out of 50 years of Bangladesh after the assassinations of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975. “There was no democratic process and there was no democratic rule of law in those days” she stated. She slammed those who fail to see democracy and development in the country. Hasina said that opposition BNP's history is so tarnished that it has no face to take part in elections. She said that in 2008 election BNP-Jamaat alliance got only 30 seats while AL-led grand alliance bagged all other seats. “For that reason they (BNP-Jamaat) did not take part in 2014 election,” she said. Referring the arson terrorism by BNP-Jamaat nexus in 2013-15, she said that they killed at least 500 people and destroyed many government and private establishments. “Now how could they participate in the election and seek votes from the people?,” she questioned. She urged all to remain alert so the country remain s free from militancy, terrorism and drugs. The PM said there are some people who do not see democracy in the country and they have been favouring those who violated human rights and concealed bodies after killing people. She said they could not even file a case after the assassination of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with her mother and brothers as the killers were indemnified from charges and trial. “The killers had got a gift instead of punishment,” she said. The prime minister said two killers of Bangabandhu are now staying in the USA and Canada, adding that they have repeatedly requested the governments of the two countries to send back the killers to Bangladesh. “But, they do not pay heed to the request,” she said. Pointing at the USA, she said, “Giving killers (of Bangabandhu) shelters in their own country, they are talking of humanity in Bangladesh.” Hasina said her government has done everything possible to stop the culture of impunity in Bangladesh. She called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in Bangladesh saying that they have taken measures for attracting foreign investments to the country. Referring to establishing 100 economic zones across the country, she said those who have interest can invest in the economic zones. She also suggested Bangladeshis also invest in Bangladesh as It will be better to invest with a Japanese partner. Referring to the suffering of the people across the globe due to global economic recession because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the prime minister said her government has taken every possible measure so that the citizens won't have to suffer at least for food. She asked all to bring every inch of land under cultivation as Bangladesh needs not depend on any country for food. The PM said her government has been working to bring every person under the housing scheme following the footprints of Bangabandhu to make sure that none will remain homeless and landless across the country. “No one in the country will remain homeless and landless in the country,” she said. Spelling out her government’s measures for the overall development of Bangladesh, the premier said Bangladesh has completely changed in the last 14 years in terms of socio-economic uplift. The PM vowed to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was present on the dais while Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed gave welcome address at the function.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh and Japan have successfully elevated the bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership” from the existing “Comprehensive Partnership”. “We are happy that Bangladesh and Japan have successfully elevated the bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ from the existing ‘Comprehensive Partnership’,” she said. The prime minister said this while delivering her joint statement after holding the summit meeting with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio at his office here. Hasina said Kishida and she have discussed the entire gamut of their bilateral relations in the meeting. “Our two sides have signed 8 agreements and memorandums of cooperation (MoCs) which will further institutionalise our future cooperation in the areas of agriculture, customs matters, defence, ICT and cyber-security, Industrial upgrading, intellectual property, ship recycling and metro rail,” she said. Hasina said they both also discussed about Rohingya crisis as the overdue presence of the Rohingyas has seriously been affecting the lives and livelihoods of the local communities in Bangladesh. “We requested Japan to help finding a durable solution to the crisis by using its channel of communication with Myanmar,” she said. Read more: Summit talks between Bangladesh and Japanese PMs underway in Tokyo She also announced the Dhaka-Narita direct flight is going to operate within this year. She mentioned that they have also discussed about the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI) and BIG-B Initiative for development of Southern Bangladesh for connecting the Bay of Bengal and the neighbouring regions. The BIG-B initiative is to accelerate industrial agglomeration along the Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar belt area and beyond, encompassing developing economic infrastructure, improving investment environment and fostering connectivity. The two prime ministers also expected the initiative, with maximum use of Japan's advanced technologies and socioeconomic development experiences, to yield mutual benefits and prosperity to both countries. She thanked the Government of Japan for being one of the largest development partners of Bangladesh. “We are looking forward to concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in the days ahead," she said. She expressed her confidence that the excellent understanding, friendship and cooperation that exist between the peoples and governments of the two countries would grow even stronger in the years ahead. PM Hasina said Japan occupies a very special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. She recalled that Japan was among those few countries that gave early recognition to Bangladesh on 10 February 1972. “The historic visit of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973 laid the foundation of our lasting friendship, " she added. Earlier on her arrival here, Bangladesh prime minister was received by Kishida Fumio at the entrance hall of the Japanese Prime Minister Office. She was given ceremonial guard of honour. After the summit meeting, both the prime ministers signed the joint statement. They also witnessed the exchange of bilateral agreements or memorandums of understanding (MoUs).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated Tk nine crore as Eid gift  for the shop workers, traders and owners at Bangabazar who have been affected in a devastating fire incident recently. The money has already been sent to their mobile phone, said Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah. Read More: Traders of Bangabazar set up around 800 temporary shops at the site.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina today paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day. She paid homage by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka this morning. After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence. Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of AL. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh’s first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district. The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who had been declared as the president of the government-in-exile. Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu. Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members. The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 that year.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the global and individual country’s efforts need to be streamlined through responsive policy, planning and governance, to make the actions regarding climate change issue successful. “Since origins of the climate change are global, their solution and management would also have to be global,” she said. The prime minister came up with this view while delivering her pre-recorded speech in the two day 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) is the annual conference of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and its partners. It brings together member countries, organizations, institutions and infrastructure actors and stakeholders to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate resilient infrastructure. The programme was held with the theme of ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure: Pathways for Risk Informed Systems, Practices and Investments’. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke at the programme. Hasina, however, assured that Bangladesh is ready to join any initiative at the regional and global level dealing with the impacts of climate change. “I call upon for coordinated global efforts and shared vision for climate adaptation, mitigation and resilient infrastructures,” she said. She said that commitment and compliance on financing mechanisms are indispensable for addressing the unforeseen crises. “A greater sense of solidarity among governments, international and regional organisations, private sectors are required to build a sustainable and resilient future for all of us,” she said. At the same time, she said, "we need to bring changes in our way of thinking in this discourse by incorporating science, technology, innovation, resilient transition." She reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to working with the global community hand in hand to ensure a better world for all. The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2023 brings a purposeful focus on demonstrable solutions towards a call for action to realize resilience of infrastructure. ICDRI 2023 will engage decision-makers, thought leaders, academia and institutions from across the world working on solutions for infrastructure resilience. PM Hasina said that due to the adverse impacts of climate change, all are facing unpredictable climatic events and disasters, which are damaging establishments and resources in massive scales. “Strong and resilient physical infrastructure is needed to withstand and adapt to changing conditions, and from shocks and stresses.” Recently, she said that the world has witnessed a series of catastrophes like massive earthquakes in Turkey, Syria and Afghanistan, hurricanes in the Caribbean, the US and Canada and flood in South Africa. Last year, she mentioned that Bangladesh, experienced a series of natural disasters, including floods and cyclones, causing huge economic losses. “It is important that all future infrastructure construction and systems must be resilient to disasters to protect our investments," she stated. She said that as one of the most climate vulnerable countries, Bangladesh experiences frequent natural calamities like flood, tidal surge, cyclone, storm, drought and thunderbolt. “IPCC report 2022 predicts, Bangladesh is at the risk of 2 to 9 per cent of GDP losses by the mid and end of the century due to climate change," she noted. She said that In 2009, her government established the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund with own resources where nearly 800 projects have so far been implemented at a cost of USD 480 million. During the recent Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh launched Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to build a climate resilient prosperous country, she added. She said that In 2022, the government launched the National Adaptation Plan, with a projected need for USD 230 billion by 2050. Earlier, it formulated a long-term Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 with the aim of building a resilient and prosperous delta for our future generations. “My government now attaches importance to science-based infrastructure design and implementation. We recognise the need for involving our local communities to make the infrastructures work for them,” she said. In this regard, she said that the government has implemented a thousand flood control, drainage and irrigation schemes to cover more than 6 million hectares of land. It has conducted dredging and re-excavation of 1,400 kms of rivers. “We have built nearly 22,000 km of embankments, alongside 139 coastal polders. These infrastructures are giving protection to more than 20 million flood vulnerable people. We have so far conducted 1,229 km of riverbank protection work.” For disaster response, she mentioned that Bangladesh has 4,530 cyclone shelters, some of which also serve as schools in regular times. “We are now constructing 550 Mujib Killas on raised grounds for multiple uses, including sheltering people and livestock during natural calamities.” Under the flagship Ashrayan project, she said, her government has so far built over 700,000 houses and those were handed over to the landless and homeless people at free of cost. “These houses are strong enough to endure any natural disaster. We have also built 139 five-storey buildings in Cox’s Bazar to rehabilitate climate-displaced people," The PM said that her government is scaling up nature-based solutions like coastal green belts, floating vegetable cultivation and millions of palm tree plantation. “We are using our local-level trained volunteers as well as digital information and service centres to provide early warning. As a result of our actions, the number of deaths due to natural disasters has decreased significantly in recent years," she said. The global community also recognised the efforts of Bangladesh and as recognition, the country has been awarded with ‘Champion of the Earth’ and many more accolades, she said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the unprecedented development of Bangladesh has been possible due to unhindered democratic process since 2008. “After being elected in 2008 election, there has been unhindered democratic process prevailing in the country.  The development that is being witnessed right now has been possible for this,” she said. The prime minister said this in a programme organised to distribute Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) to nine individuals and one institution in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country. The programme to give away the highest civilian award was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Sheikh Hasina mentioned that after 1975 the democracy of the country was halted several times.  “The democratic process could not continue smoothly and there was no sustainable democratic process. As a result Bangladesh could not advance at its desired level,” she said. She also raised question regarding the way of thinking of the rulers of that time (after 1975). The PM said that the sacrifices of martyrs who laid down their lives for the country’s independence can’t go in vain. “… their blood and sacrifice can’t go in vain , we will not allow that, that is our promise and pledge,” she said. ICDDRB Senior Director Dr Firdausi Qadri expressed her feelings from among the award winners. Read more: PM Hasina hands over Independence Award among this year's winners The premier urged all to work unitedly for establishing a developed and smart Bangladesh through implementing the long-term perspective plan that seeks to develop manpower skilled in science and technology. “Bangladesh has witnessed desired development as the Awami League government has been working with a proper plan,” she said. Describing great sacrifices required to achieve something great, she mentioned that the government is achieving successes one after another due to its sincere and well planned work for the cause of the country and its people. Referring to various conspiracies against the country like false accusation of corruption in Padma Bridge construction, the PM said, Bangladesh would move ahead overcoming all such hurdles. She mentioned her government’s success in building Padma Bridge with the country’s own fund which proved that “Bangladesh too can” and “none can suppress Bangladesh” Hasina gave chronological history of country’s emergence as an independent state starting from the 1952 Language Movement to the War of liberation in 1971 under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Referring to the regimes of anti-liberation forces after 15th August tragedy in 1975, the PM said, democracy of the country was disrupted, while the illegal power grabbers distorted history of the victorious nation and the spirit of the War of Liberation.   Coming to power after long 21 years the Awami League began working to develop the country with the ideals and spirit of the independence war. The prime minister noted that her government has been able to establish Bangladesh as a developing country in the golden jubilee year of independence in 2021. Steps have also been taken to develop the children as skilled and efficient work force through science-and-technology-based education, she said, adding that the government is distributing free books, providing the students stipends and sub-stipends for their education. The PM said that poverty rate in the country has already come down to 20 percent from over 40 percent. “The nation would get a good news on further reduction of poverty soon as the collection of information and data is progressing.” Pointing out the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war, Hasina said, her government is doing everything possible to mitigate the sufferings of the people even though the entire world is going through hardship. Referring to her government’s Delta Plan-2100, the PM said it has been formulated to establish smart Bangladesh overcoming the adverse impact of the climate change so that the new generations can live with dignity.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the filmmakers to produce life-oriented decent movies to keep the people away from wrongdoings and offenses in the society. “The life-oriented arts and cinemas attract the people much. The reason is that the people get the reflection of their own life from there. A cinema can change the life of a person or a society,” she said. The premier said this while distributing the National Film Awards 2021 to the 35 winners under different categories in recognition of their contributions to the film industry. The award giving ceremony was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the city.  Hasina said cinema and drama have an impact everywhere. “Cinema and drama can enrich the thoughts and spirits of the people and keep the people away from unjust and offense,” she said. In this context, she asked the artists and litterateurs to write life-oriented articles, dramas and literatures so that such movies can be produced to improve the society further. The PM said a number of good movies were produced in the recent days which have become of international standard and popular in the country. She said once there were dirty and imitated cinemas here. It needs to take the good things and avoid bad things, not imitating other movies. “We need some decent cinemas so that a person sitting with parents, brothers and sisters can watch it together,” she said. While making any movie, the filmmaker needs to consider what is good for society, she said. The premier stressed the need for production of good children’s films and conservation of old movies by making their digital versions. “We’re lagging behind in (production of) children's films. Good films need to be made for children. Those who make children's films need to be given good fund,” she said. She also put emphasis on raising the amount of government funds from Tk 25 lakh (for a full length film) and Tk 20 lakh (for a short film)  to get quality movies. Information and Broadcasting Minister  Hasan Mahmud presided over the event, while chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Hasanul Haq Inu and Information Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker spoke on the occasion. Read more: PM hands over Nat’l Film Awards to 35 recipients The award is considered to be one the most prestigious prizes given for films in Bangladesh. This year eminent artistes Doly Jahur and Ilias Kanchan jointly got the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for their contributions to the film industry. Matiya Banu Shuku’r "Lal Moroger Jhuti" and Rezwan Shahriar Sumit's "Nonajoler Kabbo" jointly bagged the best film award. 'Dhar', directed by Aka Reza Ghalib, received the best short film award, while 'Bodhobhumite Ekdin' directed by Kawsar Chowdhury got the best documentary award. Rezwan Shahriar Sumit was conferred with the 'Best Director' award for "Nonajoler Kabbo" film, while Siam Ahmed and Mir Sabbir Mahmud were jointly given the best actor award for leading role in film 'Mridha Bonam Mridha' and 'Raatjaga Fool’ respectively. Ajmeri Haque and Tasnova Tamanna jointly received the best actress award for the films 'Rehana Maryam Noor’ and 'Nona Joler Kabbo' respectively. Fazlur Rahman Babu got the best-supporting role award for the film ''Nona Joler Kabbo' while Shampa Reza bagged the best supporting actress award for the film 'Padma Puran'. Md Abdul Mannan (Joyraj) was awarded best actor for a negative role in the film 'Lal Moroger Jhuti'. Probhash Kumar Bhattacharya (Milon) got the award for comedy  in the film 'Mridha Bonam Mridha.' Afia Tabassum (Afia Jahin Jayma) won the best child artiste award for the film 'Rehana Maroam Nur', while a special award in the children division went to Jannatul Mawa Jhilik for the film 'Ja Harie Jai'. Sujeyo Sham bagged the best music director's award for 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon' film. KM Abdullah Al Murtaza Muhin won the award in the best singer category for film 'Padma Puran', while the best singer female award went to Chandana Majumder (film 'Padma Puran'). The best lyricist award went to the late Gazi Mazharul Anwar for the song in 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon' film. Sujeyo Sham won the best composer award for the film 'Joiboti Kanyar Mon'. The best story writer award went to Rezwana Shahriar Sumit for the film 'Nona Joler Kabbo'. Pinky Akter received the special film award for her “Tungi Parar Miya Bhai’ film produced about the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandu Sheik Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary. The other award winners are: Nurul Alam Atik (screenwriter), Towqir Ahmed (dialogue), Samir Ahmed (best editing), Shihab Nurun Nabi (best art direction), Syed Kashef Shahbazi, Sumon Kumar Sarkar and Mazharul Islam Razu (jointly for best cinematographer), Shaiba Talukder (sound designer), Idila Kasrin Farid (costume and design) and Md Farukh and Md Farhad Reza Milon jointly won the best makeup artists award.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the need for promoting sports and games among the youth to groom up their mind and talents. “The minds and talents of our children will flourish as much as we can spread sports and games among them. Their physical health will be developed further and their mind will be liberal,” she said. The premier said this while opening the final round of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Game 2023 in the city. The curtain of the week-long final round was lifted at Bangladesh Army Stadium in Banani after the successful conclusion of the inter-upazila and inter-district phases, held from January 02 to 22, 2023.  Hasina said the sports and games create a competitive attitude among the youth which will finally help them gain further enrichment and competence in sports, games and every case of their lives. She said this is why her government paid special attention to sports and games immediately after coming to power. The PM said the AL government introduced inter-school, inter-college, inter-university competitions. “So, sports and games in our country are getting enriched enough. We're able to take part in different international sports competitions,” she added. She said her government wants to increase the participation of Bangladeshis athletes in various international competitions in a larger way by creating skilled players alongside developing the socio-economic condition of Bangladesh. Read more: Doing our best to keep economy going amid global recession: PM Hasina “Today our goal is to build a smart Bangladesh,” she said, expressing hope that the Smart Bangladesh would create smart players so that Bangladesh can achieve the qualification to attend any global competition. Recalling the contribution of her family members particularly Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Hasina described Kamal as a versatile person. Kamal was simultaneously involved in cricket, football, hockey and other different sports. She said he (Sheikh Kamal) founded Abahani Krira Chakra and he took initiative to engage the young generation in sports and games in a larger way.     “His talents are imprinted in every field. He introduced the modern football game here, founding Abahani Krira Chakra,” she said. Hasina said this youth game will add a new dimension as a platform to find out future sports stars. Some 4000 (Under-17) promising athletes are taking part in the final round of the mega sports event for the 193 gold, 193 silver and 287 bronze. Meanwhile, both the men's and women's football competitions of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 held on the opening day of the meet at two city separate venues in the capital. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel and President of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed spoke at the opening ceremony while BOA General Secretary Syed Shahed Reza delivered the welcome speech. BOA organised the Youth Games for the first time in 2018. The main motto of the Games was to select future players for national teams in various disciplines and to groom the talents of young athletes.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday inaugurated the final round of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 in the capital. The curtain of the week-long final round was lifted at Bangladesh Army Stadium in Banani after the successful conclusion of the inter-upazila and inter-district phases, held from January 02 to 22, 2023. Some 4,000 (Under-17) promising athletes are taking part in the final round of the meet for the 193 gold, 193 silver and 287 bronze. They are competing under 24 disciplines including individual and team in the second edition of sports event. Meanwhile, both the men's and women's football competitions of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 held on the opening day of the meet at two city separate venues in the capital. Read more: Doing our best to keep economy going amid global recession: PM Hasina Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) organised the Youth Games for the first time in 2018. The main motto of the Games was to select future players for national teams in various disciplines and to groom the talents of young athletes. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel and BOA President General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed spoke at the opening ceremony, while BOA General Secretary Syed Shahed Reza delivered the welcome speech.

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.