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PM Hasina leaves Dhaka to attend 77th UNGA
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday morning left here for the United Kingdom en route to New York to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
A VVIP chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:35am.
Read: UNGA: PM to highlight importance of multilateralism, resolving global issues through discussions
The flight is scheduled to land at London Stansted International Airport at 4:45 pm local time. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Saida Muna Tasneem will receive her at the airport.
Sheikh Hasina will leave London for New York immediately after joining the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19. She will stay in the USA till October 02.
During her stay in the UK, Secretary General of Commonwealth Patricia Scotland, UK Minister for South Asia and North Africa Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Leader of the Opposition Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer will also pay courtesy calls on her separately.
Besides, the Bangladesh PM will attend a reception to be hosted by the King of the United Kingdom at Buckingham Palace for the Heads of the States or the governments.
Sheikh Hasina will fly off London for New York in the evening of September 19 and her flight is scheduled to land at the JFK International Airport on the same day.
She will join the opening session of the UNGA debate on September 20 and will address the 77th UN general assembly on September 23 (between 4:30pm and 5:30pm local time) in the United Nations headquarters in New York.
While in New York, she will also hold talks with a number of leaders and attend different high-level events from September 20 to 24.
On September 20, Hasina is scheduled to attend the reception to be hosted by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the opening session of 77th UNGA debate, the reception to be hosted by US president Joe Biden and an event titled ‘the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders.’
Read: New horizon opened: PM says about her India visit
She will have separate meetings with Slovenian President Borut Pahor and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Filippo Grandi on the same day.
On September 21, the PM will join a high-level event on sustainable housing (which will be co-hosted by Bangladesh, Botswana, Slovak Republic and UN Habitat) and Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) Champions’ Meeting, and open a photo exhibition on Padma Bridge at the UNHQs.
She will have separate bilateral meetings with Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso Mendoza on the same day.
Besides, WEF Executive Director Professor Schwab Klaus and UN Under-Secretary-General (USG, OHRLLS) Rabab Fatima will separately pay courtesy calls on Sheikh Hasina on September 21.
On September 22, the Bangladesh premier is scheduled to join a breakfast meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), high-level event on Rohingya issue and a high level policy roundtable with the US-Bangladesh joint business council.
She will have a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and two separate meetings with IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino, and ICC prosecutors Nick Klegg and Karim Khan on the same day.
Read:Didn’t return empty-handed: PM on her India visit
On September 23, the Prime Minister will deliver her address at the 77th UNGA general debate.
Besides, she will join a civic reception accorded to her by the expatriate Bangladeshis on September 24.
Then she will leave New York for Washington DC and will stay there till October 02.
PM Hasina is scheduled to return home in the early hours of October 04 after a short stopover in London on her way from Washington.
Global Covid cases cross 615 million
The overall number of global Covid cases has now crossed 615 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 615,399,678 while the death toll reached 6,523,007 on Thursday morning.
The US has recorded 97,340,016 cases so far and 1,077,477 people have died from the virus in the country, both highest counts around the world.
India recorded 5,108 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,510,057, showed the federal health ministry data released on Wednesday.
With the reporting of fresh cases, India's active caseload currently stands at 45,749.
Also read: Bangladesh logs 421 more Covid cases, zero death
The country also logged 31 more Covid- related deaths in 24 hours, taking the total toll to 528,216 since the beginning of the pandemic, the health ministry said.
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported one more Covid-linked death and 402 cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,336 and caseload to 2,016,175, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate decreased to 8.41 percent from Monday's 10.55 percent as 4,781 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent and the recovery rate recovery rate dropped to 97.19 percent.
Dhaka's air quality remains 'moderate'
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'moderate' zone on Thursday, thanks to intermittent late monsoon showers for the past few days.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 55 at 8.50 am, the metropolis ranked 38th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Vietnam's Hanoi, Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates' Dubai occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 158, 156 and 154, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Also read: Dhaka's air quality remains 'unhealthy'
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Green Economy in Bangladesh: Prospects and Challenges
The green economy is a new way of living that is based on sustainable consumption and production. In recent years, the concept of a green economy has been getting widely accepted in many countries. To make the green economy a reality in Bangladesh, there are some challenges that are needed to be addressed.
One challenge is the lack of access to clean energy, which makes it difficult for people to live sustainably. However, the Bangladeshi Government has already implemented sound policies that would help promote the green economy. Let’s focus on the problems and prospects of the green economy in Bangladesh.
What is the Green Economy?
The green economy is a term that refers to a way of living that is environmentally friendly and economically sustainable. It refers to practices and policies that promote green energy production, consumption, and waste reduction.
Green economy initiatives can be focused on a specific sector or area, such as renewable energy, transportation, agriculture, city planning, or manufacturing. The Green Economy has been growing in popularity since the term was used in a 1989 report by a group of leading environmental economists, which was made for the Government of the United Kingdom.
Read Renewable energy: 40% target ‘ambitious, but roadmap absent’
In 2008, the United Nations Environment Program started the Green Economy Initiative (GEI). The objective was to strengthen support for environment-friendly investments. One of the aims of the initiative was to increase support at the country level for global risk studies and influence policy-makers to implement green economy programs.
Prospects of Green Economy in Bangladesh
Generally, the financial sector of a country supports the economic growth of that country. So, if the activities of the financial industry are carried out with proper preparation and sincerity, the expansion of the green economy can be another development wonder in Bangladesh.
The population in Bangladesh is increasing day by day. And the use of technology in various stages of product production by various organizations is increasing to keep pace with the increased demand. Hence, the standard of cleanliness of the environment is decreasing.
Read Jashore waste treatment plant makes a big difference
These eventually increase the unexpected costs related to health, loss of biodiversity, carbon emissions, irreparable damage to the ecosystem, surface temperature, climate change, heavy rainfall, non-rainfall, cold currents, etc.
To cope with these issues, the development of a green economy can bring solutions as well as opportunities for exploration within a natural and healthy natural environment.
Green communication, green agriculture, green energy, green banking, green technology, green investment, green marketing, green industry, working environment, transportation, biogas, and geothermal energy all are directly related to a green economy.
Read UNGA chief calls for shift to green economies on Mother Earth Day
However, Bangladesh is not yet ready to apply all of these to improve the green economy. It is a costly and slow process. But the country has some prospects in some sectors such as using solar energy, recycling the used product, green agriculture and using biogas.
Bangladesh can increase the use of solar energy. With the proper use of endless light and heat from the sun, we can create an environment-friendly country in the coming days through various effective measures. Fossil fuel reserves are not infinite, and they will be finished.
But solar energy is derived from nature, a great gift of nature. Encouraging the principle of conservation of natural resources derived from nature ensures habitable earth for future generations.
Read What can COP27 do for climate vulnerable countries?
Moreover, renewable energy can be derived from ocean waves, water, and wind without any negative environmental impact. Thus, renewable energy generation, supply, and technological excellence will create jobs as well as create an environmentally friendly modern country. The growth and expansion of green employment depend on ensuring abundant use of renewable energy.
Converting the environment and destroying waste into incredible energy resources will be the wealth of our future by processing the remaining unnecessary part of daily used products.
Because excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in unplanned agricultural management creates dire conditions. Therefore, the idea of green agriculture is the right decision for the coming future. Using green fertilizer and chemical-free fertilizer helps retain land fertility and increase fertility simultaneously with greater quantity on less land.
Read BGMEA seeks faster delivery of raw materials through green channel
Safe crop production is key. This system talks about all environmentally friendly production and production systems, including the use of organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers, diversification of crops, and production of mixed crops. In this regard, encouraging the production and more use of biogas will lead the country toward risk-free environmental development.
Challenges of Green Economy in Bangladesh
The government has taken several important steps to take the green economy forward, which is very positive. But there are many challenges too.
Costly
Green factory installation costs can be up to 30% more than a conventional factory because pleasing production process, energy-efficient technology, water conservation technology, solar panel technology, inverter technology, and rainwater harvesting results in greater construction costs.
Read Bangladesh fails to exploit full potentials of green energy: Official documents
Moreover, industries need to utilize foreign consulting companies because of the absence of qualified professionals in the local area, which increases construction costs a lot. It, therefore, becomes quite hard to reach green economically.
Lack of Policy
Bangladesh has not issued a specific green industrial policy declaration. The high rates of corporate tax and value-added tax are also creating an obstacle to green industrialization, which also makes it challenging to import high-end machinery from abroad.
Lack of Awareness
Consumer behavior is additionally a tricky component in green industry development. The local consumers are poorly informed about the importance of going green. Demand for green products is from simply the western business world. As a result, only export-oriented enterprises are motivated to transition from green industries.
Read Davos climate focus: Can ‘going green’ mean oil and gas?
Other Challenges
Land scarcity, a high-interest cost of loans, insufficient transportation options, insufficient infrastructure for utility services, and other problems can be obstacles to the establishment of green industries in Bangladesh.
Taken Steps to Establish a Green Economy in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh government has already taken several steps to go green. The Government has already approved the 'Renewable Energy Authority Act' in 2012. Coastal green belt development activities have been undertaken. Also, adopted a five-year waiver on the commercial production of renewable energy.
The Bangladesh government has also taken steps to set up solar power and biogas plants. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project was launched in 2013 to make organic compost fertilizer from municipal waste. To reduce air pollution from brick kilns, instructions have been given to convert old brick kilns to modern eco-friendly technology.
Read Bangladesh, Denmark sign document to strengthen partnership on green transition
Banks have now stopped lending to old brick kilns. A rapid expansion program has been undertaken to set up solar power and biogas plants. Environment courts have been set up in all districts. The government has already taken several steps to encourage farmers to use organic fertilizers. The country has already earned carbon credits by launching a project to produce bio-fertilizers from waste and use solar energy in some villages.
Bangladesh Bank has launched a refinancing program for entrepreneurs to produce green products. Between 2012 and 2016, Bangladesh Bank almost doubled its capital (from Tk 478 million to Tk 920 million) in refinancing green products. Sectors receiving the highest amount of loans under this initiative are—eco-friendly brick kilns, renewable energy, and liquid waste management.
Moreover, Bangladesh Bank has prepared environmental and social risk management policies. Through this policy, green financing initiatives have been taken. The organization is also working on identifying the risks of financing entrepreneurs involved in the production of toxic carbon monoxide and turning them green.
Read RMG: BGMEA, Jeanologia to collaborate on promoting green technologies
Final Words
Both economic growth and environmental conservation are essential for a country. There is no other way to establish a green economy in Bangladesh to make it suitable for living with development. As we are one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and the environment, it is important to quickly solve the problems by implementing a green economy. Because sustainable development is not possible without a green economy.
Four killed in Chattogram as covered van crashes into auto-rickshaw
At least four people have been killed and five, including an inspector of Highway Police, hurt in Chattogram's Mirsharai, where a collision took place close to one hour before midnight.
"Wednesday's accident occurred at 10:45pm at Dakshin Sonapahar of Zorarganj as a covered van crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. The identities of the deceased could not immediately be confirmed," Mohammad Khairul Alam, officer-in-charge of Zorarganj Police Station, told UNB.
Before that, there was a crash involving a Chattogram-bound bus and a Dhaka-bound lorry. Although there were no casualties, the drivers and passengers of the vehicles got into a heated debate.
A team of Highway Police went to the spot to calm things down. Also, four locals went to the scene on an auto-rickshaw. At this time, a covered van rammed into the vehicle and ran over Highway Police Inspector Monir Hossain, killing four on the spot.
"Locals rushed Monir to the hospital in a critical condition. He was later shifted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital as his condition worsened," Khairul said.
Also read: 8 killed in India elevator crash
No allocation for plans with roads less than 20 feet wide: Mayor Atiqul
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said on Wednesday that there would be no finance allocated for development plans with roads less than 20 feet wide.
“Financial allocation won’t be approved for carrying out development work with roads less than 20 feet wide,” he said.
Mayor Atiqul made the remarks while addressing a corporation meeting on the sixth floor of the Nagar Bhaban in the capital’s Ghulshan area as chief guest.
Warning of strict action against the perpetrators, he said coordinating with the corporation’s estate department to widen the roads is a must.
Besides, RAJUK will have to be informed in writing about the development work of the road, he said, adding that any road gets narrowed due to illegal occupation.
At the meeting, different issues including halting the movement of illegal battery-run auto-rickshaws to save power, opening online councillor certificate system, issuing trade license, coordination with traffic police to reduce congestion, early removal of waste, cleaning waste drainage and shifting the Karwan Bazar kitchen market were discussed.
DNCC Secretary Mohammrd Masud Alam Siddique conducted the meeting where the corporation’s councillors, Chief Executive Officer Md Selim Reza, Chief Health Officer Bridger General Md Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Engineer Bridger General Muhammad Amirul Islam and Chief Waste Management Officer Cdre S M Sharif-Ul Islam were all present, among others.
Also read: No project to be allowed to continue unless public safety is ensured: Atiqul
EC's roadmap for next polls valueless: Chunnu
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Wednesday said the Election Commission's roadmap for the 12th parliamentary election is valueless.
He doubted that the Election Commission (EC) that has no power would be able to conduct a fair election.
As per the law, Chunnu said, the executive branch of the country is supposed to work under the EC during the polls, but nothing is mentioned about what will happen if the executive branch does not listen to the commission.
“So, the executive branch is not bound to obey the directives of the Election Commission,” the Jatiya Party leader said.
He said their party wanted the Election Commission to be empowered by enacting a law so that the commission can take immediate action if anyone disobeys its order. “But the Election Commission does not want to be empowered.”
Chunnu made the comments at the launching programme of an associate body of the Jatiya Party at its chairman’s Banani office.
Earlier in the day, the EC unveiled a roadmap for the 12th parliamentary election at a function at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban.
As per the roadmap, the general election will be held by January 29, 2024, using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 150 constituencies out of 300 across the country.
Chunnu said the Election Commission has been making contradictory comments since the beginning. “They’re saying that it's not their job to bring someone to the polls. Then why did you discuss so much with so many political parties? They said, if everyone wants, the election will be held through ballots. The ruling party wants the use of EVM. Then will the commission use EVMs ignoring the opinions of the majority of the parties?”
He said the Election Commission has decided to buy 2 lakh more EVMs to conduct elections in 150 seats alongside constructing 10 warehouses in 10 regions of the country for EVM storage and maintenance.
Read: Jatiya Party relieves Ranga from all party posts
“For this, the Election Commission has prepared a budget of about Tk9, 000 crore. Such a decision is unacceptable amid the economic crisis of the country,” the Jatiya Party leader observed.
Stating that the people of the country no longer want to see Awami League and BNP in power, he said the two major parties have failed to ensure good governance in the country. “People of the country want to see a third political force. Jatiya Party is trying to be that alternative force.”
Chunnu said Jatiya Party will not be there in any alliance as it is preparing to participate in the election in all three hundred seats. “The Jatiya Party will not go to anyone else's alliance. If any political force wants to join us under the leadership of Jatiya Party, we will consider it.”
I’m impressed with the work: Hasina on soon-to-released Bangabandhu biopic
Prime Minister Sheik Hasina has said that she is happy with the progress in the production of “Mujib: The Making of a Nation”, a biopic based on the life and work of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“I’m impressed with whatever has been done so far,” she said on Wednesday in reply to a question on the biopic during a press conference on her recent India visit at her official residence Ganobhavan.
She said the trailer of the film had been launched at the 75th Cannes Festival in France in May this year. “The screening at the prestigious Cannes Festival speaks of the quality of the work so far. Had it not been a work of quality they would not have shown it,” she observed.
Read: BFDC reveals primary cast for biopic on Bangabandhu
She added: “We have to keep in mind that portrayal of a great leader Bangabandhu is no easy task for any actor. How can you portray bring to live the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu and the high emotion associated with it?”
Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, said she remains in touch with the making of the biopic and its production team led by noted Indian film director Shyam Benegal.
The Bangladesh part of the shooting of the biopic has been completed, she said hoping that the much-anticipated film, a joint venture of Bangladesh and India, would hit the movie houses soon.
Bangladesh and India launched the project to mark “Muijib Borso”, the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, in 2020 and it is expected to be released by end of this year.
In the biopic Bangladeshi actor Arifin Shuvoo has played the role of Bangabandhu, while it has featured other popular actors like Nusrat Faria Mazhar, Nusrat Imroz Tisha and Sabila Nur.
Burglars loot Motijheel shop, escape with Tk10 lakh valuables, Tk3 lakh cash
Burglars looted valuables worth Tk10 lakh and Tk3 lakh in cash after breaking open the door of a car accessories shop in Dhaka's Motijheel early Wednesday, police said.
The burglars did the heist at Haroon Tyre and Battery Enterprise at 3:35am and stayed there for around 30 minutes when the shop was closed, closed circuit television camera footage showed.
Bahar Uddin Jasim, manager of the car accessories shop, said the looters took away 50 tyres, six batteries and Tk3.06 lakh in cash.
Read: 11 held while preparing to stage robbery in capital
"A case was filed over the incident. A search is underway to nab the burglars and recover the valuables," Mohammad Yasir Arafat Khan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Motijheel Police Station, said.
Such incidents of burglary also occurred at car accessories shops in Baridhara and Banasree in the past month, he added.
Didn’t return empty-handed: PM on her India visit
Describing her recent India visit successful Prime Minister Sheik Hasina on Wednesday said “I didn’t return empty-handed.”
The premier said this at a press conference held on her September 5-8 visit to India at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Replying to a question on what Bangladesh has got from the visit, the PM said it all depends on how one look at it.
“Bangladesh is going to get oil from India. The oil will be transported from Assam’s Numaligarh to our depot in the north through a pipeline which will also be built by India. Once the supply of oil starts, the economic activities of northern Bangladesh and the wellbeing of the people living there will get a boost,” the PM said.
She added that she also discussed with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi issue of LNG import from India.
Read: New horizon opened: PM says about her India visit
“The Khulna region faces acute gas crisis from time to time. We’re thinking of importing LNG from India through that region so that the people living in that part of the country can be directly benefitted from the availability of gas,” added Hasina.
During the briefing, PM Hasina termed the assurance of getting oil and gas from India as big accomplishments of her India visit