In her address during the recently concluded session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized key issues such as the Rohingya crisis, climate change, inclusive economic development, and various global and regional concerns. It is worth noting that this marked Sheikh Hasina’s seventeenth address to the UNGA, delivered in Bangla, following the tradition set by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in his speech on September 25, 1974
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The overarching theme of this year’s UNGA revolves around ‘Rebuilding Trust and Fostering Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action for the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, aiming at Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for All.’ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina actively participated in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly along with other high-level events.
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During her speech at this session, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ardently declared, “Today, in this session, I want to reaffirm unequivocally that Bangladesh is committed to advancing democracy, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring freedom of expression, in accordance with the Constitution of Bangladesh.”
EXCERPTS FROM PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINA’S SPEECH
During the conference, the Prime Minister addressed a range of crucial issues, including:
- The progress of Bangladesh in terms of development
- Achievements in the healthcare sector
- Global peace and security
- Ensuring safe migration
- The pursuit of climate justice
- Ongoing challenges related to food and energy resources
- The empowerment of women
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HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUALITY, AND JUSTICE
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina underscored the significance of safeguarding human rights while preventing their exploitation for political purposes, particularly concerning the undue pressure placed on developing nations. She eloquently acknowledged that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). On this momentous occasion, she articulated, “We must, on this auspicious occasion, recommit ourselves to our shared humanity and take collective action to advance equality, justice, and freedom for all individuals. Simultaneously, developing nations must ensure that human rights are not weaponized to exert pressure.”
The Prime Minister called upon the global community to unite in upholding human rights, equality, and justice principles, emphasizing this during a pivotal moment in her speech. She asserted that Bangladesh’s Constitution serves as a steadfast protector of fundamental human rights for all its citizens, stating, “Over the past decade, we have implemented significant legal reforms to ensure equal legal protection and access to justice for every individual. As a responsible nation, Bangladesh is wholeheartedly dedicated to safeguarding and promoting human rights.”
“Over the past decade, we have implemented significant legal reforms to ensure equal legal protection and access to justice for every individual. As a responsible nation, Bangladesh is wholeheartedly dedicated to safeguarding and promoting human rights”
In a significant announcement, the Prime Minister revealed Bangladesh’s active role as an elected member of the Human Rights Council, where the country collaborates closely with fellow member states in a collective effort to safeguard human rights globally. This announcement added a powerful climax to her speech, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to the universal cause of human rights and global harmony.
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CALL FOR AN UNITED AND JUST ECONOMIC SYSTEM
The Prime Minister emphasized, “To secure a future that is safe, peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable for all, we must collectively address the unique challenges we confront. To accomplish this, we must embrace unity, cooperation, and multilateralism in line with the principles of the United Nations and the 2030 Agenda.”
“In these tumultuous times, your call for a renewal of faith and revival resonates and is highly relevant,” She declared. She later invoked a poignant quote from the founder of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who, in his 1974 address to the UNGA, remarked, “The recent global economic crisis has created an opportunity for us to accelerate the establishment of a just international economic system. Achieving this transition requires a concerted effort, unity, and brotherhood among us.” Highlighting her government’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, the Prime Minister stated, “Since our government’s inception in 2009, we have made substantial investments in the well-being of our people, establishing an inclusive and modern democracy for the betterment of our nation. Following the path laid out by our nation’s founder, pragmatic policies, and visionary thinking, we have transformed Bangladesh from a low-income to a middle-income nation. We have significantly reduced extreme poverty from 41.5% in 2006 to 18.7% in 2022 and decreased the extreme poverty rate from 25.1% to 5.6%.”
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Additionally, she highlighted Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating, “Our success in accomplishing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and graduating to the status of a Developing Country with Graduation (DCG) demonstrates our unwavering dedication to sustainable development. However, challenges similar to those faced by Bangladesh exist in various countries worldwide, with the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters compounding these difficulties.”
STRATEGIC ACTIONS FOR ENSURING ECONOMIC STABILITY AND RESILIENCE
In response to these formidable challenges, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delineated the concerted efforts undertaken by her government to secure economic stability and foster resilience. She articulated, “In the face of these trials, we have made some resolute economic and policy choices to uphold fiscal discipline, preserve currency stability, and curb inflation. Furthermore, we have bolstered investments in social safety nets and directed targeted assistance towards agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other susceptible sectors.” Our social safety net umbrella has been expanded, extending its reach to nearly four billion individuals, both directly and indirectly.”
The Prime Minister also underscored the extension of social security initiatives to encompass marginalized groups, including women, widows, the elderly, disabled individuals, and the broader populace. An allocation of approximately USD 12 billion has been designated for the social security sector in the current fiscal year.
Regarding efforts to eliminate gender-based discrimination, Sheikh Hasina conveyed, “In our pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, we have accorded paramount significance to eradicating discrimination against women. Bangladesh stands committed to empowering women, ensuring gender parity, and fulfilling their aspirations within the prescribed timeframe. We are unwavering in our dedication to comprehensive education, with a particular emphasis on women’s education. Since 2010, we have been distributing free textbooks to students from primary to secondary education levels, offering scholarships, stipends, and onetime grants to approximately 253 million students, spanning from primary to higher education, with over half of them being women.”
“In our national budget, we have earmarked 30% for the social and economic empowerment of women. In the political sphere, we have guaranteed women’s representation at every echelon of governance, from the highest levels to the grassroots. Our aim is to achieve 50% participation of women by 2030, as called for by the UN General Assembly’s ‘Platform for Women Leaders.
GREEN INITIATIVE FOR A CLIMATE-RESILIENT BANGLADESH
“While our carbon emissions contribution to the global total stands at a mere 0.47%, Bangladesh is disproportionately impacted by the relentless forces of climate change. The adverse consequences of climate change pose a grave threat to our present and future generations, as well as our economic well-being. To confront this challenge, we must take bold and ambitious action.”
“Bangladesh is unwavering in its commitment to environmental preservation, safeguarding biodiversity, and fostering climate-resilient sustainable development. We are embarking on a national strategy aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon economy, known as the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan.’ Our journey is one of gradual transformation, evolving from a climate-vulnerable nation to one that is climate-resilient. Presently, more than six million people in Bangladesh rely on solar home systems, and we are diligently working towards adopting more sustainable energy solutions. Our goal is to derive 40% of our energy from renewable sources by the year 2041.”
“We earnestly call upon the major carbon-emitting nations to embrace and execute ambitious NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). Fulfilling the $100 billion financing pledge is imperative to address the development requirements of climate-endangered nations. It is paramount that we consider the developmental aspirations of these vulnerable nations. We are contending with the repercussions of rising sea levels, and we urgently seek to implement measures that address climate-induced phenomena such as erosion and salinity intrusion, along with factors like river erosion and cyclones that impact climate refugees residing in coastal regions.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina concluded by stating, “In our pursuit of climate resilience and adaptation, we are actively promoting the construction of dams, cyclone shelters, green belts, and afforestation in our coastal areas. In Cox’s Bazar, we are in the process of executing the world’s most extensive housing project for individuals affected by climate change, accommodating 4,409 vulnerable families within 139 multi-story buildings equipped with all essential amenities. Through our transformative initiative ‘Ashrayan,’ we have already provided free homes to nearly five million landless and homeless families.”
“We are also diligently implementing the ‘Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100,’ aimed at ensuring the safety, climate resilience, and prosperity of our delta through integrated delta management. Aligned with the principles of the Paris Agreement, Bangladesh is actively adopting low-carbon technologies through a range of green initiatives.” “In our relentless pursuit to combat climate change and enhance adaptation, our vision is clear: we aspire to evolve from a vulnerable nation into one that is truly climate-resilient. With more than six million people already benefiting from solar home systems, and our commitment to obtaining 40% of our energy from renewables by 2041, we are steadfastly working towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future.”
“We call upon the world’s major carbon emitters to adopt and implement ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and fulfill the $100 billion financing commitment for climate-vulnerable nations. It is vital to account for the development needs of these countries, especially in the face of imminent challenges such as sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, river erosion, cyclones, and the plight of climate refugees in coastal regions.”
“We have already provided free homes to nearly five million landless and homeless families”
– PM Sheikh Hasina
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THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a press conference in New York following her address at the United Nations. When asked about the recent changes in the US visa policy, she reassured that there is no need for apprehension or alarm. During her response, she also referred to the opposition party’s role in the matter.
She stated, “I’d like to remind those who seek to hinder that there was a time when there were 10 Hondas and 20 gangsters. However, that era has passed. The BNP [Bangladesh Nationalist Party] had resorted to creating one million fictitious voters. On February 15, Khaleda Zia assumed power without the support of genuine voters, and her tenure lasted only a brief one and a half months, ending due to public protests.” The Prime Minister went on to emphasize that the Awami League does not rely on external factors; instead, it comes to power through the electoral process, duly elected by the people. She concluded by asserting, “If the people vote, they have the power to determine who governs, and the Awami League stands ready to serve when chosen by the people.”
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FOCUS ON THE ROHINGYA CRISIS
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Accompanying the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen emphasized, “We are now embarking on the sixth year of the Rohingya crisis, and despite numerous efforts at both bilateral and multilateral levels, the anticipated resolution for the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar remains elusive. Bangladesh is deeply dedicated to ensuring the safe return of the Rohingyas, and to reaffirm this commitment to the global community, we have convened a ‘High-Level Event on the Rohingya Crisis.” This event boasts a consortium of co-hosts, including Canada, Gambia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the European Union.
A SNEAK PEEK INTO 2023’S OUTLOOK
- On September 17, 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina embarked on a journey to New York to participate in the 78th UNGA session
- On September 18, Sheikh Hasina delivered a keynote address at the UNIDO and Deloitte conference. On the same day, he also addressed the Leaders Dialogue 4 at the SDG Summit
- The Prime Minister graced a private dinner in celebration of the UN 2023 SDGs Summit on the evening of September 18
- September 19 marked his participation in the 78th high-level general debate during the UNGA session. On the same day, US President Joe Biden extended an invitation to Sheikh Hasina for a dinner event
- Throughout the eventful gathering, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina actively engaged in various highlevel side events, encompassing discussions on critical topics such as the Rohingya crisis, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), universal health, and finance
- On September 20, Sheikh Hasina took part in a high-level debate concerning Financing for Development (FfD) and joined the Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit. Simultaneously, she attended a high-level meeting focusing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, along with the annual meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders
- The following day, he participated in a high-level side event delving into the Rohingya crisis, attended a breakfast conference concerning sea-level rise, and engaged in a high-level meeting centered on universal health coverage
The Path of Bangladesh to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is Intrinsically Linked to the Legacy of its Founding Leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who delivered the inaugural Bangla address to the UNGA in 1974. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu’s Daughter, has continued this tradition of representation.
Over the years, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speeches at the UNGA have epitomized a multifaceted agenda. She has tirelessly championed the cause of global peace, security, and stability while concurrently advocating for the reduction of economic disparities between developed and developing nations to foster global development.
Her addresses have spanned a spectrum of intricate issues, including the pursuit of justice for past injustices, counter-terrorism initiatives, economic transformation, women’s empowerment, healthcare enhancement, climate change mitigation, and humanitarian crises such as the Rohingya refugee situation. These speeches have consistently underscored Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to international collaboration and the betterment of humanity as a whole.
As we look forward to 2023, Sheikh Hasina’s ongoing presence at the UNGA reaffirms Bangladesh’s dedication to addressing pressing global challenges. Its active participation in a diverse array of high-level events during the session underscores the nation’s commitment to finding solutions to contemporary issues spanning from climate change to epidemic prevention, universal health coverage, and sustainable development.
Bangladesh’s journey to the UNGA stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to world peace, progress, and solidarity—a testament echoing the visionary ideals of its founding leader and the indomitable spirit of its people.