The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is architecturally designed to define the core role in shaping international norms and the codification of laws as the primary forum for contemplation and representation within the United Nations (UN). Annually, from September to December, thousands of diplomats, advocates, and over 100 world leaders gather in the UNGA’s multilateral arena.
One of the event’s standout features is the General debate, where global leaders share their perspectives on the future of the international order. This year, the debate is slated to begin on September 19 and run until September 26 under the theme: “Rebuilding Trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for all.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on 17 September on a VVIP flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, scheduled for 9:45 am to take part in the 78th edition of the UNGA debate. After a four-hour layover at Heathrow Airport in London, the flight is expected to land on New York’s JFK International Airport at 10:50 pm (New York time) on Sunday. She will deliver a speech representing Bangladesh during the general debate on the 22nd of September from 1 pm to 2 pm local time.
Key issues to be addressed at the UNGA
The 2023 SDG Summit will serve as the launchpad for a heightened phase of progress toward the 17 SDGs, driven by high-level political guidance, and aimed at achieving transformative actions before 2030. The focal issues of this year’s UNGA align with the key agendas of Bangladesh. Prime Minister will shed light on:
- Bangladesh’s Development Progress
- Success in the Health Sector
- World Peace and Security
- Safe Migration
- Establishment of Climate Justice
- Ongoing Food and Energy adversity
- Women’s Empowerment
Spotlight on the Rohingya crisis
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, who will be joining the Prime Minister, emphasized, “We are now entering the sixth year of the Rohingya crisis, and despite numerous bilateral and multilateral efforts, the expected solution for the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar remains elusive. Bangladesh remains deeply committed to ensuring the safe return of Rohingyas, and to reiterate this commitment to the international community, we have organized a ‘High-level side event on Rohingya Crisis,’ where the Prime Minister will deliver a speech.”
The event has multiple co-hosts, including Canada, Gambia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the European Union.
President Biden to host PM Hasina at UNGA Side Event
As part of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) events, President Joe Biden has requested the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a reception scheduled for September 19.
“We’ve been offered the opportunity to join President Biden’s reception, courtesy of an invitation from the US. Our attendance, however, is contingent on her health condition, and we anticipate making a last-minute decision due to the extensive queue,” the Foreign Minister reiterated.
Anticipated High-Level Meetings
Bilateral discussions with World Leaders
There is a possibility that the Bangladesh premier will convene bilateral talks with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark and President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka at the Bilateral Booth in UNHQ. Furthermore, she is anticipated to have discussions with the prime ministers of Malaysia and Thailand.
Hungary and Kazakhstan are set to ink several agreements/memoranda of understanding with Bangladesh.
Insights From the 77th UNGA Summit
During the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina validated that Bangladesh has unwaveringly embraced the doctrine of non-alignment from the moment of its independence. This enduring commitment is deeply rooted in the foreign policy principles articulated by Bangladesh’s founding Father, which emphasize “friendship to all, malice towards none.”
Additionally, she emphasized the profound impact of conflicts on marginalized groups such as women, children, and refugees. She passionately called for an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, contending that it puts the lives and livelihoods of people across the globe at risk and violates their fundamental human rights.
Bangladesh aspires to global harmony
Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed Bangladesh’s historical role in effectively contributing to UN peacekeeping missions, underscoring the nation’s steadfast commitment to comprehensive disarmament and peacekeeping operations. She emphasized that Bangladesh consistently dispatches the largest contingent of soldiers and police to UN peacekeeping efforts, highlighting the nation’s dedication to global peace. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of addressing the fundamental drivers of violence for the preservation of peace.
Navigating through the global economic storm
Bangladesh is among the world’s top five fastest-growing economies and ranks forty-first in GDP. It has successfully reduced its poverty rate from 31.5 percent to 20.5 percent in the past decade, with per capita income tripling to $2,824. By 2041, Bangladesh plans to transform into a knowledge-based developed nation, and by 2100, it aims to create a thriving and climate-resilient delta. Despite the pandemic, in fiscal years 2020-21, Bangladesh’s GDP still increased by 6.94 per cent.
A Guiding Light for Rohingya Refugees
Sheikh Hasina stressed that despite the ongoing bilateral engagement with Myanmar, not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to their ancestral homes. The country has chosen a peaceful approach to resolve this humanitarian crisis, working for the greater good and global peace. “Having personally experienced suffering, I can deeply empathize with the hardships and agony caused by war, massacres, coups, and conflicts,” she stated.
Bangladesh is a global climate change leader
While leading the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh introduced the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, aimed at enhancing climate resilience and crafting gender-sensitive policies for natural disasters. The nation also stressed the necessity of aligning actions with both the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals to tackle the adverse effects of climate change.
To sum up, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s address at the UNGA serves as a testament to her dedication to global peace, alongside showcasing Bangladesh’s notable achievements. She thoroughly explored Bangladesh’s multifaceted engagement in diverse sectors, presenting a comprehensive view of the nation’s progress. Her appeal for a more compassionate world underscores the power of leadership in addressing global crises and emphasizes that unity is humanity’s collective call to action.
