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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday (NY Times) gave utmost importance on dialogue to resolve crises and disputes and urged the world community to stop the arms race, war and sanctions for building a peaceful world, reports BSS.
She said, "We want the end of the Ukraine-Russia conflict."
Hasina noted that in punishing one country with sanctions, and counter-sanctions, the entire world including women and children are being punished.
"Its impact is not limited to a country, rather puts the lives and livelihoods of the people in greater risk, infringe their human rights; people are deprived of food, shelter, healthcare and education."
"Children suffer the most in particular. Their future is lost in darkness."
"My urge to the conscience of the world community- stop the arms race, war, and sanctions, ensure food and security of the children; build peace," she said.
She made the call while delivering her speech at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters.
Hasina said, "We believe that antagonism like war or economic sanctions, counter-sanctions can never bring good to any nation," she said, adding "Dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and disputes."
"We believe without addressing root causes of conflict, we cannot sustain peace," she continued.
Sheikh Hasina said, "We share one planet, and we owe it to our future generations to leave it in a better shape."
As the world begins to recover from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic over the past two and a half years, Sheikh Hasina said, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has plunged the world into a collective uncertainty.
"Growing food insecurity, energy and economic crisis are affecting us all," she said.
Hasina observed that countries that are already in vulnerable situations needing support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will now face even more challenges to achieve the SDGs.
"Today we've reached a critical time when mutual solidarity must be shown more than at any time in the past. We need to prove that in times of crisis, the UN is the cornerstone of the multilateral system," she said, adding "Therefore, in order to gain the trust and confidence of the people at all levels, the UN must lead from the front and work to fulfil the expectations of all."
In this context, she mentioned the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRC) and said "as a champion of this group, I am working with other world leaders to determine a global solution commensurate with the gravity and depth of the current situation".
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh is fully committed to complete disarmament, including the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and that is why it has ratified the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2019. "We've consistently implemented our commitment to peacekeeping operations", she added.
As a reflection of our peace-centric foreign policy, she said Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated its commitment to UN peacekeeping operations as the leading troops and police contributing country, presently being the largest.
They (peacekeepers) help maintain peace, support capacity building of national and local institutions, protect the civilians from harm, empower women and other vulnerable communities and build a sustainable society, she said, adding that while performing their duties, many of them died.
The Bangladesh Premier said as the current Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, her country is doing their part by creating a platform for multi-stakeholder engagements in support of the conflict-affected countries.
"We are committed to continue our efforts in strengthening the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda," she said.
Mentioning that Bangladesh has adopted a "zero tolerance" policy on terrorism and violent extremism in its land, she said, "We do not allow our territory to be used by any party to incite or cause terrorist acts or harm to others."
She also called upon the member states to work together for the conclusion of an internationally binding instrument to tackle cyber-crimes and cyber-violence.
Mentioning the brutal and pathetic tragedy of her life on 15 August 1975 when her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of her family members were killed, she said "So, myself as a sufferer, I can rightly realize the pain and agony that people endure due to the horrors of war, killings, coups and conflicts."
She said "Therefore, I don't want war, I want peace, I want welfare for humankind. I want economic development for people. I want to ensure a peaceful world, developed and prosperous life for future generations."
She continued "My earnest appeal to you, 'stop the war, stop arms race'. May the values of humanity be upheld."
"Let us join our hands together and build a better future leaving no one behind," she added.
Hasina called upon the United Nations and the global leaders to take effective measures for sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas, warning the global community that if the problem persists further it may affect stability and security beyond its region.
The premier told the gathering of world leaders that last month Bangladesh witnessed the five years of the 2017 mass exodus of the Rohingyas to Bangladesh from their home country.
"Not a single Rohingya was repatriated to their ancestral home Myanmar, despite our bilateral engagements with Myanmar, discussions with partners in trilateral format and engagements with the UN and other partners to assist Myanmar to create necessary conditions for safe and dignified repatriation," she said with great concern.
To ensure a permanent solution to the Rohingya issue, she said "I shall now seek your attention to the forcibly displaced Rohingya peoples from Myanmar."
The Prime Minister said the prolonged presence of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh has caused serious ramifications on the economy, environment, security, and socio-political stability in Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister said that the impact of climate change is one of the biggest threats to humankind. "In the past, we have seen a vicious cycle of promises being made and broken. We must now change this course."
In Bangladesh, she said, the government has led to many transformative measures to tackle the perilous impacts of climate change consistent with implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
During Bangladesh's Presidency of Climate Vulnerable Forum, Sheikh Hasina said that they've launched the "Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan", which aims to put Bangladesh on a sustainable trajectory from "one of vulnerability to resilience to climate prosperity".
She added that "We are ready to support other vulnerable countries to develop their own prosperity plans. I call on world leaders to promote inclusive climate action."
Since the beginning of the pandemic in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said that her government has taken strategies to contain this crisis mainly focusing on three aspects.
Mentioning that vaccination is the key to a safe transition from the pandemic, Sheikh Hasina thanked the World Health Organization and its COVAX system and partner countries for providing this vaccine.
As of August 2022, 100 percent of the eligible population of Bangladesh have been vaccinated, she added.
The greatest lesson, learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic is that "Until we all are safe, no one is safe," she said, adding "We must use the hard-earned lessons to stimulate critical and much-needed reforms of our institutions, including of the United Nations, to better prepare for such calamities in the future."
The Premier said that Bangladesh is interested in looking for transformative solutions to poverty alleviation, mitigating climate change effects, preventing conflicts and finance, energy and fuel crises that the world is grappling with now.
"However, we need to understand the fact that socio-economic development cannot be achieved without ensuring peace and stability," she added.
The 77th session of the UNGA is taking place from September 13 to 27 at the UN Headquarters in New York, in the first in-person format since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic with heads of states and governments from 193 Member States.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
