PM stresses multilateral efforts to safeguard planet
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called after the global leaders to create multilateral efforts together to reduce inequity, exterminate poverty and protect the earth.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that no one is safe until everyone is safe. So as to reduce inequality, eradicate poverty and protect our world by reducing carbon emissions, we must interact and reinforce our multilateral efforts,” she said.
A prerecorded video speech of the premier was aired at a high level event in support of multilateralism titled “Demand action to bolster multilateralism” organised by the government of Spain.
Sheikh Hasina said, “In today’s globalized world, constructive multilateralism is not an option; it's the only way-out for a rules-based international order and common progress of humankind.”
Mentioning the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that the global prosperity is embedded in collective actions, unity and international cooperation, she said, “History proves that any deviation out of this united approach is only going to bring disastrous effects for the humankind.”
To face crisis due to the pandemic, the premier said, “We've so far allotted 14.14 Billion US Dollars, which is 4.3% of our GDP, to safeguard the livelihood of our people”.
Regardless of the impact of the pandemic, she said that Bangladesh’s GDP registered a 5.24 percent growth because of the government’s timely interventions.
She however opined that unless a multilateral effort is undertaken at the global level, global recovery won't commence and can never be sustainable.
The prime minister however expressed her resentment on the recent trend of protectionism and xenophobia in a few countries that may bring further sufferings for the innocent persons and adversely put effect on the relaxing multilateral environment.
“So, all of us should guard against this kind of activities which are detrimental to international peace, security and global development,” she opined.
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh is a flag bearer of multilateralism and strongly pursues international peace and security by its high presence in the UN Peacekeeping and peace building process.
She added: “We've adopted the ‘whole of the society’ approach in realizing the SDGs. We are equally committed to implementing the Paris Agreement.”
As such, Bangladesh has been honored to be chosen to lead the 48-member Climate Vulnerable Forum for the second time, Sheikh Hasina said, adding that, “We have also qualified to be graduated from LDC status where the UN system played an essential role. It reflects our commitment and rely upon multilateralism.”
Noting that Bangladesh has adopted the Political Declaration on 21st September to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN, she said, “In the declaration we laid emphasis on shared responsibility and collective efforts for our unified prosperity and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. However, to achieve the benefits out of these international instruments and understanding, strong multilateralism is necessary. “
The premier said that the spirit of multilateralism and international cooperation is enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh which says: “We may prosper in freedom and could make our full contribution towards international peace and cooperation commensurate with the progressive aspirations of mankind”.
She continued that Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also highlighted the value of collective efforts and the role of the UN in his statement at the UNGA in 1974.
“Bangabandhu said: ‘The US remains as the centre of expect the continuing future of the people nowadays of sadness, misery and conflict’. His comment still remains to be the bedrock of our multilateral engagements,” the prime minister continued saying.
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez spoke at the function while Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven and the President of Costa Rica spoke on the occasion through live video conference.
However, pre-recorded video speeches of the President of South Africa, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, were also aired at the function.
A commemorative video marking the UN 75th anniversary and remarks (video) by the UN Secretary General were also screened on the occasion.
