Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a powerful indictment of global inaction and moral failure during his address to the 80th United Nations General Assembly on Friday (Sept 26), warning that “extreme nationalism, geopolitics that thrive on the suffering of others, and indifference to human pain” are eroding humanity’s hard-won progress.
He said, “Nowhere is this tragedy more visible than in Gaza. Children are dying of hunger. Civilians are being killed without distinction. Entire neighbourhoods, including hospitals and schools, are being wiped from the map.”
Speaking on behalf of the people of Bangladesh and “conscientious citizens across the world,” he renewed his call for an urgent resolution to the crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The two-state solution must be implemented now, through the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he declared.
Only a return to “the pre-1967 borders,” Yunus said, and the coexistence of “Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace,” would constitute justice.
“Madam President,” he added, “we do agree with the UN independent international inquiry commission that we are witnessing a genocide happening live. Unfortunately, on behalf of humanity we are not doing enough to stop it. If this continues, neither future generations nor history will forgive us.”
“In Bangladesh,” Yunus said, “we believe that we must build a culture of peace, one that rests on the values of tolerance, nonviolence, dialogue and cooperation at every level of society.”
Reflecting on the global scale of current conflicts, he said, “This year, conflicts have scarred almost every corner of the globe: in Europe, in South Asia, and in the Middle East.”
“We live in the most densely populated region of the world. Nowhere else do so many nuclear-armed states exist in such close proximity. That is why we in Bangladesh deeply understand the urgency of disarmament and the prevention of nuclear proliferation,” Yunus told the assembly.
He called for “the revival of global arms control treaties that have grown weaker with time,” and added, “We renew our call for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. At the same time, we affirm the right of every nation to use nuclear energy peacefully, with full transparency.”
Asserting Bangladesh’s responsibility and commitment to safety, he stated: “Even before commissioning our first nuclear power plant, Bangladesh this year acceded to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management under the IAEA.”
“By doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety and transparency,” Yunus said.
“For more than three and a half decades, Bangladesh has stood among the leading contributors of United Nations peacekeepers,” he noted.
“This is living proof of our enduring commitment to global peace and security. Even today, nearly 6,000 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are serving in some of the world's most volatile regions under the UN flag, and 168 of our peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”
“Research has consistently shown that UN peacekeeping missions are more sustainable and effective than unilateral interventions,” he continued. “We, therefore, call for clear and achievable mandates and adequate funding for peacekeeping operations. We must also give the highest priority to the safety of peacekeepers and ensure accountability for crimes committed against them.”
Yunus also emphasized the value of cultural and linguistic inclusion: “Bangladesh also actively promotes multilingualism, both at home and internationally, because we believe that linguistic and cultural diversity deepens mutual understanding.”
The Chief Adviser was accompanied by BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Jamaat leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party’s Dr Tasnim Jara and Akhter Hossen.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present.
SMS/
