Bangladesh has invited Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres to join the celebrations of the 50 years of the country’s independence and birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen put forward the invitation during a virtual meeting with the UN chief on Thursday.

Guterres highly applauded Bangladesh’s tremendous efforts in mitigating the health and socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Referring to Bangladesh’s past successes in disaster management, the UN Secretary General said, in view of Bangladesh’s ranking as a global leader in risk mitigation, he was not surprised to see such accomplishment.
 
He expressed admiration for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, especially for her strong commitment to the people of Bangladesh.

They also agreed that COVID-19 vaccination should be treated as ‘global public good’.

The Secretary General highly appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity in giving shelter to the Rohingyas and reiterated that, “Return of refugees to Myanmar is our common objective”.

The Secretary General said that the UN stands ready to support Bangladesh in resolving the crisis. The Foreign Minister apprised the Secretary General of the measures taken by the Government in Bhashanchar and requested the UN’s support for humanitarian assistance there for the Rohingyas.

Foreign Minister discussed, among others, the issues of the twin celebration of birth centenary of the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of our independence, peacekeeping, LDC issues and SG’s reelection bid.

Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, Ambassador Rabab Fatima was present during the meeting. 

Foreign Minister Dr Momen is currently visiting Washington DC on an official trip to reach out the new Administration to further enhance the bilateral relations and to convey Bangladesh’s willingness to work closely with the new US Administration.

BDST: 1340 HRS, FEB 26, 2021
AP