UN Day observed

UN must meet the challanges with unified efforts

Covid catastrophe could not rein in the efforts of UNAB from observing UN Day 2021. In virtual symposium noted diplomat Mr. Humayun Kabir was the key speaker. with Mr. Md. Nazmul Huq as guest speaker. UNAB President Justice Ebadul Hoque chaired the event. UN Secretary General gave a message on this occasion, where he argued, UN was born to mitigate conflicts. COVID-19, conflicts, hunger, proverty and the climate emergency remind us that our world is far from perfect. But they also make clear that solidarity is the only way forward. We need to come together to tackle great cgallenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. By ensuring that every person, everywhere, has access to COVID-19 vaccines sooner rather than later. By seeking an end to the conflicts that scar our planet- and living up to them.

Diplomat Humayun Kabir started by saying that we realize UN, fails to reflect it is goal. The basic ethos of SDGs is none would be left behind. But we are saddened that none of any global body say that. From that consideration, when we see social bonding is breaking, an anarchic social order is erupting, apprehending emerging conflicts becoming the go of the day, the existence of UN need not to be overstated. Since irrespective of colour, creed, rich, poor and racial divide, UN is for all. It speaks for all. One hundred years ago World saw a pandemic in 1918. It revisited after one hundred years again. It crippled all creativities of mankind. But yet Covid bowed down to human capacity. We saw in past nearly 11 to 15 years were needed to invent vaccine. But here we see within one or one and a half years scientists were capable inventing vaccines to save the World.

My second point is the outfall of climate change. This acted as background of 76th session of the General Assembly. We know COP-26 is going to be held next week in Glasgow. A report read like, scientists attached to UN said, their idea about the way and speed the climate change making harm was not accurate. In reality it is doing more. So finding out the real picture is more important task of the scientists and hence they should be more creative. At the same time we must speed up our efforts to contain the effects of climate change than our perception. But in this regard the very awakening call of Secretary General could demand mass acclaim. Scientists predicted that we need 7 times more work to fight climate change. We know not only us, even China and India are facing short of energy. We are encouraging renewable energy avoiding coal based one. But I am scared if renewable energy keeps failing, then again coal might come in place. That means climate change would be more devastating.

Another point, a lot of multilateral organizations under the umbrella of UN faced setback in 2016 after Donald Trump coming to power. It is due to power US hold in UN. Nearly 20 to 21% of the total budget of UN are met by US. Bangladesh is proud of her peace keeping forces. 30% of Peace keeping budget comes from US. So when US gets back stepping from anything, it becomes headache to Fall. Now President said he would beef up multilateralism and strengthen UN. But total scenario is conflicting. Say, UN was born to save mankind from the scourge of war. But US-China relation is turning to be a conflicting one. A few days back President Biden had remarked on Taiwan. That enraged China. In such a way tension in South East Asia has been keeping alive. It is nothing but power show up to. But this show up should not have turned into real war, UN must oversee it. Transnational terrorism has again risen its audacious faces in different regions masked with different colour threating peace process. UN must meet this challenges with its unified efforts.

Md. Nazmul Huq said, we had just completed the 76th session of the General Assembly. Now we are holding different meetings to evaluate the outcome of the session. UN is doing much for us. In Rohingya issue, we are getting forum in UN and UN is arranging various avenues of succours to Rohingya people in our country. But oligarchy in Security council is something that tear our throat like fish bone. M.S. Siddique in his disscussion point out that in 1980s decay of socialist world has raptured the balance in world power and capitaist views got prominance in multilateral bodies.

The chair Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque made prominence of UN for its role during our liberation war. He thought a supra government is necessary to oversee the World peace. But UN should not be a tool of big powers.

World Water Day

A prudent water management needed

In world water day two papers were presented by UNAB’s arranged webinar. Those were by water expert Professor M. Feroze Ahmed and columnist M.S. Siddique respectively with Engineer Joti Bikash Barua, a Vice President, UNAB was presiding.

Professor M. Feroze in his paper titled: “Value of Water” argued, valuing water means recognizing and considering all the diverse benefits and risks provided by water and encompassing its economic , social and ecological dimensions as well as its diverse cultural and religious statate. The value of water means much more than its price-water has enormous and complex value for our households, food-culture, health, education, economy and the integrity of our natural environment.

Valuing water provides the basis for recognizing and considering all benefits provided by water, including their economic, social and ecological dimensions.” Water is our most precious resource, a ‘Blue gold’ to which more than 2 billion people do not have direct access. It is not only essential for survival, but also plays a sanitary, social and cultura) role at the heart of human societies,” says the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay. Internationally valuing water has been prioritized as global action to achieve sustainable water resources management by the United Nations and the World Bank High level Panel for water.

He said, value of water is not its ‘Price”, or “Cost”. Price of water is the amount charged to the consumers and the cost of supplying the water includes the capital and operating costs of abstraction, treatment and supplying water to the point of use. The value of water includes all diverse benefits to users. Although price and cost are potentially quantifiable, the concept of “value” is much wider and includes social, environmental and cultural dimensions, many of which cannot be quantified. The concept of value is needed to give its importance, need for management and to prevent misuse.

Water for achieving SDGs
Water is the lifeline of our planet earth. It is vital for all lives on earth, human health and well-being, food security, environment and economy. SDGS that promise a sustainable future for mankind greatly depend on water. Water is directly and indirectly related to most of the SDG but strongly related to

Goal 1: No poverty,

Goal 2: Zero hunger

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and Communities

Goal 14: Life below water and

Goal 15: Life on land.

Hence, achievement of SDG greatly depends on availability of water.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh is a member of ‘High Level Panel on Water (HLPW) from Asia Region formed by the UN and the WB. The members of HLPW are to raise political awareness to the highest level and mobilize all stakeholders to improve water management and services through promoting the sharing of lessons, good practices, science and technologies.

Mr. M.S. Siddiqui said, Bangladesh historically believed to have much water. Due to dam in upstream countries and excess use of water have changed the belief in abundancy. Bangladesh is now facing a crisis of shortage of water. Water scarcity is likely to be a major challenge for most of the region of the country due to increased water demand and lack of good water management.

One study revealed that the demand for water at Textile sector will be increased by 270% compared to 2014 creating water demand gap between 2.495 to 5.282 BCM per year. There is also higher future domestic and agricultural water demands that have a higher priority than industrial water, means that there is a higher risk of water shortage to the textile industry by 2030 and higher costs of water abstraction.

The Chair Engineer Joti Bikash Barua, a Vice- Presidents of UNAB remarked, water use and misuse are depending on instinct mind-set of how to giving value of the use of natural resources. Wastage grows from a culture of oblivion and ignorance. A wide campaign for awareness building against misuse of water seems to be urgent.

Mother Language Day

Uneven frindship structure distorts universality of Mother Tongue

United Nations Association of Bangladesh (UNAB) observed ” International Mother Language Day on 24th February, 2021 inspite of pandemic. A webinar was held with UNAB President Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque presiding over. Noted economist and Chairman of the Department of Economics in Dhaka University Professor Dr. Mahbub Mokaddem Akash was the keynote speaker on a very time responding theme “The future use of the Bengali language in free market economy”. Among others noted columnist M. S. Siddique, Professor Haradhan Ganguly and prominent publisher Syed Zakir Hossain took part in discussion.

Professor Akash said, the term “free market economy” is elusive in many contexts though it is no more in sight. It had its existence for sometimes immediate after the breakdown of feudal system of economic relations. But it did end up in the formation of (1) Oligopoly and (2) Duopoly. It is absurd to think that every buyer or seller would have similar or in the same extent of purchasing power or selling capacity. So market finds its way to be turning into Oligopoly and Duopoly. That is supply side would be regulated by very few or two players as it goes in contrast with the concept of “free market Automatically either a monopolistic trend or less competitiveness among market players are controlling over. So no free market economy exists in reality at all.

So universal the use of Bangla depends on dominant factors. In the given time, countries these dominating both our external and internal economy would determine lingua franca and they impose their culture.
Accepting a culture of give and take might have a lee way to contain cultural dominance. Closed economy and closed culture are non- existent. Respecting diversity and resilience towards our own Bengali-culture might have smoothen the way of universal acceptance of our Bangla. Complying Bangabandhu’s vision- “Friendship to all, we will not depend on any country. We will give and we will take. Uneven friendship structure distorts universality of mother tongue.

M.S. Siddique thinks when our capability will hold our heads high in literary World and research, we need not then to depend on any alien language. Cultural aggression has direct linkage with the economy. But it is not the whole truth. He referred keynote speaker citing three countries- China, India and japan. Chinese and Japanese languages have been nearly unknown to mass people. We know Hindi through sky culture, not through economic contact or deliberation. Education at tertiary level need to have accepted other languages. But Bengali should and must be the main caravan of learning. What is utmost necessity and our commitment? Blossoming our mother language, our culture are the first and foremost priorities. Here we are uncompromised. Then we are to look through a broad window to other languages including English to learn for our own requrirement. In this way we are to look at future of Bangla.

Professor Haradhan Ganguly said, an open economy must need to open all windows both for internal and externalities. Not only trade, many visible and invisible, objective and subjective things are set out for exchange. That creates bindings and needs for using common languages across the World. But that things never come in contrast with universal use of Bangla. It depends upon political commitment and policy pursuits. No debate or hesitation should be there for Bangla to be used as the medium of learning universally. In a same way there should not be prejudice to learn other languages particularly the English in the context of necessity and reality.

Syed Zakir Hossain said how we protect Bangla from onslaught of alien sources is a matter of commitment. For protecting self language, culture and heritage World people do everything including even supreme sacrifice. Bangladesh is evidenced.

Supporting keynote speaker’s views, the Chair Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque argued, Globalization and Economy are tied in same string. Language is somehow related with trade and it will stay and enrich in the days to come. He prioritized the need for in-depth research more for a prosperous Bangla.

World Environment Day

Stop taking rivers to ruins

Bangladesh-a land of rivers is mainly made of alluvium of the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna. It is a delta by nature of land. Rivers are 80% accountable not only for development of land, it sprinkled lives and greenery of it. But devastating plunder, acute poverty, natural calamities, population boom and increasing warming up of nature make rivers deplorable. Degradation of environment runs parallel with topsy-turvy of rivers. As if they are tide with in a same thread. We know rivers dependent Bangladesh is also a victim of flood.

Such a sad depiction about our rivers was made by Dr. M. Abdul Matin, a noted environmentalist and leader of BAPA in a webinar organized by UNAB in observance of World Environment Day in June 2021.

He said, rivers are losing their capacities day by day. Excess fall due to excess rainfall in rainy season and stream of water running down along the slope of mountains spill over both banks of rivers and create floods to cause untold sufferings. But flood is nothing new to us. We are accustomed to live with it. And filling up rivers with new water is not adverse to our livelihood. But what is to be done? We should be caring of our rivers. If we consider river as a drain to carry wastes, this leads to environmental devastation then. Caring of rivers will save us from both drought and flood. Generally leaving river uncared for, efforts to divert its stream to other direction, construction of infrastructure in to river bed decline rivers’ capacity.

Rivers in Bangladesh
In eleven century this landscape now Bangladesh had nearly one thousand and five hundred rivers. They were wide, deep and swollen to the brink. Today it comes down to almost 230. Now Bangladesh has been having the Ganges, the Padma, the Brahmaputra, the Jamuna and the Barak and Meghna and their branches, sub- branches and their tributaries. The number of trans-boundary river is 57. 54 of them are coming from India and 3 from Myanmar. But sorrow scenario is during a decade of the last centuey, 17 rivers are at the verge of death. We have only 100 rivers having navigability and depth for the whole year. That means majority have lost their functinality. In 1971, we had 24,140 CM waterways. Now it becomes only 3800 CM. Our unpardonable negligence to rivers turns it vulnerable for navigation instead of being cheap, reliable and riskless ways of transportation. It is once a picturesque to us also. When Indian inter-river project implementation would be completed, ours condition would be deteriorated further. Nearly 40% water flows would be coming down. Even 100 rivers will lose operational viability at 15 to 20% loss of stream.

In dry season nearly 97% of rivers will have their flows reduced due to Indian unilateral withdrawal of water from 54 rivers originated from there and construction of dams, barrage to her interest thereof. ‘Farakka’ contributes to the destruction of rivers of our South-Western region. We have heard during few years back the construction of 16 barrages on the river the Ganga and in addition if India completes interriver-connectivity projects and diverts 173 billion cubic metre water from the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, we will fall in neck deep problems. The Tista is at the threshold of dying out at the water diversion from ‘GajolDoba’ and other dams in the upstream of India.

Due to siltation 187 rivers have been died of which constituted 28% of our total rivers. Every year rivers carry over 3.8 billion tons of alluvium and these are fallen in 40 to 45 rivers.

At present 41% of rivers are falling prey to erosion. During rainy season, Arialkha, Dhaleshari, Dharala, Meghna, Jamuna, Padma etc. get eroded ending up creation of huge number of climate refugees in Bangladesh.

To stop the process of taking rivers to runins, we must take river friendly policy pursuit on reality basis without having erroneous illusion or confusion.

International Women’s Day

Scope for Women diplomat getting shining

UNAB on 15th March 2021 observed “International Women’s Day” like before. It arranged a webinar on that occasion chaired by Vice-President of the Association Begum Majeda Showkat Ali. Keynote speaker was Director General of UN Wing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Samia Anzum. For several years UNAB has been trying to dig out the state of women in different professions particilarly while observing International Women’s Day. This year focusing point of discussion was “women in diplomatic core in Bangladesh”.

Ms. Samia Anzum said, on this day we are accustomed to discuss women empowerment, women’s education, health etc. But discussion on women in diplomatic world are remaining untouched. So today’s discussion is very time tested one.

Even a few days ago international relations were regulated by only men. Orthodox thoughts induced us to a perception that international relation was a place of high heated politics. Where subjects like war and strategical determinants were overwhelmed. Fact was that, international relation was mainly manifested by international political clash, dominance and supremacy. In the end up, women had nearly nothing to do with this. As a result women were going to be back seater in diplomacy. Later on, issues like social, economic, cultural and environment started emerging to be integral part of state’s security thus started to open space for women participation in diplomacy. But the then also scope was not so wide. It was conditional. Now than before, scope for women participation in foreign services gets wider no doubt but not up to that mark to compare with men.

Here Bangladesh goes a long way. Historically women in Bangladesh are coming forward in Nation build up at large. In our Liberation War women had historic role. They are now participating in worthy engagements for development in a parallel way with men. Our foreign ministry is staffed by noteworthy number of women. Women’s empowerment heads to open far more at the helm of a woman like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We are proud of being a role model of women’s development. Here women enrolment is the main weapon for their progress. This is done due to hefty demand for women engagement in total development initiatives in Bangladesh. We are boast of our woman leadership, our women empowerment and for our enviable success in women enrolment in education. Our number one export earning is coming from RMG sector and lion share of the work force is occupied by women. Nearly 40 lakhs. Their tireless contribution makes our economy shining. In Seventies, our foreign ministry first saw woman diplomat. In 1977 Mrs. Nasrin Ferdaus first joined as Ambassador. Now 97 women diplomats are working in Bangladesh Embassies in different countries.

In different International fora and UN organs our women are playing remarkable role. Even during Pandemic women frontliners are working in same stepping hand in hand with their male colleagues. Their role in UN peace keeping forces are commendable. We hope women are in a same way prepared for making Bangabandhu’s dream “Sonar Bangla” into a reality in the process of turning Bangladesh into a developed country in 2041.

M.S. Siddique said, With given our social fabrics, diplomatic jobs for women are very challenging. Many a times family’s teaching or canon rein in women from doing better in foreign services. A woman diplomat has to make balance between her family and outward job. So she is to take pressure. This is a challenge to her.

Sharmin Jahan observed that Gender disparity is continuing unabated in our society. Some kinds of disparity are mixed with social practices and planted in social mindsets in a way that they seem to be rational and social guide. So there needs changes in social order.

Qamruzzaman Nani was happy for the Existing state and social order adapting with the ideal of Liberation war and this is happening under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Chair Begum Majeda Showkat Ali thought, the society is heading towards a lot of progress. But social stigma is still powerfully alive in many areas. She referred to a recent news where husband gave “Talak” to wife for giving birth to a female child. She cited the names of some iconic women leaders who immediate after liberation set examples for social change.

Excerpts from the statement by H. E. Sheikh Hasina, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh at the UNGA on 24 September 2021

This 76th UNGA comes at a time when COVID-19 is claiming lives across the globe. Many countries are being affected by recurring waves of new variants. The pandemic has battered the health systems and economies across the world. I pay tribute to all the frontline workers, for their dedicated service and sacrifice during this crisis. Against the grim reality of COVID 19, the theme of this session centering around ‘hope’ is very timely.

As an avowed supporter of multilateralism and the UN system, Bangladesh wishes to see this organization as a source of hope and aspiration during this critical time. We must set aside our differences and rise as one harnessing our collective strength to build back a better world for all.

This is a very special year for us. This year we are celebrating the golden jubilee of our independence. This celebration coincides with ‘Mujib Year, the Birth Centenary of our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

I pay my profound respect and homage to the Father of our Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose selfless, lifelong struggle and visionary leadership brought us our long-cherished Independence. I also pay my deepest tribute to the valiant freedom fighters for their courage and sacrifices to free our motherland.

Our Father of the Nation was a strong advocate of multilateralism and called the United Nations ‘as the center of people’s future hopes and aspirations. On the very first day of our journey in the United Nations, he had said, and I quote from his maiden speech to the UNGA on 25th September 1974:

“Our goal is self-reliance; our chosen path is the united and collective efforts of our people. International cooperation and the sharing of the resources and technology could, no doubt, make our task less onerous and reduce the cost in human suffering.

He called for building a world free of economic inequalities, social injustice, aggression, and threats of nuclear war. These are as relevant today as they were forty-six years ago. As such, we continue to lend our voice and leadership to all those issues that aim at building an inclusive and equal society. Our calls for vaccine equality, our firm position against any form of injustice as against the Palestinian people, resolution of the Rohingya crisis, and promoting climate justice commitment. are a few examples of our global

We have been working hard to fulfill the unfinished dream of our Father of the Nation. We are now among the five fastest growing economies in the world, ranking 41st in terms of GDP. Over the past decade, we have reduced the poverty rate from 31.5%to 20.5%. Our per capita income jumped to more than threefold in just one decade to USD2,227. Our foreign currency reserve has reached all time high to USD 48 billion.

Bangladesh has made impressive progress in socio-economic sphere and women empowerment during ‘last decade. The infant mortality rate has been reduced to 23.67 per 1,000; maternal mortality rate to 173 per 100 thousand live births; and the average longevity of people rose to 73 years. According to WEF, in political empowerment of women Bangladesh is ranked 7th;, ahead of its regional neighbors since 2014.

Our ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiative has stimulated transformative impacts on socio-economic development, education, disaster risk reduction, women’s empowerment, and so on. Our social safety net programs have also made significant expansion. AS for SDG Index Score, the Sustainable Development Report 2021 identified Bangladesh as having progressed the most since 2015. Such progress was due to heavy investment in women’s advancement and empowerment, which contributed to our transformative development.

We have achieved the milestone of LDC graduation this year. Our vision is to transform Bangladesh into a knowledge- based developed country by 2041; and a prosperous and resilient Delta by 2100.

The Covid-19’s impact on Bangladesh has been much less than feared. It is mainly because of our healthcare system that has been strengthened from the grassroots level. Besides, we adopted a timely multi-pronged, multi- stakeholder approach to tackle its challenges. From the very beginning, we took some firm decisions to balance between life and livelihood. They included 28 stimulus packages to the tune of US$ 14.6 billion or 4.44% of our GDP to keep our economy afloat. We also allocated 1.61 billion USD for vaccines in the current budget cycle.

Notably, we gave serious attention to the most vulnerable sections of our society like the ultra-poor, disabled, elders, returnee migrants and vulnerable women. At the outbreak of the pandemic last year, we immediately distributed cash and other kinds of assistance to nearly 40 million people. Our well-timed intervention and our people’s resilience helped us achieve over 5% economic growth in 2020.

Humanity, since time immemorial, has faced the onslaughts of nature and pestilence, as well as manmade conflicts and disasters. Yet humanity has survived these monumental challenges with hope in their hearts and belief in themselves.

This pandemic is another such crisis from which many inspiring stories of human survival and magnanimity have been born. Sadly though, this malaise seems likely to be here for a while, and therefore, as we have in the past must come forth with fresh, inclusive, and global ideas to fight this common enemy. Let me highlight a few specific issues in this regard.

First, for a COVID-free world, we must ensure universal and affordable access to vaccines for people across the world. In the last UNGA, I urged this august assembly to treat COVID- 19 vaccines as a ‘global public good. This was echoed by many other leaders. Yet these calls remain largely unheeded. Instead, we have seen growing ‘vaccines divides’ between the rich and the poor nations.

According to the World Bank, 84% of vaccines doses have so far gone to people in high and upper middle-income countries, while the low-income countries received less than 1%. This vaccine inequality must be urgently addressed. We cannot chart out a sustainable recovery and be safe by leaving millions behind.

Therefore, I reiterate my call to ensure equitable and affordable access to vaccine for all. Immediate transfer of vaccine technologies could be a means to ensure vaccine equity. Bangladesh is ready to produce vaccines in mass scale if technical know-how is shared with us and patent waiver is granted. Second, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted the climate vulnerable countries. The IPCC Working Group-I Report provided a grim scenario of our planet.

Unless there are immediate measures, the devastating impacts of climate change will be irreversible. No country, rich or poor, is immune of the destructive effects. We, therefore, call upon the rich and industrialized countries to cut emissions, compensate for the loss and damage, and ensure adequate financing and technology transfer for adaptation and resilience building.

As the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Ministers of Finance, we have launched the “Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan Decade 2030” outlining a transformative agenda from climate vulnerability to climate prosperity.

The upcoming COP-26 Summit in Glasgow provides us with a good opportunity to rally support for such new and inclusive ideas. Let us not miss out on this opportunity.

Third, the pandemic has severely disrupted our education system. According to UNICEF, close to half the world’s students were affected by partial or full school closures. Millions of students in low-income countries did not have the resources and technologies to join remote learning facilities, jeopardizing decades of gains in enrollment, literacy rates, etc. We need a global plan to prioritize education recovery by investing in digital tools and services, access to internet, and capacity building of teachers. We also call the UN system to rally partnership and resources to make that happen.

Fourth, despite the unprecedented challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are on track to graduate from the LDC category. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has put at risk the graduation prospect and aspiration of many countries. To motivate and incentivizes sustainable graduation, we look forward to receiving more support from our development partners for an in an incentive-based graduation structure. As one of the co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee of the LDC-5 Conference, we expect concrete outcome of Doha conference enabling more countries to sustainably graduate out of the LDC category.

Fifth, migrants have been the frontline contributors during the pandemic as essential workers in the health and other emergency services. Yet many of them have been particularly hard-hit due to loss of jobs, salary cuts, lack of access to health and other social services, and forcible return. We urge the migrant receiving countries to treat them fairly and protect their job, health, and well-being during this trying time.

Sixth, the Rohingya crisis is in its fifth year now. Yet not a single forcibly displaced Myanmar Nationals could be repatriated to Myanmar. Despite the uncertainty created by the recent political developments in Myanmar, we expect enhanced focus and active support of the international community to find a durable solution to this crisis. Myanmar must create the conditions conducive for their return. We are ready to work with the international community on this compelling priority.

On our part, to ensure their temporary stay in Bangladesh we have relocated some of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (Rohingya) to ‘Bashan Char. We have also included all eligible from them in the national vaccination drive to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the camps. I would like to reiterate that the crisis was created in Myanmar and its solution lies in Myanmar.

International community must work constructively for a permanent solution of the crisis through safe, sustainable, and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their home in the Rakhine State. While we expect the ASEAN leadership to step up their ongoing efforts, the international community needs to support all the accountability processes.

We envision a peaceful, stable, and prosperous South Asia. We firmly believe that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves. Bangladesh stands ready to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for its socio-economic development.

Peace remains a pre-eminent focus of our foreign policy. As a proponent of the flagship resolution of Culture of Peace, we remain deeply committed to creating a peaceful society. The menace of terrorism and violent extremism are jeopardizing peace and security in many parts of the world. Therefore, we maintain a “zero tolerance policy towards these menaces.

Today, we take pride as the leading peacekeeping nation and our contribution to global peace. Despite unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, our peacekeepers are serving in some of the most difficult circumstances across the globe with utmost dedication and professionalism. The international community must do everything possible to ensure their safety and security.

As per our constitutional obligation, we have always been a steadfast supporter of complete disarmament.We firmly believe that the ultimate guarantee of international peace and security lies in the total elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. It was from that conviction we ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which entered into force earlier this year.

The Covid-19 has brought to the fore the inadequacy of the global response tackle emergencies. It has also put a to spotlight on the critical need for global solidarity and collaboration to effective Covid-19 response.

We must demonstrate our ability to work and act together on global common issues and create space for new partnerships and solutions. And that must start right here at the UN; with the member states; across regions; rising above narrow political interests. Only then can we pursue any meaningful collaboration towards a resilient and inclusive recovery.

At this critical juncture, the United Nations stands as our best hope. Let us join our hands together to keep that hope alive.

Before I conclude, I wish to humbly remind this revered body established to ensure peace and justice around the world that I am still seeking justice for the brutal massacre of my family that took place 46 years ago. It was early in the morning of August 15, 1975, a band of renegade killers ruthlessly assassinated my father, the Father of the Nation and the then President of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, my loving mother, Sheikh Fazilutunnesa Mujib, my three brothers Freedom Fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal, Freedom Fighter Lt. Sheikh Jamal, 10-year Sheikh Russell and paternal uncle Freedom Fighter Sheikh Abu Naser. 18 of my close family members were brutally murdered. My younger sister, Sheikh Rehana and I survived the carnage as we were away abroad at the time. For 6 years we were on exile suffering from the agony of losing near and dear ones. Nevertheless, my struggle continued and upon returning to Bangladesh, I have devoted my life to fulfilling the dream of my father, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for a happy and prosperous Golden Bangladesh. I shall continue to do so as long as I live, Insha Allah.

Ahmad Hossain Memorial Lecture

Myanmar Must solve Rohingya crisis

This year UNAB arranged 17th Syed Ahmad Hossain memorial lecture through webinar due to pandemic. Former Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Touhid Hossain gave this memorial lecture on “The Rohingya Crisis-the UN and Bangladesh.” Vice President of UNAB Begum Majeda Showkat Ali chaired.

Speaker Mr. Hossain started his lecture referring, the gravest crisis Bangladesh is facing since the war of liberation is the influx of a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. While Bangladesh has been trying to resolve the issue and send back the refugees through bilateral discussion. She has also taken it up to the International community including the United Nations.

From the beginning of the Burmese state, the Rohingyas have been facing discrimination and persecution. However, this exacerbated in the 1970s and in 1978, atrocities by the military forced of 250,000 Rohingyas leave their homes. This was the first large scale exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh. While Bangladesh gave them shelter and opened dialogue for their return, UN agencies and various relief organizations helped them for their sustenance. As per the bilateral agreement done with the military government of Myanmar, repatriation of all ‘lawful residents’ was agreed.

The military government of Myanmar passed the Citizenship Act of 1982 which de-legitimized the Rohingyas. To be eligible for Citizenship, the cut off year for residence in Myanmar was set at 1823, and the onus of proof was on the Rohingyas. Thus a significant ethnic minority group numbering more than 1.5 million was rendered alien by this law. There were severe restrictions on their movement and economic activities. The continued maltreatment of, and atrocities on the Rohingyas led to their second exodus in 1991-92. This time also the Repatriation Agreement of 1992 provided for return of ‘lawful citizens’! This was ironic, Since 1982 law had already deprived them of their citizenship. Complete repatriation of the Rohingys was therefore not possible this time and a substantial number remained back in Bangladesh. Meanwhile life in the Rakhine state continued to harden for the Rohingyas and slow and continuous exodus of at least 300000 of them is estimated till 2016. Then an organized anti-Rohingya drive in 2016 led to 80,000 Rohingyas fleeing to Bangladesh. None of them could return to their country.

Under International pressure, the quasi democratic government of Aung San Su Kyi instituted the Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State led by – former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Better known as the Kofi Annan Commission. It submitted its report in August 2016. The Commission found out that systematic denial of basic rights including citizenship and indiscriminate persecution are the root causes of this protracted Rohingya crisis and underscored that durable solution lies in sustainable return of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in dignity and security with livelihood and basic rights restored. However, the report failed to catch the bull by its horn on the most important issue, namely the intrinsic injustice and discrimination in the Citizenship Act of 1982. It very politely suggested review of the law in line with best practices elsewhere.

However, the greatest irony was that the submission of this report almost coincided with the most cruel and extensive crackdown on the Rohingya population enacted by the Myanmar military on the pretext of attacks on a number of police outposts by a relatively little known militant group called ArakanRohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) on the previous day. Records confirm that the military units which undertook the operation that tantamount to genocide, were moved into northern Rakhine State at least two weeks before the event.

What is then the way out? Theoretically, there can be three solutions to a refugee problem. If the environment and circumstances improve, they may be able to return to their homeland. Secondly, the refugees can be rehabilitated in a third country. The third possible solution is for the host country to permanently take these refugees and absorb them as their own.

The chair Mrs. Majeda Showkat Ali, one of the Vice President of UNAB carved out from her past experiences with Late Syed Ahmad Hossain.

Peace Day observed

Humanism & Social Justice should be upheld for World peace

While introducing participants at the virtual seminar initiated by UNAB for observing peace day-2021, Secretary General of the organization Professor Syed Mohammad Shahed spelled out the history behind. He said, UN Associations in different countries like us are bent on spreading the ideas of UN to the general public. Observing International Peace Day is also for the same aim. A bell made of the debris created by the Atom bomb in Japan set to ring twice a year. One the first day of spring and second in 21st September, the day set for observing “International Peace Day”. It was a symbol very relevantly mingled with the history of Peace and gifted by UNA Japan to UN. He articulated some points of the message given by Secretary General of UN on the occasion of International Peace Day.

Expert in International relations and Professor of International relations, University of Dhaka Dr. Delwar Hossain was the key speaker. He said, the entire gist of UN charter preamble resonates peace to be operationalized for the World people. “We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our life time have brought untold sorrow to humankind.” Here we see, UN brings forth the word “peoples” instead of 193 member states.

Interesting to note those are within the fold of UN and those outside of it are all unanimously observe 21st September as International Peace Day. It proves UN is driven by its hard commitment to “Peoples’ UN”. Bangladesh foreign policy is also guided by aspiring sustainable peace. So we declared “Friendship to all, Malice to none.” We are moving towards a technology dependent economic progress. It is embracing both delight and pain. When this process is going on, the very onslaught of Covid makes the whole things worse. So this year of International Day of Peace comes at a crisis pint for humanity. As UN Secretary Gerneral said Covid-19 has turned our World upside down. Conflicts are spinning out of control. The climate emergency is worsening. Inequality and poverty are deepening. Mistrust and division are driving people apart at a time when solidarity and collaboration are needed more than ever. As a human family, we face stark choice- Peace of perpetual paril.”

But UN charter itself is committed towards achieving peace. How to make a World that is adorned with peace we dreamt from our first stepping on Earth were beautifully embodied in UN came into being behind a big experience of devastation of mankind— World War-I & II. But war in between two states or regional frame have been continuing. Even trans- boundary terrorism masked in various names and forms are becoming the cause of worry. Apart from war, the very advancement of technology brings about happiness and sometimes it causes disquiet. So sometimes peace seems to be far away even any largely war like World War is remotely possible. But it is not the denying that a situation created after the withdrawal of US soldiers from Afghanistan, Rohingya crisis, Ukraine, Belarus issues- all are not suited for peace. COVID and after COVID and Climate change are adding worry with them. For peace these multilateral organizations like UN must be made invigorated. Lastly I believe humanism, social justice and human liberty might come through stately structure or it might come from World polarization. What it might be, it would strengthen peace movement.

Vice President of UNAB Eng. J P Barua said It is questionable for UN about peace to attain for which it is committed. But it is fact, not all but partial success UN could claim. Now regional conflicts and neighbourly discomfort becoming sharp headache. are

M. S. Siddique, a member of the executive committee of UNAB said, internal policy change of big powers sometimes distorts peace process. He referred to Donald Trump’s conflicting policy towards China and his suspicious mindset on COVID whether it is the creation of China’s laboratory. UN withdrawal from WTO made peace process complicated. Vice President Selina Khaleque said, women and children are becoming first victims where wars are ravaged. War mongers are themselves violating human rights and dishonouring UN.

The Chair Begum Majeda Shawkat Ali, another Vice President of UNAB stressed the need for peace, particularly at the time of Covid-19.

Palestine Solidarity Day

Construction of Illegal settlements and agression condemned

One of the regular event of UNAB observed UN days is Palestine Solidarity Day. 2021 saw no exception to it. This year Professor Dr. Shaikh Abdus Salam presented the keynote paper on “The Palestine Issue: A never ending dilemma for the UN”. Professor Salam said, way back in history, in 1947, the UN approved the plan of creating two independent nation states to be situated in the land where there had been a separate Palestine state governed by Britain under the mandate of the League of Nations. The Israel State has since been established and has accumulated a huge support from the leading powerful nations of the World. But unfortunately, a full-fledged independent Palestine is yet to be established albeit the majority of the livable land area has gone under the control of Israel thereby stripping the struggling Palestinian population of their sovereignty, sense of security and freedom. The UN has constantly been trying to settle the issue peacefully but has only been successful in initiating sporadic short lived ceasefires which often break up with severe violence.

Mr. Mohammad Nazmul Haque, Director, United Nations and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign affairs, Government of Bangladesh said our position on Palestine was laid down by the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman. He unequivocally offered our unconditional support to the Palestinian people in his historic speech delivered at the UN general assembly in 1974. Bangabandhu also reiterated our unwavering support for Palestine in his statement delivered at the second Islamic summit in 1974 and the 4th summit of the non-aligned movement in 1973 which was held in Algiers. In fact our own painful experiences of an occupation and oppression at the hands of the Pakistanis has inspired us to stand against injustice, and oppression that the people of Palestine had faced for generations. Bangladesh always strongly condemns the illegal activities against all Palestinians including the atrocities recently unleashed in occupied Palestinian territories, Mr. Haque said.

Mr. Haq reiterated the call for an immediate sessin on the continued aggression, construction of illegal settlements, demolition of homes as cited in our Prime Minister’s message delivered on this day.

Guest of honor the Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Bangladesh Mr. Yousef Ramadan said Palestinian issue is the longest humanitarian issue. and it is not related with terrorism. It is totally related to the people who have full right to have freedom like any other Nations of this earth. In 1948 the Israeli had driven us including my father from our inborn inherited land. Since then we are living as refugees in camps, But we are determined and having a will power to drag our struggle till reaching our goal. We are vowed to recover our homeland Palestine where we have been living for 5 thousand years. We need support mainly from our Arab brothers and Muslim brothers as well. But sorry to say we are not getting their unanimous support. Some of them have taken policy of military relationship and efforts for normalizing diplomatic security. It is extremely painful to us.

When the Arab World was united more than 200 years ago, they were so powerful that American ships had to pay fees to Algeria, Libya, Morocco and other naval forces while passing from the Atlantic to Mediterranean sea. We were the masters of our lands. Lives without dignity and freedom are useless.

The Ambassador further said Bangladesh is 4500 kilometer far off Palestine. Bangladesh is supporting us in the true sense She is by our side. Five hundred Bangladeshi people volunteered and have been fighting side by side with the Palestinian in Lebanon against Israel several times. In 1973, Bangladesh sent medical support to Palestinian people. In all our crises we get support from the people and Government of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in several occasions raised her voice in support of the Palestinian people defying all pressures. We are always indebted to the people of Bangladesh. It is true, for 74 years we have been suffering. We are prepared to suffer another 74 years ahead. But our struggle for true freedom would be continued. For the sake of our sons, daughters, for the sake of Palestine, Jerusalem and for AL-Aksah. Our blood shedding would not be stopped. For it we want International unity by our side.

Human Rights Day

A holistic idea needs to uphold Human Rights

To observe International Human Rights Day-2021, UNAB arranged a virtual symposium chaired by Justice Kazi Ebadul Hoque, the President of the organization on 10th December 2021. Retd. District Judge Mr. Hasan Shaheed Ferdous and Advocate Fawzia Karim spoke on the occasion. UN Information Center official Dr. Maniruzzaman read out the message of UN Secretary General.

Mr. Ferdous in the beginning expressed his being overwhelmed on the first line of the Charter of the UN that read “We the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our life time have brought untold sorrow to mankind.” So he emphasized the involvement of all peace process and human rights across the World. The 11th Article of our constitution upholds that this country will be a Republic where fundamental Human Rights, freedom and respect to human values will be ensured. Effective People’s participation will be ensured by meaningful representation in all administrative layers. I worked long in UNICEF and Universal CRC child charter and I am in a state of happiness that all laws that relate to CRC are framed in line with international law of UNICEF.

The theme of this year’s International Human Rights Day resonates equality. Seventeen article of the Constitution also echo the same. But many internal complexities stand on the way for proper implementation of Human Rights. But we are not sitting with our hands tight up. In the declaration of our Independence in April 1971, there were citation of World Peace. Our courts lower and upper are running in succession taking human rights issues to fore. We believe in the existence of strong courts that could ensure human rights.

Mrs. Fawzia Karim said, we are used to create hue and cry at a very little violation of Human Rights against State organs. But overlooks the state of violation of Human Rights at our homes. So we should start respecting human rights at our homes. The theme “reducing inequalities advancing human rights” is a sad to us. Since long time has passed away still we are harping on “equality”. Racial or communal discrimination is still existing strong in our society. Here he cited an example in Supreme Court bar association where a Hindu pleader was barred to go to a fresh room adjacent to “Namaj Ghar.” Religious divide is still playing supreme in our social order. So equality is meaningless. I worked long time with Human Rights organizations and was also member of the Commission. My observation is our lip service towards human rights and practical scenario makes a big gap. Even after having constitutional commitment, we are not equal to the eyes of laws. Particularly the very inheritance laws of properties are depriving females of their due shares. Fundamentally we have no practice of respecting equality. Even for courtesy sake we prioritize female colleagues to enter first or having seat first etc. But why gender issue will get priority rather not considering as colleagues. In reality economy must be addressed where the main breeding grounds of inequality is bornin. Economic inequality has its synergy effects on other social, political and cultural grounds. Not in Bangladesh alone, the very World order has been dominated by inequality. Its recent example is Covid-19 vaccination. Every citizen has the right over vaccination. But what we saw, Western big powers created monopoly over its delivery and we became victim of inequality. Climate change is accentuating inequality. There are two focusing points of human rights. One is citizenry and other political and second is economic and cultural human rights. World body is prone to looking after political human rights and we had formed human rights commission in Bangladesh. To operationalize human rights commission, educational institutions must be activated about spreading of knowledge on human rights. This year one issue the economy is coming fore. Question of rights get its reach into economy not to tell of only rights. Human rights must get its space in economy and social constructs. Now comes to the question of environment. It seems environment to all of us a big issue. For its protection we see a lot of rhetoric strewn everywhere in seminars, symposiums, talk shows etc. etc. But very recent the news of falling down thousands of trees in Cox’s Bazar goes against our commitment to protect environment. We are destroying rivers after having distinct verdict of High Court about the protection of rives. Day in and day night grabbers are swallowing wet lands and rivers. They change the definition of rivers for heinous motives that is erection of installation in river beds. It is a fashion to talk about inequality often. But how to reduce it finds no solution. Human rights should begin at home and for this we need united efforts. Advance technology should go in line with human rights.

The chair said in the declaration of human rights, two points are focused. One citizenry and political and other economic. To make human rights commission operational, educational institution should impart on human rights.

Six booklets published

During the challanging days of devastating Covid- 19, UNAB’s resilience for awareness building programmes about UN did not stop a while. Publication of books, booklets and bulletin were continueing among those. When Covid-19 crippled us from going outside socialization, UNAB set out publishing one after another booklets and noteworthy books turning it to be a noted dynamic organization defying external adversities. Booklets those went published on 1) Valuing Water (2) Future of Bangla in a Free Market Economy (3) An equal World for Women (4) Women in diplomatic Profession (5) The Rohingya crisis, the UN & Bangladesh (6) Rivers in Bangladesh-its present scenario and needs to be done for its protection. All booklets are excellent compilation of presentations and extempore speeches in seminars and symposiums UNAB arranged over the years. These booklets might have been used as inputs for preparing research papers and dissertations inquisitive readers.

Catalogue of Publications

A splendid job UNAB has done this year is the preparation of catalogue of its all publications starting from seventies of the past century. It is harnessed in a systematic subject wise order to utter benefit of students of interest, academics and researchers. Catalogue was prepared in two parts following subject wise priorities. Books contained are so time responsive and valuable from UN related issues that cover both internal and international dynamics. Now readers could grasp all views of books at a glance and picking them up according to their needful avoiding hazardous searching.

Slogans on Human Rights

• The rights of every man are decreased
• when the rights of one man are questioned
• Stand and fight together for human rights
• Celebrate human rights day every day 
• Your rights give you a voice; don’t waste it, utilize it.
• Struggle, but only for fair and honest.
• Don’t be laid back about this, it is your right, go get it.

UNAB’s New book

Contemporary World Bangabandhu’s Vision

Times move on. Within this stream at times we look back to something that preciously befit all the moving time. The book “Contemporary World- Bangabandhu’s Vision” is such a time tested excellent work of UNAB. It is a tribute of UNAB family to our father of the Nation at his birth centenary the Nation is observing with deep respect.

What is the specialty of this book? Yes this book is entirely meant for focusing Bangabandhu’s holistic views on foreign affairs and policies starting from mid-1950. First it came into light in his speeches in Pakistan Constituent Assembly.lt developed into a six-point program and Awami League Election Manifesto, 1970. After Independence, a country like Bangladesh needs a savvy foreign policy keeping herself from secured distance of big powers play in South Asia. At that time neither Sino-American axis nor Middle-Eastern Kingdom were taking off hands to recognize Bangladesh. Pakistan was trying to confuse the Governments sympathetic to them.Pressure from Sino-American axis to solve the issue of detention of defeated Pakistani soldiers, trial of war crimes committed by prisoners of war, miserable condition of stranded Bangalees in Pakistan camps, repatriation of Pakistani nationals stranded in Bangladesh, refusal of Pakistan to share the assets and shambles economy particularly external economy made the entire atmosphere messed up. It was the Bangabandhu, his steadfastness and acumen anchored Bangladesh at place where he declared ” friendship to all, malice to none”. This pragmatic foreign policy of Bangabandhu reached Bangladesh an estuary where participating in non- align movement and OIC and common wealth became balanced to Bangladesh. This book gives a vivid picture of all this dynamics. This book is a compilation of addresses, statements and messages delivered by Bangabandhu on foreign affairs as Prime Minister (Jan 1972-Jan 1975) and President (Jan-Aug1975) reflecting his sagacity on contemporary World scenario.

To understand Bangabandhu’s vision on World affairs, this book is the best recipe for every researcher, specialized student of International relation and inquisitive reader’s appetite. It is a marvelous creation of UNAB and for this Syed Mohammad Shahed, Secretary General of UNAB could deserve thanks for its editing.