Dhaka, Sept 30 (V7N) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman advocated for reasoning, debate, education and humanity over weapons as instruments of change while outlining Bangladesh's position on global peace and humanitarian issues at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), his Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly said today.
"The Prime Minister in his UNGA address said that he wants to see the United Nations play a role where reason, debate, education and humanity, rather than weapons, serve as the instruments of bringing any change," he told a press conference at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon.
Shibly said in his maiden UNGA address at its 81st session, the premier spoke for global peace and humanity, highlighting the interconnectedness of countries in the era of globalisation. The press secretary said Tarique Rahman also spoke about climate change and the global energy crisis and placed Bangladesh's perspectives on the major issues before the international community.
Citizens' Empowerment
Shibly said the Prime Minister repeatedly emphasized citizens' empowerment at UNGA, saying a state could never become strong by keeping its citizens powerless. "He has said this in Bangladesh, and he said it at the United Nations," he said.
Shibly said the Prime Minister also outlined the government's programmes for the economic and political empowerment of the people, including the Family Card, Farmers Card and other planned initiatives.
He said the Prime Minister concluded his UNGA speech with a vision of a Bangladesh where young people would be able to pursue their dreams without fear or hindrance, women would be able to lead their lives with confidence and every child would have the opportunity to develop their full potential. "Above all, the people will have the assurance of a safe and peaceful life," Shibly quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
The press secretary said the Prime Minister's UNGA address was not merely a routine speech, as its messages were subsequently reflected in his multiple bilateral, multilateral and sideline engagements during his four-day stay in New York. "Each of his statements was taken to the global stage and the global arena. The representatives of different countries at the United Nations received those messages," he said.
Shibly said Tarique Rahman participated in at least 30 events during the four working days of his visit, where he discussed issues including the Rohingya crisis, climate change, peace and UN peacekeeping. He said members of the Prime Minister's entourage also took part in around 50 additional engagements on various issues.
Shibly said the Prime Minister's New York visit also demonstrated a change in the country's political culture, referring to the relatively small delegation accompanying him. "Officially, there were only 35 people with the Prime Minister," he said, adding that he travelled by regular commercial flights instead of a chartered aircraft.
Shibly also said the Prime Minister was working not only for political and economic empowerment but also to revive Bangladesh's longstanding religious, social and family values and build a humane society based on mutual respect. "He wants to establish a vibrant society where people will respect one another, where elders will love and care for younger people and younger people will respect their elders," he said.
The press secretary said the Prime Minister sought to set examples through his own conduct before presenting them to others. He also described the Prime Minister's approach as one based on tolerance and humanity and said the government wanted to build a safe and humane Bangladesh.
Referring to the country's political past, Shibly said Bangladesh had gone through a prolonged period of repression and a "culture of fear," and called for patience as the country moved towards a new phase. He said the Prime Minister wanted to pursue politics free from revenge and build a humane society. "If we fail to make proper use of the opportunity now available to build a beautiful state and society with humane characteristics, it will not bring good results for all of us," he said.
Shibly said the Prime Minister's UNGA visit should therefore be viewed in the context of the broad range of issues he raised and discussed across his engagements, rather than only through his General Debate speech.
Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, Prime Minister's Speech Writer Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Press Secretaries Hasan Shiplu and Md Suzauddhowla (Sujan Mahmud), and Assistant Press Secretaries Gazi Shahriar Pamir and KM Nazmul Haque Khan were present at the press conference.
end/aj/rh/
