Dhaka: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon through a video message has commended icddr,b's decades of work towards solving public health challenges and saving lives.

In his message the Secretary-General said, ‘I commend the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research for its work over five decades to solve public health challenges and save lives.’

The Centre, he said, has helped to significantly reduce infant, child and maternal mortality in Bangladesh and beyond.

‘By focusing on interventions designed for the world's poorest people, you are directly contributing to sustainable development and the promise to leave no one behind. I am particularly grateful for your commitment to the Every Women Every Child movement,’ the UN chief was quoted as saying in a press release issued by icddr,b on Monday.

Promoting the health and wellbeing of children, adolescence and women will unleash vast potential and spur equitable inclusive growth, he said.

‘I count on your continuous support as we work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Together we can create a more inclusive, just and prosperous future for all.’

icddr,b's executive director professor John D. Clemens expressed his gratitude for the message and said, ‘We are grateful and honoured to have received this positive and supportive message from the UN Secretary-General. icddr,b is committed to developing innovative solutions and to generating scientific evidence to help Bangladesh and the global community achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.’

Earlier in 2011, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited icddr,b and received a better understanding of its work.