Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the United Nations to play a more decisive and robust role in resolving many of today's intractable challenges such as the Rohingya crisis.

“There’re still areas where the UN can play a more decisive and robust role in resolving many of today’s intractable challenges such as the Rohingya crisis,” she said in a message issued on the occasion of the UN’s 75th founding anniversary.

Sheikh Hasina said the world is still beset with poverty, hunger, armed conflicts, terrorism, insecurity, climate change – all of which call for concerted efforts and greater action.

“As we agreed in the declaration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, our challenges today are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism. Only together can we build resilience against future pandemics and other global challenges,” she added.

The Prime Minister has reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to the principles and objectives enshrined in the UN Charter and called for working together to build resilience against future pandemics and other global challenges.

She reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to working together with the UN and international community in responding to all shared challenges to create a peaceful, sustainable, inclusive, and just world.

She mentioned that 2020 is a challenging year because of the outbreak of the Covid-19.

"Since early 2020, the pandemic continues to ravage through and reverberate around the world. It has put enormous strains on our societies, economies, health systems, lives and livelihoods, businesses and export earnings. Only by working together and in solidarity can we end the pandemic and effectively tackle its consequences,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said by working together and in solidarity, the countries can only face the pandemic and effectively tackle its consequences.

Over the last 75 years, the United Nations has worked to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, including the equal rights of women and men.

She said this year holds a special significance for Bangladesh as the nation is celebrating the birth centenary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Prime Minister recalled that Bangabandhu in his maiden speech at the UNGA in 1974, made an unequivocal commitment to global peace, and called for promotion of human rights, justice, and the rule of law nationally and globally.

“Our engagement with the United Nations is guided by his adept philosophy and vision,” she added.

Terming Bangladesh as an active, contributing, and responsible member of the UN in maintaining global peace and security, the Prime Minister said it has emerged as one of the leaders in peacekeeping missions by adhering to its long-standing ‘Culture of Peace’.

The Prime Minister said the government has also made exemplary achievements in implementing the SDGs, increasing women empowerment, enhancing access to economic and social rights, achieving food security, and reducing inequalities.

She said Bangladesh is on the right track to become a middle-income country by 2021, a developed country by 2041, and a prosperous Delta by 2100.

The Prime Minister said with a concrete and meaningful roadmap for shaping the future, the UN can guide the countries in the endeavour to build a secure future for all where security would be guaranteed, development ensured, and human rights protected.