Dhaka: Bangladesh has been working tirelessly for the last eight years to ensure the rights and wellbeing of the persons with disabilities, including those affected by autism and other neuro-developmental disorders, thus made the country a role model for Autism Awareness in the world, says a Bangladesh envoy.

Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Masud Bin Momen said this at a high-level side event of UN World Autism Awareness Day, held at the UN Headquarters on Friday.

The event entitled ‘Populations in Movement: Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges to Ensure Care and Services to Migrants with Autism and Developmental Disabilities’, co-hosted by Bangladesh Mission with Mission of Quatar and Autism Speaks Globally, co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Chaina, India and Turkey, said a press release on Saturday.

The Permanent Representative of Bangladesh said, "Bangladesh is among the few countries in our region that has not only ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but also ratified the Optional Protocol. Bangladesh has also included autism, neurodevelopment disorders and disabilities related issues with the National 7th Five Year Plan for 2016-2021".

Underscoring the contributions of Saima Hossain, Member WHO's Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health, Chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism of Bangladesh and daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ambassador said, "She has been the inspirational figure for many for her relentless and innovative works for the wellbeing of the persons with autism. Her efforts in adopting Dhaka Declaration and formation of the South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) brought autism to the forefront in our region and beyond".

H went on saying, "Bangladesh also took lead in the adoption of the first UN General Assembly Resolution 67/82 on ‘Addressing the Socioeconomic Needs of Individuals, Families and Societies living with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities' on 12 December 2012."

The Ambassador informed that Bangladesh, in collaboration with Bhutan and WHO, is arranging International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders from 19-21 April, 2017 in Thimpu, Bhutan.

Permanent Representative Masud Bin Momen said, "Today's event gives us a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the Migrants with Autism and Developmental Disabilities, probably one of the most vulnerable group of people in the world. We believe the migrants with autism and developmental disabilities deserve especial global attention, specially under the auspices of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development which commits to realizing the overarching objective of leaving ‘no one behind."

The event was moderated by Pamela Falk, CBS News, UN Resident Correspondent while Maher Nasser, Assistant Secretary General for Communications and Public Information, UN, read out the statement of Secretary General and the Permanent Representatives of Qatar, India, Bulgeria, Chaina, Turkey and President of Autism Speaks Globally also made their valuable remarks at the high level opening segment of this event.

Werner Obermeyer from WHO, Suzanne Sheldon from IOM, Professor Donald Wertlieb from Tufts University, Melissa Diamond from ‘A global Voice for Autism' and Zsuzsanna Szilvasy from Autism-Europe also made remarks as expert panelists.