USA Bureau

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Mr. President,

I congratulate you on your election as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. We pledge our full support to you during your tenure as President. At the same time, I also express my gratitude to the outgoing President, Madam Annalena Baerbock, for her capable leadership.

At the outset, I pay my deepest respects to all the martyred freedom fighters of Bangladesh. I humbly recall the contribution of those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to establish democracy, justice, and human rights in the country since independence. I also pay my heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs and injured of the heroic student-people's mass uprising of July-August 2024 against fascism.

Following the path of over a decade and a half of movement and struggle against fascist rule and exploitation, Bangladesh is now free from fascism.

In this Bangladesh, in a fair, free, and impartial national election held on 12th February this year, the people have entrusted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP with the responsibility of running the state. I congratulate the pro-democracy people of the country. We believe that the people are the source of all our political power.

Mr. President,

Standing on this global stage of the United Nations at this moment, I feel somewhat nostalgic. Standing on this very global stage, my father, the Proclaimer of Bangladesh's Independence, Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, and my mother, former Prime Minister Late Khaleda Zia, delivered speeches on behalf of the country and its people. Likewise, today I too stand here in the interest of my country and people, and with the expectation of a peaceful world society.

In this era of globalization, whatever happens in any part of the world, every state is affected by its negative impacts to a greater or lesser extent. Existing man-made conflicts have created unstable situations in many countries today. A vast population is being displaced, giving rise to humanitarian crises. Due to war and conflict, the global economy is under severe strain. Economic conditions are deteriorating as a result of energy security crises, disruptions in global energy supply chains, and rising inflation.

We believe that the resolution of any conflict should come through dialogue, diplomatic processes, and mutual cooperation.

Equality, fairness, mutual interest, and the protection of honor and dignity among conflicting states should form the foundation of bilateral or multilateral relations. Our expectation is a peaceful world, a humane global society where reason, diplomacy, education, and humanity—rather than lethal weapons—become the instruments of change. Bangladesh wants to see the United Nations at the center of establishing a harmonious world society that respects each other's independence and sovereignty.

The trend of diverting development budgets to the military sector in various countries is an obstacle to world peace. As a peace-loving nation, Bangladesh is committed to the goals of complete and general disarmament, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and arms control. Today, I reiterate Bangladesh's support for any UN initiative dedicated to world humanity and global peace. The pro-democracy people of Bangladesh are deeply concerned about the plight of the freedom-loving Palestinian people. Bangladesh reaffirms its unwavering support for their legitimate demands, including the right to self-determination and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Mr. President,

In the ongoing global scenario, the theme of the 81st Session of the United Nations, "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All," is extremely relevant and timely. Bangladesh remains steadfast in the principle of multilateralism in maintaining international peace and security. As the Vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Bangladesh continues to serve as a strong voice for sustainable peace, conflict prevention, and inclusive peacebuilding. As members of UN Peacekeeping Missions, Bangladeshi peacekeepers are dedicated to serving humanity in various countries across the globe.

Despite adverse conditions, the brave participation of Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions reflects Bangladesh's firm commitment to advancing the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda. This year, Bangladesh is observing the 40th anniversary of the "Declaration on the Right to Development" and the 25th anniversary of the "Durban Declaration and Programme of Action."

Migration is as ancient as human civilization itself. In many countries around the world, migrants make significant contributions to the economies of both their homelands and destination countries. The Government of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring regular, safe, and orderly migration. Bangladesh expects stronger global cooperation in safeguarding the rights, dignity, and welfare of migrants.

Mr. President,

For more than nine years, Bangladesh has been forced to host over 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar. As a result, immense pressure has been placed on our resources, environment, security, and local population. Densely populated Bangladesh believes that the origin and root of the Rohingya crisis lie in Myanmar; therefore, its solution also rests there. Repatriating the displaced Rohingya population safely to their homeland in Myanmar is the only solution to this problem.

Bangladesh expects strong and effective support from the United Nations and the international community for a ultimate resolution to this crisis. Furthermore, I call upon the United Nations and the international community to continue life-saving aid programs for the displaced Rohingyas until they are repatriated to their home country, Myanmar. Failure of the international community to ensure justice for the displaced Rohingya population could turn this into a humanitarian crisis in the near future.

Mr. President,

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries facing the negative impacts of climate change. Although Bangladesh contributes negligibly to global carbon emissions, it bears the brunt of climate change's adverse effects. Under these circumstances, Bangladesh has chosen the path of building resilience to face these risks. Therefore, Bangladesh expects stronger global action at COP-31 regarding climate justice, climate financing, and adaptation support.

In Bangladesh, the government has strengthened environmental protection programs. As part of this, the government has launched a program to plant 250 million trees nationwide over the next five years. Emphasis has been placed on the use of clean energy and solar energy. To free the country from the curse of floods and droughts, a nationwide program to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals has been initiated.

To increase freshwater flow into the Sundarbans—the world's largest mangrove forest—and to store water through large reservoirs, implementation of the Teesta Comprehensive Plan and the 'Padma Barrage' project has also begun. At the same time, alongside strengthening domestic measures to conserve water and prevent pollution, the government has signed the 1992 'Water Convention,' reiterating its commitment to cross-border water management cooperation.

Mr. President,

After ending over a decade and a half of fascist rule and exploitation, Bangladesh became free from fascism in 2024. Having broken free from the curses of enforced disappearances, murders, abductions, corruption, looting, and money laundering that had become commonplace during the fascist regime, Bangladesh has now embarked once again on the path of democracy. To repair a Bangladesh scarred by fascist rule and exploitation, the government is pursuing the 3-R strategy: Recovery, Restoration, and Reconstruction.

An immense door of opportunity now stands open before Bangladesh. Taking advantage of the demographic dividend, the government has commenced implementing extensive programs to turn Bangladesh's active workforce into skilled human resources. Detailed steps have been taken to create widespread employment and develop Bangladesh into a 'Manufacturing Hub.' Bangladesh seeks to have its development partners by its side in this mammoth endeavor. To create opportunities for young entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators in the country to implement startup initiatives, the government has allocated $50 million in the current fiscal year.

Mr. President,

Women constitute more than half of the country's population. Consequently, women remain at the forefront of all government plans for socio-economic transformation. The government is prioritizing female education, female employment, and the creation of women entrepreneurs. To foster women entrepreneurs, particularly in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, the government has expanded cash financing opportunities for women. Free education for women up to the undergraduate level has been made universally accessible.

The government seeks to ensure not just electoral democracy, but also the democratization of the economy, so that the benefits of economic growth and prosperity reach every family and citizen. To achieve that goal, the government has already introduced assistance programs for economically disadvantaged people through various social protection initiatives such as the Family Card, Farmers Card, Sports Card, and e-Health Card.

The government considers the 'Family Card,' issued in the name of the female head of every family, as a symbol of women's economic empowerment. The government also plans to integrate these sector-specific support cards into a single 'Universal Card.'

Mr. President,

The government is implementing the 31-Point Program presented to the people before the national election on 12th February this year. At least 73 percent of the current government's 31-Point Program aligns directly, and 27 percent aligns indirectly, with the UN's SDG principle of 'Leave No One Behind.'

The government hopes that through the implementation of these programs, the development gap between urban and rural areas will be bridged, while simultaneously advancing accountability and inclusive sustainable development across all areas of Agenda 2030. The Bangladesh government has given special importance to education, health, and sports. For the first time in the country's history, the highest budget allocation has been granted to the education sector.

There is a plan to gradually increase the education budget to 5 percent of GDP over the next 5 years. Educational curricula have been formulated with an emphasis on technical and practical learning to ensure moral and job-oriented education.

For primary school students from the first grade onward, bags, school uniforms, and free school lunches are being provided. The government hopes this will increase student retention and the quality of education in schools. To establish sports as a profession, 'Sports' has been included as a subject in the school syllabus for the first time. As part of this initiative, over 2 million students participated in a month-long nationwide football tournament for school students last June.

Mr. President,

Science and technology will shape the future of tomorrow's world. We are entering a new era of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and science. Technology is advancing rapidly, but its opportunities are not yet equal for all. Bangladesh's vast youth population and growing digital capacity have created new possibilities for us. To capitalize on this potential, access to advanced technology, knowledge, and research opportunities must be brought within everyone's reach.

We do not want today's digital divide to become tomorrow's artificial intelligence divide. Bangladesh respects innovation and intellectual property. At the same time, ensuring technology transfer, capacity building, and affordable access to modern technology for developing countries is essential.

Let no country be left behind in this march of science. Bangladesh stands ready to work together to build a fair and prosperous future for all. Establishing effective UN guidelines to ensure that the development and rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and social media are utilized positively across nations is now the need of the hour.

Mr. President,

Bangladesh is awaiting graduation from the 'Least Developed Country' (LDC) category. To make this transition process sustainable for Bangladesh as well as for all other countries, continued support in areas such as guaranteed financing, greater market access, technology transfer, and capacity building is indispensable.

In today's global order, every country is interdependent. Bangladesh believes that, particularly at the regional level, through trade assistance and expansion, effective connectivity, and meaningful cooperation, we can assist one another in achieving prosperity.

The COVID-19 pandemic claimed the lives of millions of people worldwide. However, it sent a clear message to the world that for global society to survive, mutual assistance, empathy, and cooperation are imperative. Ensuring the sustainable production of vaccines, medical supplies, and diagnostic tools in developing countries is critical so that these remain accessible and affordable to all.

Mr. President,

A state can never become strong by leaving its citizens powerless. By ensuring the political and economic empowerment of the people, we want to establish a prosperous, self-reliant, welfare-oriented democratic state where everyone—regardless of party, opinion, religion, or caste—can live safely and peacefully with equal rights, honor, and dignity.

Mr. President,

The momentum of development continues in Bangladesh across all spheres: democracy, human rights, good governance, accountability, political stability, and the investment climate. The government is working to build a safe and stable Bangladesh that is friendly to business and investment.

In today's democratic Bangladesh, we welcome partnerships, innovation, and both domestic and foreign investment.

We want to build a Bangladesh where young people can fearlessly and freely seek the paths to realize their dreams, women can lead their lives with self-confidence, every child grows up with the opportunity to flourish to their full potential, and, above all, the people receive the assurance of a safe and peaceful life. That is why we say: 'Bangladesh First: Bangladesh for All.' Reaffirming Bangladesh's unreserved support for all the principles and values of the United Nations in establishing global peace, I conclude my address.

Mr. President,

Thank you.

Allah Hafiz.

Bangladesh Zindabad.