Hasina seeks joint efforts of all states to face poverty, terrorism
Reported by: Golam Moinuddin, UNB Staff Writer
Reported on: May 29, 2012 22:40 PM
Reported in: National
Reported on: May 29, 2012 22:40 PM
Reported in: National
DOHA (Qatar), May 29 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for joint efforts of all states to face the twin challenges of poverty and terrorism to secure global peace and harmony for future generations.
Terming poverty a major “challenge of change” in the region, she said she believes that poverty is the number one common enemy as it provides the breeding ground for another challenge of terrorism.
The Prime Minister made the remarks in her keynote speech at the gala dinner of ‘US-Islamic World Forum’ 2012 held at The Ritz Carlton Hotel here this (Tuesday) evening.
The three-day Forum is being organized by the State of Qatar and the Brookings Institute.
Martin Indyk, Vice President and Director, Foreign Policy at Brookings, United States made the introductory remarks.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani and Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu also spoke on the occasion.
Hasina emphasized on opening minds and hearts of all in assessing the needs of others, and be willing to compromise and make sacrifice, on the basis of justice and fairness, and thereby, achieve a world of peace and harmony, for the future generations.
She said the remedy to overcome the challenges is to prosper, for which connectivity allowing increasing trade, investment and economic activities, is very important.
“Our excellent relations with the neighbors, based on mutual respect, reciprocity and justice, have helped us all make good progress in developing connectivity in South Asia.”
The Prime Minister said the regional cooperation against terrorism is also excellent.
“As a victim myself, losing 18 family members, including three brothers -- one only 10 years old, my mother, and my father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also the Father of the Nation, to assassins on 15 August 1975, I am against terrorism.”
She said that her resolve is cemented by the 19 attempts on her life, especially the grenade attack on 21 August 2004 at a public rally in capital Dhaka held in protest against terrorism, causing death of 24 people with hundreds other injured.
“My effort to eliminate terrorism from Bangladesh has been fully endorsed and supported by our good friends around the world.”
Hasina also stressed the need for support from resourceful and developed nations for the least developed countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh in tackling the problems like green house gas emissions, economic migration and terrorism.
Boundaries lose significance in a globalized world, she said called for united universal effort in facing the challenge of climate change, population increase, fresh water shortages, and other challenges of change.
The Prime Minister thanked the organizers for the impeccable arrangements made, and for selecting this Forum’s theme, ‘New Voices New Directions,’
emphasizing the challenges of change.
She said that after half a century in politics for people, she now believes that justice is the key to peace and peaceful change is best for societies, states, and the world.
“Societies thrive in peace when justice ensures the basic needs of the people. Similarly, states thrive when relations are based on justice and peace.”
She added: “I also believe that absence of justice leads to inequalities culminating in social turmoil, instability in societies, states and in regions.”
Hasina said it has, therefore, been for justice, a basic tenet and character of democracy, in all spheres of life that led to the birth of Bangladesh, and adoption of a Constitution that enshrined democracy, inclusiveness and human rights.
“Democracy, also respects freedom and harmonious living, and encourages sustainable development, which strengthen justice and empower people.”
With deep faith in these beliefs, she said she had introduced a resolution on “People’s Empowerment” that was adopted by the 66th UN General Assembly in New York last year.
“Thus, on assuming office in January 2009, I made efforts to entrench democracy and people’s empowerment by strengthening our Commissions on Human Rights, Information, Anti-Corruption and Election.”
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is fortunate to attract attention, possibly due to its secular, inclusive society of people of mixed ethnicities who are also non-violent in nature.
“Though 90% of our 160 million people are Muslims, we are exceptionally tolerant, and are all-embracing in nature and temperament.”
She said Bangladesh’s foreign policy dictum is “Friendship towards all, Malice towards none” as established by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the national psyche is “Live and Let Live”.
“Thus, followers of all religions in our country have found harmony and peace
in living together.”
In this respect, Hasina said Bangladesh is similar to the United States, and this is the basis of the two countries’ friendship. Bangladesh is included in all the four initiatives of President Obama, namely, on health; climate change; feed the future; and engagement with the Muslim world.
“The United States is also our strong partner in democracy, rule of law, women empowerment, education, social safety nets, and countering
terrorism, etc.
”There is no doubt that the United States, the Islamic and the entire world have understood the need to live together and face unitedly the new and deadly challenges of change, threatening our global village.”
She also observed that in this ever evolving arrangement, there will be difficulties and complexities calling for greater tolerance, understanding, cooperation and adjustment.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Election Commission updated the voter’s list, prepared voters’ identity cards, and introduced electronic voting
machines for fair and credible elections.
She said that so far, 5,175 elections were held under the present Awami League government, stretching from local government level elections to that of Mayors and by-election of MPs, “to the satisfaction of all political parties, a unique feature in the history of the country’s elections.”
While sharing the experience of Bangladesh’s journey to democracy, rule of law and social justice, Hasina said: “For social justice, our focus is on education, healthcare, food and energy security, social safety measures, better livelihood, and gender equality in all spheres of life.”
She said women are particularly assured of special support in education, healthcare, jobs, business, trade and entrepreneurship. “Our ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged, the disabled and the elderly also receive the attention they deserve as citizens.”
The Prime Minister said that the friends of Bangladesh are also supporting the government’s efforts in tackling the challenges of development.
She said that despite the recent world recession, Bangladesh managed GDP growth rate in the last three years of over 6 percent and also reduced poverty by 10 percent through education, healthcare, social safety nets, and
overall socio-economic development.
In education, she said Bangladesh achieved 99 percent school enrollment at the primary level, and gender equality at both primary and secondary levels.
Hasina said healthcare service is delivered through 11,500 community health
centres in the rural areas. “Our success in reducing maternal mortality was lauded by the UN, and in child mortality was rewarded by the UN MDG-4 Award in 2010.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh’s social safety nets include increasing pension and number of old people, widowed and distressed women; Ashrayan or homes for the homeless; “One Home-One Farm” for small land owners, and
employment of one member from every poor family.
Moreover, she said food security is a success story with steady delivery of fertilizers, seeds, agricultural information, drought and flood resistant rice varieties.
The Prime Minister said climate change challenges are being met by a 134- point adaptation and mitigation plan which includes, dredging of rivers,
afforesting 20 percent of land to create a carbon sink, improving disaster early warning system, green belts on coastal and river embankments, promoting renewable energy, etc.
Terming disaster-induced migrants as a major challenge of climate change, she said: “Climate change is not our doing, but of the developed and emerging economies. The problem should, therefore, be solved by relocating the migrants to their countries.”
Hasina said this will also meet the developed economies’ challenge of decreasing population and labour shortages which are adversely affecting their economic growth.
She mentioned that at present, the government in Bangladesh is meeting these challenges through its own Climate Change Trust Fund as well as through Climate Change Resilience Fund set up by its development partners.
Internet services connecting 4,501 Union Information and Service Centers, 483 Upazillas and the 64 districts; 30 million internet and 90 million mobile subscribers; are boosting Bangladesh’s progress, she added.
Terming poverty a major “challenge of change” in the region, she said she believes that poverty is the number one common enemy as it provides the breeding ground for another challenge of terrorism.
The Prime Minister made the remarks in her keynote speech at the gala dinner of ‘US-Islamic World Forum’ 2012 held at The Ritz Carlton Hotel here this (Tuesday) evening.
The three-day Forum is being organized by the State of Qatar and the Brookings Institute.
Martin Indyk, Vice President and Director, Foreign Policy at Brookings, United States made the introductory remarks.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani and Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu also spoke on the occasion.
Hasina emphasized on opening minds and hearts of all in assessing the needs of others, and be willing to compromise and make sacrifice, on the basis of justice and fairness, and thereby, achieve a world of peace and harmony, for the future generations.
She said the remedy to overcome the challenges is to prosper, for which connectivity allowing increasing trade, investment and economic activities, is very important.
“Our excellent relations with the neighbors, based on mutual respect, reciprocity and justice, have helped us all make good progress in developing connectivity in South Asia.”
The Prime Minister said the regional cooperation against terrorism is also excellent.
“As a victim myself, losing 18 family members, including three brothers -- one only 10 years old, my mother, and my father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also the Father of the Nation, to assassins on 15 August 1975, I am against terrorism.”
She said that her resolve is cemented by the 19 attempts on her life, especially the grenade attack on 21 August 2004 at a public rally in capital Dhaka held in protest against terrorism, causing death of 24 people with hundreds other injured.
“My effort to eliminate terrorism from Bangladesh has been fully endorsed and supported by our good friends around the world.”
Hasina also stressed the need for support from resourceful and developed nations for the least developed countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh in tackling the problems like green house gas emissions, economic migration and terrorism.
Boundaries lose significance in a globalized world, she said called for united universal effort in facing the challenge of climate change, population increase, fresh water shortages, and other challenges of change.
The Prime Minister thanked the organizers for the impeccable arrangements made, and for selecting this Forum’s theme, ‘New Voices New Directions,’
emphasizing the challenges of change.
She said that after half a century in politics for people, she now believes that justice is the key to peace and peaceful change is best for societies, states, and the world.
“Societies thrive in peace when justice ensures the basic needs of the people. Similarly, states thrive when relations are based on justice and peace.”
She added: “I also believe that absence of justice leads to inequalities culminating in social turmoil, instability in societies, states and in regions.”
Hasina said it has, therefore, been for justice, a basic tenet and character of democracy, in all spheres of life that led to the birth of Bangladesh, and adoption of a Constitution that enshrined democracy, inclusiveness and human rights.
“Democracy, also respects freedom and harmonious living, and encourages sustainable development, which strengthen justice and empower people.”
With deep faith in these beliefs, she said she had introduced a resolution on “People’s Empowerment” that was adopted by the 66th UN General Assembly in New York last year.
“Thus, on assuming office in January 2009, I made efforts to entrench democracy and people’s empowerment by strengthening our Commissions on Human Rights, Information, Anti-Corruption and Election.”
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is fortunate to attract attention, possibly due to its secular, inclusive society of people of mixed ethnicities who are also non-violent in nature.
“Though 90% of our 160 million people are Muslims, we are exceptionally tolerant, and are all-embracing in nature and temperament.”
She said Bangladesh’s foreign policy dictum is “Friendship towards all, Malice towards none” as established by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the national psyche is “Live and Let Live”.
“Thus, followers of all religions in our country have found harmony and peace
in living together.”
In this respect, Hasina said Bangladesh is similar to the United States, and this is the basis of the two countries’ friendship. Bangladesh is included in all the four initiatives of President Obama, namely, on health; climate change; feed the future; and engagement with the Muslim world.
“The United States is also our strong partner in democracy, rule of law, women empowerment, education, social safety nets, and countering
terrorism, etc.
”There is no doubt that the United States, the Islamic and the entire world have understood the need to live together and face unitedly the new and deadly challenges of change, threatening our global village.”
She also observed that in this ever evolving arrangement, there will be difficulties and complexities calling for greater tolerance, understanding, cooperation and adjustment.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Election Commission updated the voter’s list, prepared voters’ identity cards, and introduced electronic voting
machines for fair and credible elections.
She said that so far, 5,175 elections were held under the present Awami League government, stretching from local government level elections to that of Mayors and by-election of MPs, “to the satisfaction of all political parties, a unique feature in the history of the country’s elections.”
While sharing the experience of Bangladesh’s journey to democracy, rule of law and social justice, Hasina said: “For social justice, our focus is on education, healthcare, food and energy security, social safety measures, better livelihood, and gender equality in all spheres of life.”
She said women are particularly assured of special support in education, healthcare, jobs, business, trade and entrepreneurship. “Our ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged, the disabled and the elderly also receive the attention they deserve as citizens.”
The Prime Minister said that the friends of Bangladesh are also supporting the government’s efforts in tackling the challenges of development.
She said that despite the recent world recession, Bangladesh managed GDP growth rate in the last three years of over 6 percent and also reduced poverty by 10 percent through education, healthcare, social safety nets, and
overall socio-economic development.
In education, she said Bangladesh achieved 99 percent school enrollment at the primary level, and gender equality at both primary and secondary levels.
Hasina said healthcare service is delivered through 11,500 community health
centres in the rural areas. “Our success in reducing maternal mortality was lauded by the UN, and in child mortality was rewarded by the UN MDG-4 Award in 2010.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh’s social safety nets include increasing pension and number of old people, widowed and distressed women; Ashrayan or homes for the homeless; “One Home-One Farm” for small land owners, and
employment of one member from every poor family.
Moreover, she said food security is a success story with steady delivery of fertilizers, seeds, agricultural information, drought and flood resistant rice varieties.
The Prime Minister said climate change challenges are being met by a 134- point adaptation and mitigation plan which includes, dredging of rivers,
afforesting 20 percent of land to create a carbon sink, improving disaster early warning system, green belts on coastal and river embankments, promoting renewable energy, etc.
Terming disaster-induced migrants as a major challenge of climate change, she said: “Climate change is not our doing, but of the developed and emerging economies. The problem should, therefore, be solved by relocating the migrants to their countries.”
Hasina said this will also meet the developed economies’ challenge of decreasing population and labour shortages which are adversely affecting their economic growth.
She mentioned that at present, the government in Bangladesh is meeting these challenges through its own Climate Change Trust Fund as well as through Climate Change Resilience Fund set up by its development partners.
Internet services connecting 4,501 Union Information and Service Centers, 483 Upazillas and the 64 districts; 30 million internet and 90 million mobile subscribers; are boosting Bangladesh’s progress, she added.
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