State Minister Shama Obaed Islam urges a stronger United Nations, greater international solidarity, sustainable Rohingya repatriation and support for Bangladesh's LDC graduation.
DHAKA, October 24: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for a stronger and more effective United Nations, urging greater international solidarity to address global challenges, support sustainable development and build a more peaceful world.
“An effective UN and stronger international solidarity are essential to addressing today’s global challenges and building a peaceful, prosperous and just world,” she said at a UN Day celebration organised by Zonta International, District 25, and Zonta Clubs of Bangladesh at Crowne Plaza Dhaka on Saturday.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to multilateralism under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Shama Obaed said Bangladesh remained committed to the UN's three pillars of development, peace and security, and human rights.
She highlighted Bangladesh's longstanding contributions to UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding, as well as its role in promoting dialogue, building consensus and strengthening international cooperation.
The state minister also referred to Bangladesh's engagement in the ongoing 81st session of the UN General Assembly, presided over by Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, saying the country continued to pursue constructive engagement on international issues.
Shama Obaed stressed the importance of predictable international support, affordable financing, technology transfer and continued market access as Bangladesh advances towards its aspirations for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.
She said these forms of support were essential for countries such as Bangladesh seeking to sustain development gains while navigating changing global economic conditions.
For Bangladesh, the transition from LDC status carries implications for trade preferences, export competitiveness, access to development financing and the capacity of domestic industries to compete in international markets.
Her remarks underscored the importance of international cooperation in helping developing economies manage structural challenges and maintain progress towards the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The state minister also highlighted women's contributions to international peace and security, praising Bangladeshi women serving in UN peacekeeping operations.
She called for stronger efforts to address gender-based violence, digital harassment and barriers to equal opportunities, stressing the need to ensure women's meaningful participation in public life and peacebuilding.
Referring to initiatives such as the recently launched Dhaka Dialogue, she emphasised their potential role in advancing the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda.
The agenda seeks to strengthen women's participation in conflict prevention, peace negotiations and peacebuilding while improving protection against conflict-related violence.
Bangladesh has contributed personnel to UN peacekeeping missions for decades, making women's participation and protection an important dimension of the country's engagement with the organisation.
On the Rohingya crisis, Shama Obaed called for stronger UN engagement to facilitate the early and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their ancestral homes in Myanmar.
The issue remains a major humanitarian and diplomatic concern for Bangladesh, which hosts a large population of Rohingya refugees who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar.
A sustainable solution requires conditions that allow refugees to return voluntarily, safely and with dignity, alongside credible guarantees for their security and rights.
The state minister's appeal highlights Bangladesh's continuing efforts to secure greater international attention and cooperation towards resolving the protracted crisis.
The event was attended by Lulzim Pllana, ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Bangladesh, who joined as the special guest.
Members of the diplomatic community, representatives of Zonta International and Zonta Clubs of Bangladesh, and other distinguished guests also attended the celebration.
The observance provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of multilateral cooperation at a time when international institutions face growing challenges in addressing conflicts, development gaps and humanitarian crises.
Bangladesh's call for a stronger UN reflects its stated priorities on sustainable development, international peacekeeping, women's empowerment and the resolution of the Rohingya crisis through international cooperation.
