USANewsOnline.Con, New York : The President of the General Assembly (PGA),Csaba Kőrösi applauded Bangladesh’s remarkable leadership, productive engagement, and significant contribution in recent time in various aspects of the United Nations. The PGA was talking to the Foreign Minister (FM) of Bangladesh, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP at a bilateral meeting held at the UN Headquarters, 30 September.
At the outset of the meeting, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister presented two proposals to PGA. These are, to organize a high-level event on ‘Review of the implementation of SDGs’ and to take initiative to create a forum of the Finance, Foreign and Development Ministers for developing countries under South-South Cooperation (SSC). The Foreign Minister expressed concern on the funding gaps in the implementation of SDG, particularly in view of the Covid -19 pandemic. The proposed high-level event will bring opportunity to review the progress made towards implementing SDGs and the way forward to meet the funding gaps, the FM added. Regarding the forum of the Finance, Foreign and Development Ministers, FM said that this forum will create a suitable platform to have substantive dialogue on South-South Cooperation. The PGA appreciated the proposals of HFM.
The Foreign Minister also mentioned that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been able to maintaining a satisfactory GDP growth even amidst this pandemic. FM also informed PGA on how Bangladesh has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the PGA commended Bangladesh’s development trajectory including the GDP growth and applauded COVID-19 mitigation measures. The Foreign Minister also stated the importance of more funds for mitigation and adaptation of Climate Change effects. He further mentioned that the promise of providing USD100 billion funds per year should be materialized at the earliest. PGA expressed his support on this issue.
Regarding Rohingya issue, the Foreign Minister highlighted the steps taken by Bangladesh government on various issues including Covid management, providing education to Rohingya children in their own language, etc. FM also expressed his dissatisfaction for that, the fact not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to Myanmar yet. In reply, PGA commended Bangladesh’s role in providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas. He also said that the crisis is unacceptable.
FM invited PGA to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Meeting with the Under-Secretary-General of UN Peace Operations

During the meeting with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, said that Bangladesh has always played a leading role in the United Nations Peace Operations and will continue to do this. He mentioned that Bangladesh is ready to provide Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Base Defense Contingent, Infantry Contingent, and Police Contingent in the future. Besides, the foreign minister also called for appointing senior military and civilian officers at the leading level, especially force commanders. The Foreign Minister requested to use Bangladesh’s expertise, experience, and best practices in building sustainable peace in conflict countries. The Foreign Minister also reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to increase the number of women peacekeepers. He invited the USG to visit Bangladesh particularly to join the upcoming international seminar on women peace and security and the 26th Annual conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres(IAPTC)
Under-Secretary-General Lacroix praised the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their dutifulness, responsibility, and professional skills in the UN Peace Operations. He thanked Bangladesh for the recent deployment of the Infantry Battalion from Bangladesh to Abeyi, Sudan, Armored Helicopters and Quick Reaction Force contingents in Mali, Hospital Units in Central Africa, and deployment of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) contingents in Congo. Under-Secretary-General Lacroix expressed the hope that Bangladesh will continue to contribute to the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations, including women peacekeepers.