Message of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the International Day of Peace

This year we mark International Day of Peace as we prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This foundational document is a reminder that peace takes root when people are free from hunger, poverty and oppression and can thrive and prosper.

With the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as our guide, we must ensure the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I encourage you to speak up. For gender equality. For inclusive societies. For climate action.

Do your part at school, at work, at home. Every step counts.

Let us act together to promote and defend human rights for all, in the name of lasting peace for all.

Message of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Int’l Day of Democracy – 15 September 2018 I Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World

This year’s International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers to the systemic challenges it faces. This includes tackling economic and political inequalities, making democracies more inclusive by bringing the young and marginalized into the political system, and making democracies more innovative and responsive to emerging challenges such as migration and climate change.

With this year’s 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Day of Democracy is also an opportunity to highlight the values of freedom and respect for human rights as essential elements of democracy. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government” (article 21.3), has inspired constitution-making around the world and contributed to global acceptance of democratic values and principles. Democracy, in turn, provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses democracy in Sustainable Development Goal 16 recognizing the indivisible links between peaceful societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.

UN in Bangladesh paid tribute to former Secretary-General Kofi Annan

United Nations in Bangladesh has paid tribute to the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who passed away on 18 August 2018 at Burn in Switzerland. A condolence meeting was arranged at UN Office in IDB Bhaban where UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo delivered a short speech on the life of Kofi Annan and the participants observed one minute silence for the salvation of departed soul. A photo animation was screened before the participants in the meeting. A condolence book for former UN Secretary-General was opened at UNIC Dhaka and UNICEF office during 27 August to 4 September 2018. The diplomats, UN officials, govt. official have paid their tribute to Kofi Annan by putting their heartfelt remarks in the condolence book. Photo Album

UN mourns death of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, ‘a guiding force for good’

“The United Nations is mourning the death of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who passed away peacefully after a short illness, according to a statement published on his official Twitter account on Saturday. The renowned Ghanaian diplomat was 80 years old”.

Mr. Annan was the seventh man to take the helm of the global organization and the first Secretary-General to emerge from the ranks of its staff.

The current UN chief, Antonio Guterres hailed him as “a guiding force for good” and a “proud son of Africa who became a global champion for peace and all humanity.”

“Like so many, I was proud to call Kofi Annan a good friend and mentor. I was deeply honoured by his trust in selecting me to serve as UN High Commissioner for Refugees under his leadership. He remained someone I could always turn to for counsel and wisdom — and I know I was not alone,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement. Continue reading →

Celebration of Int’l Youth Day 2018: Safe Spaces for Youth

Dhaka, 13 August 2018: In celebration of International Youth Day, a panel discussion on “Promoting Volunteerism and Safe Spaces for Youth” was organized by UNIC Dhaka, UNV Bangladesh and VSO Bangladesh with the cooperation of Dhaka University Model United Nations Association (DUMUNA) at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, University of Dhaka, on 13 August 2018. In inaugural session, Dr. Kazi Anowarul Haque, UN Wing Chief and Additional Secretary, Economic Relation Department spoke as chief guest while Mr. Shahed Bin Aziz, Sr. Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke as a Guest. In his speech, the chief guest said that youth have emotions and they have full of energy and we engage them with extra strength to contribute to make a better world.  He mentioned that volunteerism is a social responsibility for the society and community. Mr. Shahed praised the UNIC initiatives to reach the local people with UN messages in local language, he also emphasized  on safe spaces for youth for their own choice, activities, interest and participation in decision making process.

In the panel discussion, Mr. Aminul Islam Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of LGRD &  Cooperatives, Dr. Delwar Hossain, Professor Continue reading →

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Written Message on International Youth Day, 12 August 2018

The hopes of the world rest on young people.

Peace, economic dynamism, social justice, tolerance – all this and more, today and tomorrow, depends on tapping into the power of youth.

Yet more than 400 million young women and men live amidst armed conflict or organized violence.

Millions face deprivation, harassment, bullying and other infringements of their rights.

Young women and girls are particularly vulnerable.

The world’s young people need safe spaces — public, civic, physical and digital spaces where they can freely express their views and pursue their dreams.

We must invest so that young people have access to education, training and decent jobs to achieve their full potential.

The United Nations is strongly committed to listening to the voices of young people – and opening pathways for meaningful participation in decisions that affect them.

This September, we will launch a new strategy to step up our work with and for young people.

In making the world safe for young people, we make the world better for all.

I wish all a happy International Youth Day!

Interview with Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General’s Youth Envoy

Dhaka, 11 August 2018: Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General’s Youth Envoy has taken part in a number of interview with Bangladeshi media outlets during her visit to Bangladesh from 4 August to 11 August 2018. The UN Envoy has also visited Rohingya refugees camp in Cox’s Bazar.

Note to the Correspondents: Visit of the United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar to Bangladesh

Dhaka, 17 July 2018: United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener conducted her first official visit to Bangladesh from 14 to 16 July. In Dhaka, she met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, Major General Md. Saiful Abedin, Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque, the diplomatic community, and the UN country team. In Cox’s Bazar, she held discussions with the population in the Kutupalong camp, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam, and Senior Coordinator Sumbul Rizvi and the members of the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). She is grateful for the work of the humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations in the challenging environment.

Following the joint visit of the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank to Bangladesh earlier this month, the Special Envoy discussed the plight of the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and expressed her sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Bangladesh, in particular the host communities, for the efforts to accept and provide assistance to the people seeking refuge from violence. The Special Envoy underlined the need for greater international assistance to the refugees and host communities in addressing the harsh conditions they continue to face and also in terms of mitigating the risk of monsoons. Continue reading →