Dhaka 26 October 2017: In observance of United Nations Day, UNRC Office with the support of UN System organized a reception for the stakeholders associated with different UN agencies in Bangladesh. The Bangla translated version of volumous UN DPI publications – Aajker Jatisongho (Basic Facts About United Nations) was formally launched by Hon’ble Finance Minister and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh. UN Secretary-General’s video message on UN Day was screened before the participants, a documentary composing of photographs of UN system-wide works was also screened before the audiences.The senior officials of different ministries including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Fianance and Planning, Ministry of Public Administration, Chief of Army, Inspector General Police and other dignitories, diplomats, NGO representatives, civil society organizations, academicians and young leaders participated in the reception. The copies of Bangla version of Basic Facts about United Nations were distributed among the stakeholders who took part in the reception. UNIC Dhaka translated and published the book to cater the need of Bangla readers in home and abroad.
Monthly Archives: October 2017
Bangladesh Engineering Company Repairs Road from Juba to Ladu
James Ohisa and Juma Ochi
27 Oct 2017: Work has begun on repairing a major road linking the capital Juba to communities living in the north of the city by Bangladeshi engineers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
The maintenance operation will cover 18 kilometres of road and is expected to be completed in six weeks’ time. The state of roads across South Sudan is causing significant problems for local communities and traders as well as the UN peacekeeping mission with war and weather devastating key infrastructure such as bridges and culverts and turning the surfaces into mud.
The Bangladeshi Project Officer, Major Kamrul Hasan, said the road maintenance would improve the situation for travellers as well as enable the engineering contingent to more easily access a gravel collection site.
The project is posing some major challenges.
“One of the major setback that is affecting our activities here is bad weather, there have been very heavy rain falls, which obstructed the progress of our work,” said Major Kamrul Hasan. “At one point soldiers at a check point also prevented us from collecting gravel despite the county commissioner giving us permission to do so”.
However, he said the community was very supportive with many of those passing waving in appreciation as they carried out their work.
Local authorities in the area have also expressed their appreciation with Ladu Deputy Commissioner Sapana Ginaba saying that road improvements would ease transportation woes in the area and encourage development.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Message on United Nations Day – 24 October 2017
Our world faces many grave challenges.
Widening conflicts and inequality.
Extreme weather and deadly intolerance.
Security threats – including nuclear weapons.
We have the tools and wealth to overcome these challenges. All we need is the will.
The world’s problems transcend borders.
We have to transcend our differences to transform our future.
When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people – they will build a peaceful, sustainable and just world.
On United Nations Day, let us, ‘We the Peoples’, make this vision a reality.
Thank you. Shokran. Xie Xie. Merci. Spasibo. Gracias. Obrigado. Yet
Press Statement from the UN Resident Coordinator, Bangladesh: Rohingya Refugee Crisis Pledging Conference in Geveva, 23 October 2017
GENEVA/DHAKA, 23 October: At the Pledging Conference for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis held in Geneva on 23 October, the international community came together and vowed to stand with the refugees in Bangladesh, committing to provide US$340 million to the ongoing humanitarian response.
At the beginning of October, the humanitarian community in Bangladesh released a Response Plan that called for $434 million. Since then the number of refugees in Bangladesh has continued to rise, with tens of thousands of people still making the journey across the border every week.
Prior to the Pledging Conference, the Response Plan was funded at only 27 percent. The commitments delivered at the conference were an opportunity for the international community to collectively mobilize resources to provide life-saving assistance to refugees, and members of the host community, in Cox’s Bazar. Continue reading
Building Peace Through Football: Bangladesh battalion commanding officer in Wau, said sporting events like this help keep young people away from criminal activity
ZENEBE TEKLEWOLD
The referee blew the final whistle as the sun set behind the cloud filled sky.
Playing on a dusty red football pitch surrounded by lush greenery in Wau in the Western Bahr el Ghazal region, a friendly match between Masharuch and Darfur ended in a one-one draw.
Colonel Reazur Rahman, the Bangladesh battalion commanding officer in Wau, said sporting events like this help keep young people away from criminal activity.
“Local people here, especially the young, love to watch and play football,” said Colonel Rahman. “We hope that one day they will play in bigger tournaments.”
Franco Abuna Anthona, a player from the Musharuch team, said sport brings people together and builds confidence and reconciliation between South Sudanese people.
“There is nothing that brings people together like sports,” he said.
Both teams received footballs and jerseys from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to use during games and practice.
“The visit and support by UNMISS has made us very happy,” said Adul Mahumud Mohamed from the Darfur team. “We will now come here regularly to train and hopefully more people will come to watch the games.”
On behalf of the teams, Mr. Anthona said that they appreciated efforts by the Mission and Bangladeshi peacekeepers for organizing the football match.
UNMISS Bangladeshi peacekeepers recently provided medical care for more than 300 local residents at a one-day “medical camping” facility.
Their veterinarian peacekeepers have also treated more than 600 animals as part of the contingent’s outreach programme.
Application for UN Young Leader 2017
Last September, the United Nations announced the inaugural class of the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals – 17 young change-makers whose leadership is catalyzing the achievement of the Goals. From food to fashion to finance, the Young Leaders come from many different backgrounds, represent every region in the world and help activate young people in support of the Goals. The call for applications for the next class of Young Leaders of SDGs is now live!
Convened by the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, these Young Leaders are recognized for their leadership and contribution to a more sustainable world. The Young Leaders come together as a community to support efforts to engage young people in the realization of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks. Young Leaders will be expected to actively support one or more of the following objectives:
Advocate for the Goals, in ways most accessible and relatable to young people across different contexts; Promote innovative ways of engaging their audiences and peers in the advocacy and realization of the Goals; Contribute to a brain trust of young leaders supporting the UN and partners for key moments and initiatives related to the Goals. Continue reading