Category Archives: Latest News

Latest News of UN and the Centre

Envisioning sustainable future through addressing global challenges: Chittagong University Model UN conference organized

Chittagong, 27 January 2018: Youngsters are required to develop their leadership and communication skills for shaping a sustainable future through addressing global challenges. Model United Nations (MUN) is a platform to learn and develop the skills of negotiation, diplomacy, leadership, public speaking, writing and communication, based on them a four-day long Model UN conference was organized, in southeastern part of Bangladesh, by Chittagong University Model UN Association (CUMUNA) with the strategic partnership of UN Information Centre, Dhaka.

Four hundred delegates assembled in the Chittagong University Model UN conference 2019 at the University during the period of 24 to 27 January 2019. There were ten committees in the UN simulation. Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University oped the CUMUN on 24 January, UNIC National Information Officer flagged different UN issues like Sustainable development Goals (SDGs), youth engagement, UN4MUN and UN career in the concluding day. All the delegates were provided with a set of UN publications.

Bangladesh visit: End of mission statement by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Dhaka, 25 January 2019

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the last ten days, I have visited Thailand and Bangladesh, I have spoken to a range of people from Myanmar, as well as authorities, UN agencies, international experts and members of the international community. I extend my thanks to the governments of Thailand and Bangladesh, the UN Resident Coordinators in Thailand, Bangladesh and Myanmar and their staff, and the Senior Coordinator of the Inter-Sector Coordination Group in Cox’s Bazar and his team. I also thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh for allowing me to visit Bhashan Char and generously providing the logistics for me to travel there with my team. FULL STATEMENT

 

MESSAGE OF UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION – 24 JANUARY 2019

Today we celebrate the first International Day of Education.

Education transforms lives. As United Nations Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai once said: “one child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world”. Nelson Mandela rightly called education “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Long before I served at the United Nations or held public office in my own country, I was a teacher. In the slums of Lisbon, I saw that education is an engine for poverty eradication and a force for peace.

Today, education is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.

We need education to reduce inequalities and improve health.

We need education to achieve gender equality and eliminate child marriage.

We need education to protect our planet’s resources. Continue reading →

Engaging youth for initiating world peace through peace dialogue: Daffodil IMUN 2019 organized

Engaging youth in peace initiative an an important area for United Nations and Bangladesh, keeping that in priority a three-day long international model UN conference was organized by Daffodil International University (DIU) Model UN Association in association with United Nations Bangladesh and knowledge support by UNIC Dhaka during 17 to 19 January 2019 at the University campus. More than 250 delegates from different educational institutions and a number of guests from different organizations took part in the MUN conference. The conference was opened by former Bangladesh Ambassador to United States and Vice-President of Bangladesh Enterprises Institute H.E. Ambassador Humanyun Kabir. Among others, Chairman of DIU Md. Sabur Khan, UNRCO Sr. Communication Advisor Ari Gaitanis, UNIC NIO Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman and Pro-Vice Chancellor of DIU Prof. Dr. SM Mahbubul Hoque Mojumder spoke in the inaugural session. The theme of the conference was ‘Engaging youth for initiating world peace through peace dialogue’ and eight committees were worked during three days. The event was broadcast live through campus TV and FB page.

100th Anniversary of International Labour Organization: Taking ILO to the people

Join ILO, the specialised UN agency for the world of work, to celebrate its 100th anniversary throughout 2019. The ILO was founded in 1919 on the belief that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace. This centenary will offer an opportunity not only to look back and celebrate the ILO’s history and achievements but also to look forward to its future #ILO100

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Message on New Year, 1 January 2019

Dear fellow citizens of the world,

I wish you a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.

Last New Year, I issued a red alert, and the dangers I mentioned still persist. These are anxious times for many, and our world is undergoing a stress test.

Climate change is running faster than we are.

Geo-political divisions are deepening, making conflicts more difficult to resolve.

And record numbers of people are moving in search of safety and protection.

Inequality is growing. And people are questioning a world in which a handful of people hold the same wealth as half of humanity.

Intolerance is on the rise.

Trust is on the decline.

But there are also reasons for hope.

The talks on Yemen have created a chance for peace.

The agreement signed in Riyadh in September between Ethiopia and Eritrea has eased long-running tensions and brought improved prospects to an entire region.

And the agreement between the parties to the conflict in South Sudan has revitalized chances for peace, bringing more progress in the past four months than in the previous four years.

The United Nations was able to bring countries together in Katowice to approve the Work Programme for the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Now we need to increase ambition to beat this existential threat.

It’s time to seize our last best chance.

It’s time to stop uncontrolled and spiraling climate change.

In recent weeks, the United Nations also oversaw landmark global agreements on migration and refugees, that will help to save lives and overcome damaging myths.

And everywhere, people are mobilizing behind the Sustainable Development Goals – our global blueprint for peace, justice and prosperity on a healthy planet.

When international cooperation works, the world wins.

In 2019, the United Nations will continue to bring people together to build bridges and create space for solutions.

We will keep up the pressure.

And we will never give up.

As we begin this New Year, let’s resolve to confront threats, defend human dignity and build a better future — together.

I wish you and your families a peaceful and healthy New Year.

STATEMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE ELECTIONS IN BANGLADESH

The Secretary-General in the run-up to the 30 December general elections in Bangladesh calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll.

All Bangladeshi citizens, including minorities and women, must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process.

The Secretary-General reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

New York, 27 December 2018

70th Anniversary of UDHR: Human Rights Day Celebration – Short Film Festival, Discussion and Drama

Dhaka, 9 December 2018: To mark the Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations in Bangladesh in association with Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS), with support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the German government, organized a two-day long “Human Rights Short Film Festival 2018” from 8 to 9 December 2018 at Bangladesh Shishu Academy Auditorium, Dhaka. The theme of the festival is “Finding Bangladesh and South Asia in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 70 years later”.

On 9 December 2018, H.E. Mr. Peter Fahrenholtz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bangladesh, Ms. Mia Seppo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, and Mr. Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, Film maker, Mr. Sanjeeb Drong, Representative of Bangladesh Human Rights Forum, Mr. Aung Rakhine, Film maker, and Rashedul Hafiz, Lifetime Member, Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) graced the closing and the award giving ceremony of the film festival. They also joined a panel discussion on “Promoting and protecting human rights through film and other media – celebrating the 70th anniversary of the UDHR” with. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Abdul Quayum, Associate Editor, Prothom Alo.  Continue reading →

UN Serceretary-General’s Message on Human Rights Day 10 December 2018

For 70 years, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a global beacon – shining a light for dignity, equality and well-being … and bringing hope to dark places.

The rights proclaimed in the Declaration apply to everyone — no matter our race, belief, location or other distinction of any kind.

Human rights are universal and eternal.

They are also indivisible. One cannot pick and choose among civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

Today we also honour the human rights defenders risking their lives to protect people in the face of rising hatred, racism, intolerance and repression.

Indeed, human rights are under siege around the world.

Universal values are being eroded. The rule of law is being undermined.

Now more than ever, our shared duty is clear:

Let us stand up for human rights — for everyone, everywhere.