With a well-educated workforce and a dynamic youth population, modern Bangladesh has overcome remarkable odds to become an economic powerhouse in South Asia” – Ambassador Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly made this comment while delivering remarks as chief guest at the reception hosted by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York to celebrate the great Independence and National Day-2024 of Bangladesh. The President of the General Assembly mentioned that Bangladesh’s story is one of extraordinary strength, perseverance, and determination in the most trying of times. He also stated that in addressing the United Nations, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman eloquently ushered in fresh ideas for building a world free from economic inequalities, social injustice, and the threats of nuclear war.
In the reception, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith delivered welcome remarks and mentioned that even after the war of liberation that has caused unprecedented destruction in human and other capitals, Bangladesh was able to demonstrate remarkable resilience and achieve tremendous success, in its development trajectory. Especially over the last decade, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has emerged as a role model for development.
Ambassador Muhith paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three million martyrs, two hundred thousand women victims of sexual violence, and all heroic freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifice for Bangladesh’s great independence. He also expressed most sincere gratitude to the friendly nations who accelerated Bangladesh’s victory by extending all possible support to us both at the battlefield and on the diplomatic front.
Both the President of the General Assembly and the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh referred to the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership to the United Nations. Ambassador Muhith further mentioned that guided by the famous dictum of our Father of the Nation: ‘Friendship to all, malice towards none’, Bangladesh joined the UN family 50 years ago and made multilateralism an absolute priority. He also reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to make value-driven contributions to all important UN discourses.
The event was attended by around 150 Permanent Representatives, high officials of the UN Secretariat, international media personalities, think tanks, and other dignitaries. The event started with the hoisting of the national flag and the playing the national anthem. The guests were served iftar dinner with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.