PM attends high-level meeting on UN reforms

Desk Report: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today joined a high-level meeting on UN reforms hosted by US President Donald Trump who called on the UN to improve the way it does business.

The heads of state and government of 193 countries who arrived in New York to attend the 72nd UNGA session took part in the meeting held at the UN Headquarters (UNHQ).

In recent years, the United Nations has not reached its full potential because of "bureaucracy and mismanagement", Trump said, urging the UN to invest "more in people and less in bureaucracy."

The high-level meeting titled "Reforming the United Nations: Management, Security, and Development" was held as a way to give momentum to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's efforts to adopt a declaration to bring greater efficiency, accountability and transparency to the UN.

As of this morning 128 nations have signed the declaration, according to the UN.

"We support the UN secretary general's efforts to look across the entire system, and to find ways the United Nations can better, and be better at development, management, peace, and security," the US president said.

"We seek a United Nations that regains the trust of the people around the world ... cut through the bureaucracy, reform outdated systems, and make firm decisions to advance the UN's core mission," he added.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmud Ali was present on the occasion.

Later today, Sheikh Hasina will attend a high-level meeting on the "Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse" and hold bilateral meeting with her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

In the evening, the Bangladesh premier will have a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and join a high-level follow up meeting on "Global Deal for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth".

Source: BSS



risingbd/Dhaka/Sep 18, 2017/Saif/Nasim