Work together to fight poverty, militancy: PM to IPU leaders

Staff Correspondent: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday called upon IPU leaders to work together against all social disparities like poverty and malnutrition along with the vices of militancy and terrorism to make the world an abode of mutual compassion and fraternity.

The premier made the call while addressing an inaugural function of the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly at the south plaza of the parliament complex in Dhaka.

She said, "The world, no doubt, is moving forward, and visible progress has also been made in hunger situation. But, nearly 800 million people still suffer from malnutrition," she said calling for fighting together against terrorism and militancy as the vices posed threat to push back the world to the dark age.

As the Prime Minister of a nation, awfully affected by climate change, Sheikh Hasina urged the top polluters to meet without delay their commitments made in different forums for carbon offsetting.

Sheikh Hasina said a large number of children of the developing nations suffer from stunted growth owing to lack of nutrition. They are deprived of healthcare and schooling. But the earth is filled with enough resources for survival of mankind. A little sympathy, support, mutual compassion and fraternity can make the globe hunger-free easily," she said.

Terming terrorism and militancy as the new vices for humanity, she said the menaces are costing human lives, and peace is seriously impeded. "We have to fight this menaces together; otherwise, we would be pushed back to the Dark Age," she said.

Bangladesh for the first time after joining the IPU in 1972, is hosting the IPU Assembly being attended by about 1400 delegates including 53 speakers, deputy speakers and 209 women parliamentarians from 120 countries.

IPU, a forum of world's legislators, is a focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue for peace, development, and co-operation among peoples, and for the safeguard of representative democracy.

Welcoming the delegates of the conference to Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said she was deeply honoured for the opportunity to inaugurate the IPU conference. "Hosting of the conference is a matter of great honour for us," she said adding that Bangladesh values its association with IPU and is proud of its democratic heritage.

"It is indeed a matter of pride for us. This is also a testimony by the honourable Members of Parliament across the world towards our commitment to democratic practices and values," she noted.


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 1, 2017/Hasan/Nasim