Bangladesh preparing for 70th UN conference

Sofiqul Islam Lenin: The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are passing a very busy time as the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 70) is knocking at the door.

Meanwhile, the dates and times, when the head of government and representatives of the 196 member states will deliver their speeches, have already been set.

The general debate of the 70th session of the UNGA will take place from 28 September to 3 October 2015. On the first day of the general debate, the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will introduce his report on the work of the organization.

The ministry sources said that the head of government of a total of 159 states will deliver their speeches during September 28 to October 3. United States President Barack Obama will deliver his speech in the first session of the beginning day.

According to the ministry, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to deliver her inspirational and creative speech at the 70th session of the UNGA on September 30.

The head of government of a total of 20 states including US, Russia and Iran will deliver their speeches on September 28 while the head of government of a total of 38 states will deliver their speeches on September 29.

The head of government of a total of 38 states will deliver their speeches on September 30 including Bangladesh while the head of government of a total of 37, 27 and 21 states will deliver their speeches on October 01, 02 and 03 respectively.

It has been known that extensive preparations are underway at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York. The premier Sheikh Hasina will address a press conference there after delivering her speech on September 30.

According to the ministry, side lines of the UN General Assembly this year, Bangladesh will be attended a several bilateral meetings like every year. However, it still has not been finalized that the bilateral meetings will be held with which states.

It has also been known that the prime minister`s speech at the 70th session of UNGA will raise several issues like progress in women`s empowerment and Bangladesh, poverty eradication and Bangladesh`s contribution at the UN peacekeeping mission.

risingbd/DHAKA/Aug 06, 2015/Lenin/Aminul