Combat coronavirus together, PM to int’l community

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her call to the international community to combat the coronavirus pandemic together, saying that it is also showing ‘silver lining’ in the change of global efforts to deal with the climate change.

While delivering her speech through video message in the 76th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, she also placed three fundamental ocean issues to bolster economic cooperation among member countries of the UN body.

The premier said the world is facing unprecedented challenges of the century due to the COVID-19 pandemic and along with the health issues, this virus has severely affected the world economy.

“However, the pandemic is also showing some silver linings on the change of global efforts to deal with the climate change and growing competition for natural resources … we need to tackle this pandemic together,” she said.

For the first time in the history, the ESCAP Session was held on virtual platform amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The theme of the 76th Commission’s session is “Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development”.

Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to attend the meeting in Bangkok and deliver keynote speech. But as the session is taking place virtually, she delivered her speech through video message.

The premier said: “We must address some fundamental ocean issues through ESCAP with a view to strengthening economic cooperation among its member countries.”

“These are: Firstly, enhanced support for capacity building through sharing of knowledge, expertise and transfer of technology from advanced countries on Blue Economy;

Secondly, need joint research on fisheries development with a view to increasing regional fish production and establishing common platform network in deterring, combating and eliminating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.

Lastly, initiate mapping and management of resource identification and critical coastal habitat and biodiversity protection,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the oceans and seas constitute a last resource frontier of the world contributing to “our sustenance, help alleviate poverty and offer employment opportunities.”


Dhaka/AKA