BD urges action to make right to dev a reality
Bangladesh has called for collective international action to translate the right to development into tangible outcomes, with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stressing the need for a fairer global financial system, equitable access to technology and stronger accountability.
“The realisation of the right to development requires the commitment, responsibility and collective action of all nations,” she said at a high-level event on the right to development at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
The event was convened by President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman during the high-level week, marking the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development.
The declaration recognises development as an inalienable human right and calls for development that is inclusive, sustainable and participatory.
In her remarks, Shama Obaed highlighted the government’s pro-people development agenda, including the Family Card and Farmer Card initiatives, and stressed the importance of ensuring that development benefits all sections of society.
She also underscored the role of women and young people as partners in development, outlining the vision of a “Rainbow Nation” in which no one is left behind.
The State Minister proposed several priorities for advancing the right to development, including reform of the global financial architecture, predictable and equitable development and climate finance, wider and fairer access to technology and artificial intelligence, and a legally binding framework to turn the right to development into an instrument of accountability.
The event brought together UN member states and other stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to the right to development and explore ways to advance shared prosperity.
Bangladesh underscores women’s leadership for peace and security
On the same day, Shama Obaed represented Bangladesh at the Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Focal Points Network at the UN Headquarters.
Convened by the Philippines, Italy and UN Women on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, the meeting marked the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The discussions focused on strengthening implementation of the resolution and improving accountability for commitments to women’s participation in peace and security.
Recalling Bangladesh’s pioneering role in supporting Resolution 1325 as an elected member of the UN Security Council in 2000, Shama Obaed reaffirmed Dhaka’s commitment to the meaningful participation of women in decision-making.
She called for stronger women-led early warning and mediation mechanisms, greater participation of women in peace processes, the integration of the WPS agenda into climate and humanitarian action, and stronger accountability for violations against women.
The State Minister also highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to develop its second WPS National Action Plan.
She presented the Dhaka Dialogue, a Bangladesh-led initiative focused on digital harassment and artificial intelligence-enabled abuse against women, and invited UN member states to join its forthcoming Group of Friends.
The meeting brought together ministers and senior representatives from different countries to strengthen implementation of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda and promote women’s leadership in peace and security.
