Take action-oriented initiatives, harness technology

CAIRO (Egypt), Dec 20 (UNB): Highlighting how the 'world of work' is evolving fast, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has urged the D-8 member states to undertake action-oriented initiatives including harnessing technology and re-invent 'learning'.

He also encouraged the youths to emerge as agile entrepreneurs by reshaping and further developing their skills and learning.

Prof Yunus emphasised on the importance of investing in youth and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), resonating with the theme of the summit, and proposed initiatives for promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among youth in D-8 countries.

On the sidelines of the D-8 Summit, the chief adviser had bilateral meetings with the presidents of Egypt, Iran and prime minister of Pakistan.

The minister of higher education of Malaysia also called on the the chief adviser.

During the meetings, the CA expressed satisfaction over the current status of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and those countries and hoped to work more closely in the coming days.

He called for establishing impact-driven connects between the Universities of the D-8 member states during his remarks at the D-8 Summit held in Cairo December 19.

During the summit, the chief adviser handed over the Chairmanship of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt after a successful tenure of little over three years marked by milestone achievements, including the ratification of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement and the decision of Establishment of D-8 Youth Council in Dhaka.

In his opening remarks, while handing the chairmanship, Prof Yunus extended warm congratulations to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for assuming the D-8 chairmanship.

He highlighted Bangladesh's efforts to advance D-8 cooperation amidst global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and multifaceted crises affecting the whole world.

Prof Yunus affirmed Bangladesh's commitment to support Egypt in advancing the cooperative agenda of the D-8.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the Cairo Declaration reflecting the collective aspiration and shared commitment of the D-8 member states to address the pressing issues.

The Summit was also attended by Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, and Malaysia's Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The Chief Adviser also delivered his remarks at a 'Special Session on the Situation in Gaza and Lebanon' organized by the Government of Egypt and the D-8 Secretariat after the official session of the Summit on December 19.

He urged the world leaders to move beyond humanitarian interventions and start focusing towards the reconstruction of Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

Prof Yunus reiterated Bangladesh's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and called for an immediate end to hostilities.

He urged decisive international actions to address the crisis, emphasizing the need for accountability for war crimes and the realization of a two-State solution with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of an independent and viable Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders.

Prof Yunus proposed initiating a D-8-led process to estimate reconstruction costs for Gaza and Lebanon and formulate international strategies for resource mobilization.

After the Special Session the D-8 leaders adopted a Joint Communiqué on the Situation in Palestine and Lebanon.

In addition to the D-8 leaders, the Special Session was attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

BSS adds: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged students to take challenges to fulfill their dream and become successful in life.

He made the call while delivering a lecture at Al-Azhar University in Cairo on Thursday night, according to a message received here today.

Referring to the various challenges he faced during the establishment of Grameen Bank, the chief adviser said the people of Bangladesh are enjoying the benefits from the bank today as he accepted the challenges.

"You have to dream, if you don't have a dream, you won't succeed in life," he the students.

Prof Yunus said it was possible to establish Grameenphone since he had a dream.

Highlighting the importance of social business, the chief adviser said there is no alternative to social business to change society.

About his "Three Zero Theory", the Nobel Laureate said it is urgent to give importance to these three issues - zero carbon emission, zero poverty and zero unemployment - to move the world forward.

Earlier, President of Al-Azhar University Professor Dr Salama Dawoud welcomed Prof Yunus on his arrival on the university campus.

Professor Dr Mahmoud Siddiq, Al-Azhar University Vice-President for Post Graduate Studies and Research, was also present on the occasion.