CA iterates stand on support to development of Africa
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
NEW YORK, Sept 23 (UNB): Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed reiterated Monday Bangladesh's firm commitment to further strengthening its support and cooperation for the development of Africa.
The head of the caretaker government made the remarks while intervening the second high-level roundtable on 'Africa's Development Needs: State of Implementation of Various Commitments, Challenges and the Way Forward'.
The roundtable was held at the ECOSOC Conference Hall at the UN Headquarters. A high-level plenary meeting was also held on the same theme in the morning.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Finland President Jarja Halonen co-chaired the roundtable attended by heads of government and state of various countries.
Mozambique President, Madagascar President, US Secretary of State and executive secretary of ECA, among others, spoke at the roundtable until 12 noon (local time).
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said: "Within the framework of South-South cooperation, countries like Bangladesh can meaningfully contribute to Africa's sustainable development.
"Over the years, Bangladesh has successfully pioneered a number of innovative ideas to development like micro credit, non-formal education and women empowerment."
He said Bangladesh was willing to share her 'Green Revolution' experiences with the fellow LDCs especially those in Africa. "We must remain comrades in our quest for peace, development and prosperity," he added.
He said the micro credit had now been replicated in around 100 countries, including many in Africa.
As a member of the organisational committee of the Peace-building Commission, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh was actively engaged in supporting the ongoing development efforts in Burundi and Sierra Leone.
He said the development partners and the international community should also take steps to help Africa integrate into the global economy through foreign direct investment.
"We are deeply concerned that since 2005 the ODA-GNI ratio for developed countries has declined from 0.33 per cent to 0.28 per cent. It falls far short of the G-8 Gleneagles pledge in 2005 to double aid to Africa," he told the roundtable.
Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh had been an active and ardent proponent of peace and development for Africa. There had hardly been a UN peacekeeping mission in Africa in the last two and half decades in which Bangladesh did not participate.
Currently around 10,000 Bangladeshis were working in 12 UN peacekeeping missions, he said.
Bangladesh sent its peacekeepers even to the highest risk areas. "We do so in line with our deep commitment to the UN charter and in the spirit of solidarity with our African brethren," the Chief Adviser said.
Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and UN Permanent Representative to UN Ismat Jahan also attended the roundtable.
Another report adds: Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed attended Monday evening a reception hosted by US President George W Bush.
George and Mrs Lara Bush hosted the reception at Waldorf Astoria Hotel at 7:00pm local time (Tuesday 5:00am BDT) in honour of heads of government and state and their spouses, now here for attending the UN General Assembly.
The Chief Adviser exchanged greetings and pleasantries with host President Bush at the reception.
CA's wife, Neena Ahmed, also attended the reception.
The head of the caretaker government made the remarks while intervening the second high-level roundtable on 'Africa's Development Needs: State of Implementation of Various Commitments, Challenges and the Way Forward'.
The roundtable was held at the ECOSOC Conference Hall at the UN Headquarters. A high-level plenary meeting was also held on the same theme in the morning.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Finland President Jarja Halonen co-chaired the roundtable attended by heads of government and state of various countries.
Mozambique President, Madagascar President, US Secretary of State and executive secretary of ECA, among others, spoke at the roundtable until 12 noon (local time).
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said: "Within the framework of South-South cooperation, countries like Bangladesh can meaningfully contribute to Africa's sustainable development.
"Over the years, Bangladesh has successfully pioneered a number of innovative ideas to development like micro credit, non-formal education and women empowerment."
He said Bangladesh was willing to share her 'Green Revolution' experiences with the fellow LDCs especially those in Africa. "We must remain comrades in our quest for peace, development and prosperity," he added.
He said the micro credit had now been replicated in around 100 countries, including many in Africa.
As a member of the organisational committee of the Peace-building Commission, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh was actively engaged in supporting the ongoing development efforts in Burundi and Sierra Leone.
He said the development partners and the international community should also take steps to help Africa integrate into the global economy through foreign direct investment.
"We are deeply concerned that since 2005 the ODA-GNI ratio for developed countries has declined from 0.33 per cent to 0.28 per cent. It falls far short of the G-8 Gleneagles pledge in 2005 to double aid to Africa," he told the roundtable.
Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh had been an active and ardent proponent of peace and development for Africa. There had hardly been a UN peacekeeping mission in Africa in the last two and half decades in which Bangladesh did not participate.
Currently around 10,000 Bangladeshis were working in 12 UN peacekeeping missions, he said.
Bangladesh sent its peacekeepers even to the highest risk areas. "We do so in line with our deep commitment to the UN charter and in the spirit of solidarity with our African brethren," the Chief Adviser said.
Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and UN Permanent Representative to UN Ismat Jahan also attended the roundtable.
Another report adds: Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed attended Monday evening a reception hosted by US President George W Bush.
George and Mrs Lara Bush hosted the reception at Waldorf Astoria Hotel at 7:00pm local time (Tuesday 5:00am BDT) in honour of heads of government and state and their spouses, now here for attending the UN General Assembly.
The Chief Adviser exchanged greetings and pleasantries with host President Bush at the reception.
CA's wife, Neena Ahmed, also attended the reception.