Dhaka tables resolution at UN on natural fibre use

Bangladesh has tabled a draft resolution titled 'Use of Natural Fibres such as Jute and Sisal' at the United Nations for its consideration during the 74th General Assembly, reports UNB.

On behalf of Bangladesh, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Masud Bin Momen tabled the resolution at the plenary of the second committee under Agenda item 24, 'Agriculture development, food security and nutrition' on Friday.

The negotiation process of this resolution will start very soon at the UN headquarters, said the Bangladesh mission in New York on Saturday.

Ambassador Masud encouraged the member states to promote the use of environment-friendly natural fibres such as jute, cotton, and sisal. He said enough has not been done to make people aware about the benefits of the use of natural fibres as substitutes of artificial fibres.

He underscored the need for adopting a resolution in the General Assembly in this regard. "A resolution of the General Assembly is required to signal our commitment to protect our environment through the use of natural fibres, Ambassador Masud argued.

He opined that this resolution could be an effective tool to raise global awareness of the importance of natural fibres not only to producers and industry, but also to consumers for a better choice in saving the environment.

He hoped that member states will find this resolution helpful for promoting a cause critically important to protect environment and accelerate sustainable development.

Alluding to the remarkable successes achieved under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said that her government's bold and pragmatic policies transformed the agriculture sector, promoted rural development, empowered the marginalised people and protected small holder farmers and small-scale producers within local food systems.

He also mentioned that Bangladesh is the third largest producer of vegetables, fourth largest producer of rice and fifth largest producer of inland fisheries.

He informed the plenary meeting that from a net food-importer, Bangladesh has become a net food-exporter. "We have been making efforts to produce and popularise the environment-friendly agricultural products," he added.

He invited all member states to extend support to the new resolution of Bangladesh and hoped that it would enjoy wide consensus among the UN membership.