New York, 28 March 2023:
“Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made
commendable progress in all areas of our socio-economic spheres and has placed itself in a very dignified
position in the multilateral diplomacy”-Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen made this comment while
speaking at the reception hosted by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York to
celebrate the great Independence and National Day-2023 of Bangladesh.
He paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three million
martyrs, two hundred thousand woman and all heroic freedom fighters-who made supreme sacrifice for our
great independence. He also expressed most sincere gratitude to the friendly nations who accelerated our
victory by extending all possible support to us-both at the battlefield and at the diplomatic front.
In his address Foreign Secretary Momen said “Our journey as an independent country has been a
transformative one. Emerging as a war-ravaged, impoverished country in 1971, Bangladesh today has
become model for inclusive and people centered development. Bold polices and forward-looking and
inclusive development strategies adopted by the government of Bangladesh have led us to rapid growth,
structural transformation, and self -reliance”. Our next perspective plan envisions a developed Bangladesh by
2041, for which the Prime Minister has launched a new ‘Smart Bangladesh’ campaign and we seek the
support from international community to materialize our long-term goal, he further added.
Remembering with deep respect the greatest Bengali of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, thirty lac martyrs, two hundred thousand women and all heroic freedom fighters of our liberation
war in 1971, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Ambassador Muhammad
Abdul Muhith, in his welcome speech said that Bangladesh has been playing very active role in various
multilateral forum including at the UN. Referring to Bangabandhu’s famous foreign policy dictum
“Friendship to all and malice towards none”, he further said that we are deeply engaged to advance the
mandate of the UN on many important issues including migration, climate change, women empowerment
and international peace and security. He concluded his remarks by reiterating Bangladesh’s commitment to
multilateralism and make value-driven contribution to all important UN discourses.
The event was attended by more than 100 Permanent Representatives, high officials of the UN
Secretariat, international media personalities, think tank and other dignitaries. The event started with
hoisting of national flag and playing the national anthem.
The guests were served iftar-dinner with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.