Settle disputes through dialogue, say ’no’ to wars: PM Hasina at UNESCAP meet

Staff Correspondent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (25 April) called for speaking out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say `no` to wars. "We must speak out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say `no` to wars," she said adding that Bangladesh supports the UN Secretary General`s `New Agenda for Peace. The prime minister was addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held at the ESCAP Hall (2nd floor), United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) here. She arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to Thailand. The PM said the pre-condition for sustainable development is lasting peace and security. "We must settle regional disputes and tension through dialogue. Our mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain paramount," she said. Hasina called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to redouble their efforts to end Rohingya crisis as all efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle without it. "The origin of their crisis has been in Myanmar, and its solution also lies in Myanmar," she declared. "As long as that solution remains out of reach, all our efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle. Let us redouble our efforts to put that puzzle back in place," she said. She said that in August 2017, when thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh, Bangladesh offered them temporary shelter. "With an ever growing population, this has now become one of the largest humanitarian situations in the world," she said. Sheikh Hasina said that In the backdrop of ongoing armed conflicts in Myanmar, the Rohingya repatriation process is also getting delayed. "This is creating serious security risks within and beyond our territories," she said. She called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to play a proactive role in resolving the volatile situation in Myanmar. "We must ensure that the Rohingya can go back home in safety and dignity at the earliest possible," she said. The prime minister said that the Asia-Pacific region must stand united against its common enemies of poverty and hunger. She said Bangladesh has reduced poverty from 41.51 percent to 18.7 percent between 2006 and 2022. It also reduced extreme poverty from 25.1 to 5.6 percent during the same period. "We remain confident about eradicating extreme poverty by 2030," she said. She mentioned that Bangladesh has made notable progress on food security, with focused interventions on maternal and child nutrition. "Our current priority is to address inequalities through income distribution, asset ownership, and social protection," she said. The prime minister said that Asia-Pacific region must put up a united front in tackling the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and transboundary pollution. "We need to push for ambitious climate financing goals beyond 2025 at COP-29. We need to cooperate on cross-border water management and air quality improvement. We must all prepare for growing extreme weather events," she said. In this connection, she suggested looking into Bangladesh`s experience in disaster risk reduction. "We appreciate UN-ESCAP`s support in improving our early warning capabilities," she added. Briefly describing various development programmes and achievements of her govebrment, the prime minister said that much of the development gains are affected by climate impacts. "As a low-lying delta, Bangladesh has no option but to invest heavily in climate resilience," she said. She mentioned that Bangladesh is already recognised as a global leader in climate adaptation. "We are happy to share our traditional and innovative solutions with other vulnerable countries," she said. She said that Bangladesh has urged developed and emerging economies in the region to raise their time-bound emission reduction targets. "For economies in transition, it is important to have a just energy transition." In Bangladesh, she said, "we are working on long-term energy security with a sound mix of clean and renewable energy." "We shall continue to do our part in pursuing a circular and low-carbon economic growth pathway." She underscored the need for increased and easy access to financing and technology from both the public and private sectors. "I invite UN-ESCAP to help build the capacity of climate-vulnerable countries to mobilise adequate international climate financing." PM Hasina said that Bangladesh now provides critical links to the Trans-Asian Highway and Railway networks. "Our physical and digital infrastructures are being developed to foster regional trade and connectivity." She said Bangladesh offers access to the Bay of Bengal for land-locked territories in its neighbourhood. "We stand ready to work together with all regional partners through mutual understanding and cooperation," said the prime minister.

Vaccines saved at least 154 million lives in 50 years: WHO

Staff Correspondent Global immunisation efforts have saved at least 154 million lives in the past 50 years, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, adding that most of those to benefit were infants. That is the equivalent of six lives saved every minute of every year of the half century, the UN health agency said. In a study published in the Lancet, WHO gave a comprehensive analysis of the impact of 14 vaccines used under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), which celebrates its 50th anniversary next month. The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard`s Google news channel Thanks to these vaccines, "a child born today is 40% more likely to see their fifth birthday than a child born 50 years ago", WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. "Vaccines are among the most powerful inventions in history, making once-feared diseases preventable," he said. "Smallpox has been eradicated, polio is on the brink, and with the more recent development of vaccines against diseases like malaria and cervical cancer, we are pushing back the frontiers of disease." Infants accounted for 101 million of the lives saved through immunisation over the five decades, said the study. "Immunisation was the single greatest contribution of any health intervention to ensuring babies not only see their first birthdays but continue leading healthy lives into adulthood," WHO said. - `Vaccines cause adults` - Over 50 years, vaccines against 14 diseases -- diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, measles, meningitis A, pertussis, invasive pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, and yellow fever -- had directly contributed to reducing infant deaths by 40%, the study found. For Africa, the reduction in infant mortality was more than 50%, it said. The vaccine against measles -- a highly contagious disease by a virus that attacks mainly children -- had the most significant impact. That jab accounted for 60% of the lives saved due to immunisation, according to the study. The polio vaccine means that more than 20 million people are able to walk today who would otherwise have been paralysed. The study also showed that when a vaccine saves a child`s life, that person goes on to live an average of 66 years of full health on average -- with a total of 10.2 billion full health years gained over the five decades. "Vaccines cause adults," Tedros said. WHO stressed that the gains in childhood survival showed the importance of protecting progress on immunisation. It highlighted accelerating efforts to reach 67 million children who missed at least one vaccination during the Covid pandemic. The UN health agency, along with the UN children`s agency Unicef, the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, on Wednesday launched a joint campaign called "Humanly Possible". It is aimed at scaling up vaccination programmes around the world. "By working together we can save millions more lives, advance equity and create a much healthier and more prosperous world," Violaine Michell of the Gates Foundation told journalists. - Anti-vax threat - But efforts to ensure broader vaccine coverage have increasingly run into anti-vax movements and conspiracy theories circulating on social media. This was particularly clear during the Covid pandemic, but it has also taken its tolls on efforts to avert measles outbreaks. "There has been a very significant backsliding in the use of the measles vaccine and the coverage that has been achieved in countries around the world, and that is resulting in outbreaks," WHO vaccine chief Kate O`Brien told journalists. In 2022, the last year for which there are clear statistics, more than nine million measles cases were registered around the world, including 136,000 children who died. Lack of access to the vaccines was a major concern, said O`Brien, but part of the backsliding was attributable to "misinformation and anti-vax movements". "The measles vaccine is a safe vaccine, and it`s highly effective," she insisted, stressing the need to ramp up efforts against "one of the most infectious viruses that infect humans."

288 Myanmar security personnel sent back from Bangladesh

Staff Correspondent In a coordinated early morning operation on Thursday, Bangladesh repatriated 288 members of Myanmar`s security forces who had sought refuge across the border. This group included members from the Border Guard Police (BGP), army and immigration units. According to Shariful Islam, public relations officer at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the operation commenced at 6am at a site managed by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The repatriation involved a carefully staged handover of the individuals to the Myanmar BGP. The decision followed detailed discussions between representatives of the BGB and BGP, culminating in the formal handover at the BIWTA ghat. Before the handover, Myanmar officials confirmed the identities and checked the documentation of all returnees. This incident marks the second recent repatriation of Myanmar personnel to their homeland, following the February 16 return of 330 officials, including BGP members, army personnel and customs officials, under stringent security measures.

9 killed as truck plunges into ditch in Rangamati

Staff Correspondent At least nine people were killed and five others critically injured as a truck plunged into a ditch in the 90 degree area of Sajek Udaipur border road in Baghaichhari of Rangamati on Wednesday. The tragic road crash took place around 5pm. The identities of the deceased workers could not be known yet. The injured were rescued and sent to Dighinala Health Complex in Khagrachari with the help of Army and BGB. The vehicle was carrying 17 workers. Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shirin Akter confirmed the accident and said that six workers died on the spot after falling into a mountain ditch on their way back after work. The accident left eight workers injured. Among them, three succumbed to their injuries at hospitals. Baghaichhari Circle Officer, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdul Awal Chowdhury said that on the way back in a truck after work on the border road, the vehicle lost control and plunged into a 100-foot-deep ditch. After getting the news from the locals, the police were sent to the spot, he added. The victims were engaged in road construction work along the Udaipur border, said the UNO.

Ambulances, gifted by India, lie idle

Staff Correspondent Life support ambulances gifted by India have remained unused due to lack of manpower, shortage of spare parts and fuel oil. As a result, patients in Khulna are now completely reliant on privately-run ambulances and are paying excessive charges for the service. Doctors say 70% of patients are dying on the way to hospital or at their homes due to a scarcity of modern and life support ambulances. Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) received one such ambulance in 2021 which has remained unused till date. While visiting the hospital recently, the ambulance was seen parked at the hospital’s garage. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) received six vehicles during the Covid-19 pandemic, and gave those to hospitals in Khulna Division. Authorities say that the ambulances in Khulna, Satkhira and Jessore need urgent repair. Suhas Ranjan Halder, a resident medical officer at KMCH, said although the vehicle is called life support ambulance, it does not have the necessary equipment. As a result, it is not possible to provide the desired emergency services to the patients. Dr Md Manjurul Murshid, director of the DGHS of Khulna Division, said that the situation has become grim due to lack of policy needed for the repair and maintenance of these ambulances. As a result, decision making has become difficult as well. Seventy percent of the patients die before reaching the hospital due to lack of proper care and transport crisis. Therefore, it is important to develop health policies to ensure ambulance and health care for patients, he added. Sheikh Baharul Alam, president of Bangladesh Medical Association in Khulna, urged the authorities to formulate necessary policies in this regard.

Thailand rolls out red carpet as Bangladesh PM arrives

A red carpet was rolled out to accord warm reception to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she arrived in Bangkok this afternoon on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin. On her arrival at Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok at 01:08 pm (local time), the premier was received by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. She was given a guard of honour and a 19-round gun-salute at the airport. Thailand Minister-in-Attendance Puangpet Chunlaiad, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor and Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye were present at the airport. Earlier, the Bangladesh premier left Dhaka by a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 10:13 am (BD time) to pay the six-day tour, which is both a bilateral and multilateral visit. During her visit on April 24-29, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin and also attend the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Bangladesh and Thailand will sign a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries. Bangladesh and Thailand are likely to sign an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation while two more MoUs on tourism sector cooperation and duty related mutual cooperation to expand the relations, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told a media briefing on Monday. On April 26, Bangladesh Prime Minister will be formally received by her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin while a ceremonial guard of honor will be accorded to her. On the same day, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin at the Government House (Prime Minister`s Office) following a tete-a-tete between the two leaders, witness the signing of the documents, participate in a joint press conference and then attend a state lunch to be hosted by her Thai counterpart in her honour there. During the visit, the prime minister will have a Royal audience of Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Palace. In her multilateral engagement, Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to attend the 80th Session of ESCAP and deliver a speech on April 25. On the same day, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjabana will call on the prime minister. The premier is expected to return home on April 29.

Dhakaites feel severe stress when outdoors 29 days a year

Staff Correspondent Bangladesh has experienced an increase in average temperature by 0.13°C and humidity by 0.3% per decade during 1961–2020, resulting in a rapid increase in human discomfort. A just released study that assessed the changes in human discomfort in Bangladesh due to temperature and humidity found a three-fold increase in the number of days Dhaka residents feel severe discomfort compared to six decades ago. During the 1961-1970 period, people living in Dhaka used to experience severe stress outdoors for nine days a year. However, that number of discomfort days tripled to over 29 days a year between 2011 and 2020. The current issue of the international journal Urban Climate, published by Elsevier, the world’s leading scientific publisher, carried the study results titled – “Changes in human heat discomfort and its drivers in Bangladesh”. A group of climatologists and experts who undertook the research taking last 60 years’ climate data from Bangladesh, expressed a sense of urgency, stating: “Bangladesh needs to implement the necessary adaptation measures to reduce human heat discomfort. People may be warned about the risks of heat stress and advised on how to avoid it via public awareness programmes.” Daily climate data from 17 stations distributed across Bangladesh were analyzed in this study to assess the changes in levels of human comfort in the last 60 years (1961–2020). Talking to Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday, one of the authors of the study paper, Dr Mohammad Kamruzzaman, said: “We can well presume that the number of days when people feel serious discomfort must have further increased over the past three-four years.” He said Bangladesh needs to implement a heat health warning system to help prepare its citizens for the potentially harmful effects of prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Additionally, measures must be taken to increase the number of parks and forests, the number of trees, and the use of reflecting materials on buildings to reduce heat stress, Dr Kamruzzaman and his co-authors emphasized. The researchers used several indices i.e. Heat Discomfort Index (DI), Humidex (HD) etc to see how people in Bangladesh have increasingly been experiencing a higher number of days of discomfort year-round and during pre-monsoon (March, April and May) in particular, over the past six decades. DI is calculated by using air temperature and relative humidity data while HD, an index number, is used to describe how hot the weather feels to the average person, by combining the effect of heat and humidity. Rapid surge in heat-induced human discomfort A reading between 21 and 24 in DI (heat discomfort index) indicates – “50% of the population feels discomfort”, while a reading of 27-29 means – most of the people feel discomfort and 29-32 means – everyone is in discomfort. DI reading above 32 warrants a “state of medical emergency.” On the other hand, an HD (humidex) reading of 30-39 means, “Some Discomfort” while a reading of 40-44 signifies “Great Discomfort”, 45-54 means situation is “Dangerous” and above 55 is “Very Dangerous.” The study results showed there has been an increase in severe and dangerous DI days and a decrease in comfort days over the past 60 years. This indicates an increase in days when all or most people feel severe stress with a decrease in comfort days. The increase in stress days and decrease in comfort days were prominent in some major cities of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The researchers said Dhaka is the home of nearly 14% of the country’s total population and is ranked as the sixth most populated city globally and their study finds that the increases in severe or dangerous thermal stress days were nearly three times in the densely populated city of Dhaka and 12 times in Sylhet over the decades. A large increase in severe DI days was noticed in other major cities. It increased nearly two-fold in Chittagong and three-fold in Rajshahi. The highest increase in severe and dangerous DI days was in Sylhet city, located northeast of the country. Severe DI days increased from less than two days a year during the 1961-1970 period to over 24 days a year during the 2011–2020 period. Dhaka experienced an increase in dangerous humid days from 6.9 days a year (1961–1970) to 20.9 days a year (2011–2020). Similarly, a two-fold increase in dangerous humid days in Chittagong and a 3.5-times increase in Rajshahi was noticed. The highest increase was noticed in Sylhet. Dangerous humid days increased from 1.4 days/year to 19.8 days/year or nearly 14 times. Asked what propelled such a high increase in Sylhet, Dr Kamruzzaman said it demands further intense study, but noted that its geographical location in a high humid zone and tremor belts might have some correlation.

Bangladesh has no significant changes in human rights

Diplomatic Correspondent There had been no significant changes in the human rights situation in Bangladesh during the year 2023, the United States has said in a new report. The country reports in the 2023 Human Rights Report (HRR) do not draw legal conclusions, rank countries, or draw comparisons, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday. There were reports of widespread impunity for human rights abuses, said the report in its Bangladesh chapter. In most cases, it claimed, the government did not take credible steps to identify and punish officials or security force members who may have committed human rights abuses.

Live Now

E-Paper

Bangladesh

Settle disputes through dialogue, say ’no’ to wars: PM Hasina at UNESCAP meet

9 killed as truck plunges into ditch in Rangamati

Ambulances, gifted by India, lie idle

288 Myanmar security personnel sent back from Bangladesh

Worldwide

Vaccines saved at least 154 million lives in 50 years: WHO

Bangladesh, Qatar sign 5 agreements, 5 MoUs

Bangladesh has no significant changes in human rights

From El nino ’frying pan’ to climate change ’fire’

Business

Modi seeks historic third term

Bangladesh receives $2.16b in remittances

PM Hasina opens Agargaon to Motijheel section of metro rail

A bunch of amazing plans around the ceremonial AGM of ICC

Nationwide

Inauguration of 15-day Sultan Mela in Narail

QC’s Eid food packages benefit 35,000 Rohingya Refugees

Noakhali Sadar Agricultural Department distributed Aus paddy seeds fertilizer among 6500 farmers

Smart software system inaugurates in Narayanganj LGED office

Opinion

Women’s Participation in Socio-Economic Activities and Gender Equality

The trends of reading books of the generation

Climate variability and the sweltering air blanketing in Bangladesh

Latest News
Most Popular

All News

Politics

Celebration of 104t Birth Anniversary of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day celebrated in Kathm

The 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children`s Day was celebrated today at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu with due solemnity and festivity. In the morning, the national flag was hoisted in the Embassy premises; wreaths were placed at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and messages given by the dignitaries were read out.

Govt trying to thwart BNP’s Wednesday rally: Rizvi

US, Australia issue travel advisory for citizens in Bangladesh ahead of general election

Govt trying to unleash violence to blame BNP: Fakhrul

16 leaders, activists arrested in Khulna ahead of Saturday’s sit-in program: BNP

South Asia

India Hosts 6th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi

The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) convened in New Delhi today, presided over by Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, who serves as the President of the ISA Assembly. Ministers from 20 countries and delegates representing 116 Member and Signatory countries gathered for this important event, according to a press release. In his opening remarks, Raj Kumar Singh emphasized the crucial role of renewable energy sources in addressing global energy challenges. He stated that renewable energy has the potential to supply 65 percent of the world`s total electricity by 2030 and decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050. The International Solar Alliance is committed to making solar energy the preferred energy source, attracting investments, and ensuring ample energy availability to meet growing global demands. To support this, ISA has expanded its Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, increasing the grant to 35% of the project cost based on the capacity and needs of member countries. Co-President of the Assembly, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, France`s Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, emphasized France`s commitment to the ISA. France has provided significant financial support for solar projects, including the construction of the Onigbolo solar power plant in Benin, bringing 25 megawatts of clean energy to the people of Benin. She emphasized the importance of supporting partner countries in their energy transition plans, said the release. Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, stressed the need to accelerate the deployment of solar energy, particularly in developing countries and for applications that enhance the daily lives of those without reliable energy access. ISA is facilitating over 9.5 GW of solar applications in 55 developing countries and providing training to thousands of people in supporting solar energy. The organization is working on establishing STAR Centers as hubs of technology, knowledge, and expertise in solar energy, it said. The Assembly also discussed the ISA`s initiatives, including the development of solar mini-grids to provide universal energy access and mechanisms to attract private sector investment through guarantees provided by the Global Solar Facility. In May 2020, ISA initiated Demonstration Projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to showcase scalable solar technology applications and build the capacity of beneficiary member countries. Four projects, including solarization of the parliament building of the Republic of Malawi, solarization of health care centers in Fiji, installation of solar-powered cold storage in Seychelles, and solarization of a school in Kiribati, were inaugurated, it added. Singh dedicated these projects to the respective countries, highlighting ISA`s commitment to advancing the cause of energy transition through solar energy. The Assembly serves as the apex decision-making body of ISA and meets annually to assess the progress of solar energy deployment and discuss key initiatives related to energy access, energy security, and energy transition. The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance demonstrated the commitment of member countries to harnessing solar energy to address global energy and environmental challenges, the release also said.