Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a video message at the 76th Commission Session of UNESCAP on Thursday, stressed the regional cooperation for capacity building of developing countries for sustainable use of marine resources in Asia and the Pacific.
Hasina was scheduled to attend the event of UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) in Bangkok and deliver keynote speech; however, as it took place virtually, the Prime Minister delivered her message in video.
UNESCAP held its session on virtual platform, for the first time in the history, amid the COVID-19 pandemic stressing regional cooperation.
The theme of the 76th Commission’s session is "Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development”.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to the ESCAP Md Nazmul Quaunine was elected chair of the 76th Commission of UNESCAP.
Thailand was elected as the vice-chair on Thursday, UNB reports citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand and PR to UNESCAP Nazmul Quaunine upon his election as the Chair thanked 53 member countries of the ESCAP for reposing their confidence in Bangladesh in electing him the chair.
He underscored the commitment of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina to the regional and multilateral engagements and cooperation and Bangladesh’s very active participation in and contribution to the works of the UNESCAP.
Besides the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha, Fiji Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano also sent their video messages in the opening Session.
In the session, the Asia Pacific nations also agreed to cooperate in addressing the socio-economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemics and adopted a resolution.
The video message of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the chairing of the Commission’ Session by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand and the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UNESCAP have greatly elevated the profile and visibility of Bangladesh in the 53-member annual conference of the largest UN body of the Asia-Pacific Region.
A seven-member Bangladesh delegation, led by Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md. Khurshed Alam, participated in and contributed to the session through projecting Bangladesh’s positions in different agenda items and Commission’s outcome.