Political leaders show unity at UNGA ahead of Feb election: Shafiqul Alam
'The presence of six political leaders at the UNGA conveyed the message that we are united and determined to move forward with the election together,' says Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that by sitting together with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the UN General Assembly Hall, leaders of three major political parties have sent a strong message to the international community that Bangladesh remains united and committed to moving forward with the national election, slated for February, in a united manner.
"The full presence of six political leaders at the UNGA conveyed the message that we are united and determined to move forward with the elections together. This is a significant message, not only for Bangladesh but also for the entire world," he said yesterday afternoon (26 September), noting that the country is fully prepared for a democratic transition.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, party leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen and Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara accompanied the chief adviser as part of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNGA.
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The political leaders highly appreciated the initiative taken by the chief adviser.
"It is a historic day," Shafiqul said while briefing reporters at a hotel in New York.
He said they are in the final stage of reform efforts and have already achieved significant progress in many areas.
The political leaders who joined the chief adviser during his speech at the UNGA also participated in various sessions, marking their united presence at the United Nations General Assembly.
The UNGA is the main policy-making organ of the organisation.
Comprising all member states, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.
Delivering his speech at the 80th UNGA yesterday, Yunus issued a powerful call for justice, reform and renewed international solidarity.
Reflecting on Bangladesh's transformation since the July Uprising of 2024, Yunus highlighted the decisive role of youth in restoring democracy and inspiring reforms now anchored in the July Declaration.
He underscored progress towards institutional accountability, preparations for free elections, and comprehensive economic and governance reforms aimed at transparency, stability and investment.
Yunus emphasised Bangladesh's strong human rights commitments, citing accession to international conventions, cooperation with the UN Human Rights Office and measures to safeguard against past abuses.
The chief adviser paid tribute to Bangladesh's expatriate workforce, noting that migrant workers continue to send home record levels of remittances and underlined that their contributions are equally valuable in host countries and at home.
He drew the attention of the member states to the High-level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar on 30 September and urged the global community to step up support for the Rohingyas.
He also strongly condemned the Israeli genocide, called for urgent international action to stop the violence in Gaza and reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering support for a two-state solution.
The chief adviser reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to women's empowerment, climate action, youth-driven innovation, equitable sharing of new technologies, including AI, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, reform of the international financial system to stop money laundering and wealth siphoning from developing countries, fairer sharing of natural resources among countries, UN peacekeeping, and revitalisation of regional organisations and reform of multilateralism.
Yunus presented his vision of a "three-zero world": zero carbon, zero net wealth concentration to end poverty and zero unemployment.
The chief adviser congratulated the president of the General Assembly and all member states on the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter.
He commended the UN's historic achievements while stressing the urgent need for reforms to strengthen multilateralism and ensure that developing countries' voices are heard.
