Integrated planning and implementation efforts are required to deal with climate change challenges – Speaker, Bangladesh National Parliament
By Zeba Tarannum
Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP and Speaker of Bangladesh National Parliament, said, in the current era of globalization, the world’s people are facing one emerging challenge after another.
The Commonwealth needs to work with member states to adopt ideas and strategies evolving in the present time to address the challenges of climate change and disaster management, safe water management, food security, gender equality, etc., in the post-COVID-19 situation. Countries responsible for climate change must be accountable to disaster-prone countries and requires the joint efforts of all.
The Speaker made the remarks while virtually participating as the Chief panellist in a webinar titled ‘Rediscovering Commonwealth for Delivering a Common Future’ organized by the British High Commission in Dhaka, Youth Policy, and Daily Star.
The Speaker said Bangladesh became a member of the Commonwealth in 1972, after its independence in 1971 by a bloodshed liberation war. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation, Bangladesh, held great importance in determining the policy of cooperation for eliminating economic inequality among the countries at the Commonwealth Summit held in May 1975 in Jamaica.
Also, with that in mind, the Commonwealth is working together to address inequality through innovative solutions. The member countries’ collective strength must use in this case and have to find the real benefits of it.
Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said, Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina emphasized inclusive development and building a green and secure world of the future. Under her leadership, the nation has progressed among the developing countries. During the COVID period, she handled the situation with utmost skill and foresight, which is exemplary.
The Speaker said, “The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) works to establish democracy, peace, good governance, and human rights among the Commonwealth countries and solve the overall problems.”
Bangladesh National Parliament was elected as the Chairman of the CPA Executive Committee for three years in 2014, a significant and unique experience. Bangladesh’s relationship with the Commonwealth is strong, and the Commonwealth is arranging scholarships for students in Bangladesh.
British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dixon, Professor Salimul Haque, Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, and former Ambassador Farooq Sobhan spoke on the webinar as panelists. Prominent individuals virtually attended through the webinars.
