Honoring UN Day 2023 in Bangladesh

This day is observed each year in October to commemorate the entry into force of the United Nations Charter and offers the opportunity to strengthen our common agenda and reaffirm the principles of the UN. There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. No other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want.

UN Day, observed every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 78 years.

UN Day was observed in Dhaka with an UN Knowledge Fair on 30 October 2023.

Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, Hon’ble Speaker of Parliament in Bangladesh, was the Guest of Honor. The event was attended by diplomats of various foreign missions, NGO partners private sector partners, youth activists, government officials from various line ministries, media and UN staff members.

The UN Knowledge fair aimed to put a spotlight on the important partnership between the people and government of Bangladesh and the UN and showcase the UN’s work across the country.

Highlighting the importance of UN and its partnership with Bangladesh, H.E. Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, stated: - "Strong partnerships and social cooperation will lead to success of Bangladesh." She also thanked UN for organizing a knowledge fair on UN Day 2023.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, said in her welcome note, “Long before the SDGs, Bangladesh understood the value of human development and achieved enviable economic growth and significant gains in education, health and gender equality. However multiple crises have resulted in regressions of several SDGs and our joint efforts need to continue.”

The ceremony was accompanied with technical panel discussions on how climate change crisis affects women’s leadership; food security, vulnerabilities management energy efficiency and sustainability; and on need for partnership for human development in Bangladesh.

Distinguished technical experts from various fields and the UN attended as panelists for lively, insightful discussions, and suggestions for better initiatives for achievement of the global goals.

A knowledge fair also took place simultaneously, with 16 stalls showcasing knowledge products of various agencies of United Nations working in Bangladesh. The stalls, at the knowledge fair, displayed several publications and audio-visual content, documenting the programmatic work of the agencies and their achievements. The participant agencies were FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UN Women, UNAIDS, UNCDF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, UNV, WFP, and WHO.

UN Day 2023 is another instance where the United Nations has shown their commitment to the Bangladeshi people to achieve a more resilient, sustainable and hopeful world.