Remarks by Ms. Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh

Honorable Speaker of Bangladesh’s National Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Choudhury, MP

Senior Secretaries and Government Officials.

Excellencies and our partners.

Esteemed Guests.

Good afternoon, ladies, and gentlemen:

A very warm welcome to you all at the Inauguration Ceremony of United Nations Knowledge Fair, to celebrate United Nations Day 2023.

My sincere appreciation to my colleagues in the UN Country Team, colleagues across the agencies and the UN Communications Group who have been instrumental in making this event possible.

On United Nations Day we commemorate the entry into force of the UN Charter, 78 years ago today. An extraordinary accomplishment, resolving that power alone will no longer govern relations between states, but that only a rule based international order can maintain peace, foster solidarity and ensure collective prosperity.

While there are plenty of shortcomings and setbacks, there also has been important progress, including significant reductions in extreme poverty, the eradication of diseases, and the building of strong international public goods and institutions improving the lives of millions.

Importantly, as we celebrate this year the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must remember how much worse humanity would be today without this fundamental covenant.

There can be no peace without development, and no development without peace, and neither can be achieved without respect for human rights.

As our world becomes increasingly multipolar and global challenges like climate change or pandemic prevention become more daunting and increasingly interdependent, we need to reform this system, so it reflects better how power is organized today but also strengthen solidarity, cooperation and trust in this rules-based international order.

The UN team in Bangladesh is committed in supporting those efforts helping roll out new innovative financing instruments for climate or driving adaptation efforts regionally which we hope can gather momentum after the upcoming COP28 in Dubai.

Ladies and gentlemen, this year, we not only mark the 78th anniversary of the Charter, but also the halfway point of our commitment to the 2030 Agenda. Globally, less than 15% of our goals are on track.

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.

Considering Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status, and the consequent shift in development cooperation, the UN will provide support that is fit-for-purpose; tailored to the international context and emergent challenges within the country.

The UN will continue to support structural transformation that promotes an inclusive, resilient economy and social protection system through institutional reforms, capacity building, and policy frameworks. 

In addition, we are working jointly with the government to strengthen risk-informed approaches to development and climate action across all sectors, supporting multi-hazard risk reduction and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The UN in Bangladesh is also supporting institutions across the public and private sector to strengthening their capacity and accountability, to promote gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence in all walks of life. We are also working to address structural barriers that prevent women and girls from exercising their rights.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs are aimed at leaving no one behind and we will continue to work with you to make the aspiration a reality.

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to multilateralism, international cooperation, and the United Nations. I would particularly like to also thank Bangladesh for your contribution to Peacekeeping, for your continued generosity in hosting close to 1 million Rohingya refugees, and for your commitment and support to multilateralism.

Finally, I wish to thank my dear UN colleagues. I have come to deeply appreciate the extraordinary work you continue to accomplish for all Bangladeshis, at times in challenging circumstances. Your values and your resilience not only drive our mission forward but also stands as a beacon of hope for the communities we serve.

I would also like to take a moment to remember the UN colleagues who lost their lives serving this organization this past year. Most recently, we mourn the 53 colleagues since 7 October while providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

May all heed the call from the Secretary-General for an immediate ceasefire, full humanitarian access and a political solution.

Dear colleagues, as we look to the second half of our journey towards the 2030 Agenda — let today be a moment to re-strategize and renew our commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.

Thank you, very much and happy UN day!