Statement by
H.E. Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations and Vice President of the UNICEF Executive Board presented during the Second Regular Session 2019 of the Executive Board of UNICEF
New York, 11 September 2019
Thank you, Mr. President,
- Appreciate your opening statement, innovative steps undertaken for UNICEF and incorporating young delegates in the Executive Board delegation. I like to thank Alexandria and Felipe for sharing their thoughts, experiences and aspirations which will be useful for UNICEF and the children of the world.
- In her statement, the Executive Director provided us a comprehensive overview of both program and management issues. We can see clearly UNICEF under the pragmatic leadership of Ms. Fore is striving to address the challenges faced by the children in both development and humanitarian situations using innovative and technology driven integrated approaches. We register our appreciation for all UNICEF staffs, partners and the national committees for their excellent work.
Mr. President,
- I like to emphasize on few important issues that are complex but critical for the performance of the organization:
a) UNICEF’s success in making a sustainable partnership with private sector for financing, innovations, knowledge, skills and technology will greatly influence the quality of our future generations, the achievement of 2030 Agenda and all other milestones. We need to reach a greater number of children and address more dimensions of the challenge children are facing. We need more partnerships, more resources. We appreciate current level of partnership as we see overall income is growing. But any shortfall in the actual income would leave the increasing number of children in peril as we observe adverse impact of conflict and climate change is increasing globally. Partnerships with international financing institutions such as the World Bank is indeed a welcome development.
b) The success of UNDS reform would depend largely on effective roll-out of new Management and Accountability Framework at the country level. Greater role of UNICEF in preparation and implementation of UNDAF, mainstreaming children’s issue in national planning and UN entities’ work can help to implement UNDS reform on the ground.
c) Technology-based solutions such as Global Information Goods Alliance is the appropriate step towards minimizing the existing digital divide between the children of developed and developing countries. If not addressed now, such divide will increase in under-developed economies as countries face the impact of the 4th industrial revolution. We strongly believe that UNICEF can play important policy intervention in reversing the trend of children of the developing economies being left behind technologically.
d) ITF report is a timely and very important document to re-align UNICEF’s organizational culture and service delivery strategies for combatting the emerging global challenges. We appreciate the steps and initiatives undertaken by the Executive Director and the Management in augmenting transparency and accountability at all level that will contribute to better performance and efficiency.
Mr. President,
- Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made considerable progress in protecting and promoting child rights. Request UNICEF’s increased support to stop stunting, reduce mortality by drowning and other preventable causes in Bangladesh. UNICEF’s longstanding partnership with Bangladesh has been reinforced by its untiring support to the Rohingya children living in the camps and the host communities of Cox’s bazar. As we are preparing to celebrate 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of Child let us evaluate our achievements and make renewed commitments.
I thank you, Mr. President.