Mr. President,
I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to you for convening this debate and for sharing your insights on the need for revitalization of the General Assembly to uphold the values and principles of multilateralism.
In view of the unprecedented situation posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the PGA and Member States had to adapt to new reality in managing GA processes. We thank the PGA and all delegations for their flexibility and support in this regard. Since the extraordinary circumstances has not over yet, all of us need to exercise nimbleness to adjust to any future eventualities while complying with the rules of procedures of the GA.
Allow me to congratulate H.E. Ms. Egriselda Aracely González López, PR of El Salvador and H.E. Mr. Michal Mlynár, PR of Slovakia, for their appointment as co-chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (AHWG). Let me also express my appreciation to the outgoing co-chair H.E. Ms. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, PR of Ghana and the reappointed co-chair, H.E. Mr. Michal Mlynár for their able leadership in steering the proceedings of the AHWG in the 74th UNGA.
Bangladesh associates itself with the statement delivered by Algeria on behalf of NAM.
Mr. President,
The strength of the UNGA is its unique capability to bring together representatives of the world’s countries. The GA is a symbol of international solidarity. It is also a symbol and practical manifestation of multilateralism. As we celebrate 75th anniversary of the UN, we must take this valuable opportunity to look back on achievements and to have a critical look at the challenges for the UN and multilateralism as a whole. To ensure that this august Assembly will have to conduct its role in a comprehensive and collaborative manner, we all have to do our part to preserve the inter-governmental, inclusive, consultative and democratic nature of the GA.
Bangladesh believes that revitalization of the work of GA remains an integral part of the wider efforts of reforming the United Nations as a whole. In that context, Bangladesh appreciates the agreement that resolution 73/341 will form the basis of the whole process of AHWG. Bangladesh also welcomes the adoption by consensus of resolutions 74/303 and all relevant previous resolutions, and looks forward to similar constructive engagements among delegations during the current session.
Mr. President,
Rationalising the agendas of the GA and ECOSOC, eliminating duplication and overlap and promoting complementarity in the consideration and negotiation of related issues are priorities for many Member States. Aligning the agenda with the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda is also vital and we believe there is still room for improvement. In this connection, I wish to thank the PGA for the important responsibility he has bestowed upon Slovenia and Bangladesh as the co- facilitators for the Agenda alignment process. We look forward to the support of all Member States to accomplish this important work.
Mr. President,
The office of the PGA plays a critical role in fulfillment of UN’s mandate. Hence, there is no alternative to the strengthening of the PGA’s office and adequately equipping it with resources, both logistics and substantive. With regard to strengthening of the institutional memory of the Office of the PGA, Bangladesh agrees that additional human resources must be assigned to that Office on a permanent basis from the Secretariat, specifically with the aim of improving record-keeping and assisting with continuity from session to session. In this regard, we take positive note of the incremental progress achieved so far.
The practice being followed in the recent years for appointment of the PGA is a welcome development. We need to build further on this and replicate in other appointments, where possible.
Mr. President,
We subscribe to the initiative aimed at proper implementation of the UN Charter with respect to the functional relationship between its main organs, in particular the GA and the ECOSOC. We commend the regular dialogue held by the PGA with the President of the Security Council and President of ECOSOC. To this end, the AHWG should suggest how synergy, coherence and complementarity among the agendas of the Assembly and its Committees, the ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as interaction with the Security Council can be improved.
Mr. President,
Bangladesh continues to take interest in reform of the working methods of the General Assembly and its main Committees and welcomes the progress made by the main Committees in improving their working methods. We understand that the working method is only a step towards more substantive improvements aimed at restoring and enhancing the role and authority of the General Assembly. In this context, we would see merit in mainstreaming some of these efficiency measures across all the Committees.
We also underscore the need for our collective understanding and determination to ensure due prominence for the General Debate segment of the annual GA session. In this regard, we echo the views of many Member States regarding the growing number of side-events and activities taking place in parallel to the GA debate.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by emphasizing once again the important role the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the revitalization of the GA plays and assure you that Bangladesh will continue to engage in a constructive manner in the proceedings of this forum so that we can make a meaningful progress this year.
I thank you.