Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister calls to keep the memory of Queen Elizabeth bright
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, Sept 17: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Commonwealth must do something to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's dedicated service to the agency over many years. She said this during a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia.
According to the Prime Minister's Press Wing, the Prime Minister called the late Rani a 'motherly figure' and recalled his personal memories with the Queen. The Commonwealth Secretary-General paid tribute to the Queen for her commitment to the Commonwealth.
She also expressed confidence that King Charles III would carry on this legacy as the new head of the Commonwealth. The Prime Minister congratulated Patricia Scotland on her re-election as Secretary General at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda in June this year.
The Secretary General appreciated Sheikh Hasina's contribution in women empowerment, child development, mental health issues, combating climate change and countering violent extremism. She appreciated the Prime Minister's leadership in successfully dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said Commonwealth member states had done significantly better during the crisis that had women at the helm or had women actively involved in the governance process.
The Prime Minister responded positively to the Secretary General's suggestion to highlight the female leadership of the Commonwealth family on the occasion of International Women's Day. She committed to partnering with the Commonwealth to observe the Year of Peace and the Year of Youth through commemorative events next year.
The Secretary General noted Bangladesh's work in nature conservation and disaster management and invited the Prime Minister to demonstrate leadership in the Commonwealth's Living Lands initiative. She also recalled the involvement of the Bangladesh leadership with the organization's Blue Charter initiative.
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh highlighted the importance of economic development programmes of the Commonwealth. She expressed her satisfaction with working to develop connectivity in the business sector with Bangladesh's active footprint.
