Poverty Alleviation

Collected Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on Sunday. UN Special Rapporteur on Poverty and Human Rights Olivier De Schutter met with Shahriar Alam.

UN special rapporteur praises poverty alleviation in Bangladesh

He appreciated the significant progress of Bangladesh in raising the high poverty line from 48.9 percent to 18.7 percent and the low poverty line from 34.3 to 5.6 percent.

Referring to the challenges posed by climate change and the Rohingya crisis at the meeting, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights emphasized the need for the international community to redouble its commitment and contribution.

Meanwhile, Schutter expressed his views on the climate crisis and the Rohingya issue.

Shahriar Alam said, within the political and socio-economic context, how much progress Bangladesh has made in poverty alleviation should be seen. He highlighted several plans of Bangladesh government in this regard.

The State Minister said that Bangladesh's main export industry namely ready-made garments has played an important role in economic and social fields in poverty alleviation. Besides, empowerment of women has also contributed in this regard.

The special rapporteur will present his report on the Bangladesh visit to the Human Rights Council in June next year.

Schutter told the state minister that the recommendations to the Human Rights Council emphasized the linkages between economic, social, cultural rights, civil and political rights. These factors have an important impact on sustaining progress.

Shahriar Alam emphasized the importance of due diligence, impartiality and objectivity by all in the UN system and the human rights arena. He highlighted Bangladesh's ongoing cooperation with the United Nations human rights system.

During his visit to Bangladesh, the Special Rapporteur met several important persons of the government. He visited Rohingya camps in Rangpur and Kurigram districts and Cox's Bazar. He also met with representatives of civil society.