A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkır President of the United Nations General Assembly

B A N G L A D E S H A N D P A K I S T A N 25-28 Ma y 2021 D H A K A , B A N G L A D E S H

In Dhaka, I was received by H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. We discussed the plight of the Rohingya people, the situation in Myanmar, the impact of climate change, the importance of human-centred development, gender equality and women’s empowerment, culture of peace and peacekeeping.

Subsequently, I visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on the occasion of the 100th birth year of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

I also met separately with H.E. Mr. AK Abdul Momen, Minister for Foreign Affairs. The topics of discussion included the situation of the Rohingya, climate change, COVID-19 response, Least Developed Countries graduation, South-South Cooperation, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Following this, we jointly briefed the press.

At the Foreign Service Academcy of Bangladesh, I delivered the sixth lecture of the Bangabandhu Lecture Series, which was focused on Bangladesh and the United Nations.

To round off the day in Dhaka, I met with the UN Country Team in Bangladesh, led by Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo. I received a brief from the representatives of the UN agencies on the crucial work of the UN in Bangladesh. C O X ' S B A Z A R

It was an immense privilege to visit Cox’s Bazar— home to almost one million Rohingya refugees.

There, I met with Rohingya people and spoke to many community leaders. I was briefed by Mr. Shah Rezwan Hayat, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and Ms. Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh. I also went to Camp 9, which was impacted by recent fires, met with healthcare workers and inspected facilities at the Turkish Field Hospital.

I thank the host community in Cox’s Bazar. And I commend the Government of Bangladesh for meeting the needs of its most vulnerable neighbours in their darkest hour.

The Rohingya people have survived unimaginable horrors and persecution. We have not forgotten their plight. I assure you that the United Nations General Assembly is determined to ensure a better future for them.

I S L A M A B A D , P A K I S T A N

I began my engagements in Pakistan by addressing the National Defence University, Islamabad.

I then met with H.E. Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The topics of discussion included Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, United Nations Security Council Reform, Pakistan’s Presidency of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, climate action, financing for development, and the equal, fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. Thereafter, we jointly briefed the press.

I was also received by H.E. Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan. We discussed the situations in Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, and Afghanistan, as well as the importance of debt restructuring and eradicating illicit financial flows.

In addition, I met with the United Nations Country Team, led by Resident Coordinator Julien Harneiss, and was briefed on the work of the United Nations in Pakistan.

In Islamabad, I was received by H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan. We discussed the role of multilateralism when contending with global challenges, and Pakistan’s role in the United Nations.

I was honored to receive Pakistan’s civil award, Hilal-e- Pakistan from H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, in recognition of my service as the President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, under unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This session has indeed been pivotal. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished under very difficult circumstances. In this context, I was humbled to receive this award, on behalf of the whole UN family, in recognition of the significant work we have undertaken during this unique period.