President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozker today said Bangladesh has become an example for the least developed countries (LDCs) by becoming a developing one.

He said this while paying a call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.

“Bangladesh has now become an example for graduation from the LDCs. People of Bangladesh are very courageous and they will carry forward it,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, who briefed journalists after the meeting, quoted the UNGA president as saying.

Ihsanul Karim said the premier and UNGA president discussed various issues like coming UNGA session, climate change, Rohingya issue and COVID-19.

Volkan Bozker, who arrived here this morning on a brief visit, highly admired the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

He also lauded the situation of gender equality and women empowerment, mentioning, “Bangladesh is led by a lady Prime Minister.”

Sheikh Hasina said she was inspired by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman as he first introduced 10 percent quota for women in the parliament.

“We are just following his path to empower women in all sectors of society, including politics and administration,” she said.

The premier added that the leader of the House, the opposition leader of the House and speaker of the parliament and deputy leader of the House are women at this moment.

The UNGA president said that they are thinking to hold the general assembly this year with physical presence of the heads of government.

“We are thinking to allow a delegation of one plus one person from each country during this year’s UNGA,” he said.

The UNGA president praised Bangladesh’s generosity in sheltering over one million Rohingyas.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has stood by the over one million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

The Prime Minister said that they were holding talks over the issue with Myanmar government, but no significant progress has been registered yet.

“We’re monitoring the situation. But the situation becomes uncertain following the recent development (in Myanmar),” she added.

The Prime Minister also said that they have prepared housing for one lakh Rohingyas in the Bhashanchar while 18000 of them were willingly go to the char.

To this end, she said that they are inspired by Bangabandhu as the Father of the nation always stood by the distressed people.

On the Covid-19 situation, the Prime Minister gave a brief description about the measures taken by the government to protect the lives of the people and the economy.

She also said the government has ensured food security alongside the social safety amid the Covid-19.

The Prime Minister narrated the hostile attitude towards her and her sister following the killing of Bangabandhu and most his family inmates on August 15, 1975.

UNGA President Bozker will visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar district to meet the Rohingyas tomorrow (Wednesday) before heading for Pakistan.

Chairperson of the Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and PM’s daughter Saima Wazed and Ambassador at Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, were present.