Say 'no' to wars: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at UNESCAP meet

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called for speaking  out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say ‘no’ to wars.

“We must speak out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say ‘no’ to wars," she said adding that Bangladesh supports the UN Secretary General’s ‘New Agenda for Peace.

The prime minister was addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held at the ESCAP Hall (2nd floor), United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) here.

She arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to Thailand. 

The PM said the pre-condition for sustainable development is lasting peace and security.

“We must settle regional disputes and tension through dialogue. Our mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain paramount,” she said.

Hasina called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to redouble their efforts to end Rohingya crisis as all efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle without it.

“The origin of their crisis has been in Myanmar, and its solution also lies in Myanmar," she declared.

"As long as that solution remains out of reach, all our efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle. Let us redouble our efforts to put that puzzle back in place,” she said.

She said that in August 2017, when thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh, Bangladesh offered them temporary shelter.

“With an ever growing population, this has now become one of the largest humanitarian situations in the world,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said that In the backdrop of ongoing armed conflicts in Myanmar, the Rohingya repatriation process is also getting delayed.

“This is creating serious security risks within and beyond our territories,” she said.

She called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to play a proactive role in resolving the volatile situation in Myanmar.

“We must ensure that the Rohingya can go back home in safety and dignity at the earliest possible,” she said.

The prime minister said that the Asia-Pacific region must stand united against its common enemies of poverty and hunger.