A four-day long shadow United Nations conference, under the theme “Reinstating Good Governance for Equitable and Sustainable Economic Growth,” began at Rajshahi University campus Friday.
The United Nations Youth and Student Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB), a UN model platform for the nation’s young people, organised the conference, which was inaugurated at 11am by chief guest State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam at the university senate building.
Praising UNYSAB’s young organisers, the minister in his inaugural speech upheld the importance and influence of such initiatives.
Shahriar also gave the participants clear views on the UN, its work, goals and activities, mentioning the role played by Bangladesh in the UN.
Upholding the development of diplomacy in this country, Shahriar said Bangladesh is now a role model. It has finalised its land boundary and sea boundary treaties with India and Myanmar without any clashes.
He thanked Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, and added that Bangladesh is developing smoothly under her diplomatic leadership.
The minister also thanked the university authorities and organisers for arranging such a conference.
At the start of the conference, UNYSAB president Mamum Mia highlighted the goal and role of such a youth conference, which is to lead the nation another step forward towards bettering diplomacy.
Around 266 participants from seven countries are taking part in the four-day event.
RU Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, RU proctor Professor Tariqul Hassan, RU Student Advisor Professor Sadequl Arefin, among others, are special guests while UNYSAB Director General Kaioum Talukdar conducted the inaugural session.
The four-day conference will be held at different venues of the university.
The programme includes nine committee sessions, with the first session having been held yesterday. The other sessions will be held in the next three days.
The event includes a general assembly akin to a UN session, campus tour and culture programme on the first three days, and the closing ceremony will be held on day four. At the ceremony, State Minister of Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak will attend as chief guest.
Dhaka Tribune is the media partner of the event.
Meanwhile, in response to a query, the state minister said Kamrul Islam, the prime accused in Saimul Alam Rajon’s murder, will be brought back from Saudi Arabia soon. It may take one or two weeks to do so, as the Saudi Royal Court has given its approval to Kamrul’s return to Bangladesh.
"We have handed over the legal copies and documents to Interpol to bring him back. He will be returned to the country after Interpol has finalised the papers," he added.