Ambassador M Shameem Ahsan, Bangladesh's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, says the WHO must play a visible and effective role to eradicate Covid-19.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) must play a visible and effective role in ensuring universal, timely, equitable, with fair distribution and access to safe vaccines for the eradication of Covid-19," he said to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a farewell meeting on Thursday.
The ambassador praised WHO's leading role in tackling Covid-19. He called on the organization to provide more assistance to lower and middle-income countries to develop their health sector in the aftermath of the ongoing global pandemic.
Highlighting the Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh, Ambassador Shameem said: "Bangladesh is successfully tackling the coronavirus crisis with timely and correct decisions and proper direction from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
He also mentioned the donation of US dollars 50,000 by Bangladesh to WHO to ensure the production and equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccine.
The ambassador also highlighted the various success stories of the current government in the health sector of Bangladesh.
Dr Tedros congratulated the parting permanent representative for successfully completing his term. He lauded the unprecedented development of Bangladesh in the health sector.
The director general also praised the ongoing activities and initiatives of the government of Bangladesh in controlling Covid-19 and thanked Bangladesh for its support and cooperation with WHO in tackling this worldwide infection.
In particular, he praised the government of Bangladesh for its effective role in controlling the spread of coronavirus in densely populated Rohingya refugee camps.
Dr Tedros handed over a special honorary memento to Ambassador Shameem for his significant contributions to WHO and various health-related issues. He wished the parting ambassador good health, longevity and prosperity in his post retirement life.
Ambassador Ahsan expressed his sincere gratitude to Dr Tedros and the WHO for their full support during his tenure as permanent representative of Bangladesh.
After serving as the permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva and the ambassador of Bangladesh to Switzerland for almost six years, Ambassador Shameem is returning to Bangladesh after a 35 year long diplomatic career.