Speaking at the inaugural session of the party’s 20th national council, she outlined her plans for the future of Bangladesh and reiterated her commitment to the country's development.
“In South Asia, Bangladesh will be a bridge between the East and the West. We are giving priority to regional connectivity for this reason,” she said.
South Asia will connect the East and the West and Bangladesh will be a peaceful nation that acts as a conduit for this connection, said the Awami League president.
The 20th national council of the ruling party is being held with the slogan: “Bangladesh is marching down the highway of development; now is the time to hold our head high.”
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Hasina arrived at the council at 10:05am amid loud applause by thousands of delegates and councillors. She formally inaugurated the council raising the national flag as the national anthem played in the background.
The party chief, along with General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, released pigeons and balloons on the auspicious occasion. Presidents and general secretaries of 74 district units raised the party flag at that time.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by recitations from the holy books of different religions and a cultural show.
Awami League Office Secretary Abdul Mannan Khan presented the condolence motion for all the martyrs in the long history of the party's struggle and those who were brutally killed for the cause of the nation and humanity, including the intellectuals and writers who were murdered recently.
Later, Presidium Member Mohammad Nasim spoke at the event as the convener of the reception subcommittee formed for the council, followed by General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and foreign delegates.
The first day of the council was also attended by Jatiya Party lawmakers Anisul Islam Mahmud and Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, Worker's Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Hasanul Haq Inu, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh leaders Badruddoza Chowdhury and Abdul Mannan, Communist Party of Bangladesh leaders Manjurul Ahsan Khan and Mujahidul Islam Selim, Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal leader Dilip Barua and Barrister Nazmul Huda of 32-party alliance, among others.
The two-day council will end on Sunday.