It is a matter of great pride for Bangladesh that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic quote, “friendship to all, malice towards none” has been incorporated in the 14th paragraph of the UNGA resolution titled “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, 2023.”
It is no surprise that, almost five decades after Bangabandhu first uttered the words in his maiden speech at the UNGA on September 25, 1974, where he emphasized the need for establishing world peace, his words continue to be relevant and inspiring.
Moreover, with the current post-Covid world order and the Russia-Ukraine war threatening global stability, Bangabandhu's words have never been more important to pay heed to.
It is also no surprise that “friendship to all, malice towards none” has been Bangladesh's go-to foreign policy dictum, and one that continues to guide our nation in its efforts in diplomacy and building stronger, lasting relations with other nations. Moving forward, with Bangladesh soon to become a middle-income economy, there is no alternative for our nation than to build even stronger relations with as many nations as possible, and it is this dictum that will continue to guide us.
With Bangladesh soon to celebrate 51 years of being liberated from the oppressive Pakistani forces on December 16, and with numerous short-term and long-term goals coming up, we must continue to learn and be inspired by the words and teachings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman if we are to reach our fullest potential as a nation and develop into a prosperous and developed “Shonar Bangla.”
