Chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus has sought
cooperation from foreign friends to build a new Bangladesh dreamt by youth
folks.
“Through
the sacrifice of lives and indomitable leadership of the youth, revolutionary
changes have taken place in Bangladesh. They sacrificed their lives to build a
discrimination-free society and a prosperous country,” he said.
Dr
Yunus said this at a reception hosted marking the 50th year of Bangladesh's
membership in the United Nations Tuesday evening.
The
chief adviser said: "The sacrifice of young people has created a great
opportunity for us.
We
don't want to miss this opportunity. The youth want to build a new Bangladesh
through a drastic change in the existing state structure and institutions. We
need all of your support to implement it.”
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, US Assistant Secretary of State for Central and
South Asia Donald Lu and representatives of various countries attended the
event.
On
September 17 in 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations.
Foreign
Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan,
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul
Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser’s
Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam
were present, among others.
Prof
Yunus and photographer Shahidul Alam unveiled the covers of two books written
on the events of the student-led uprising.
Recalling
the sacrifice of the students, Prof Yunus said the whole nation is united on Wednesday (September 25).
“We
do not want to disappoint those who dreamed of a new Bangladesh,” he said.
The
chief adviser said his government is working to put in place a new electoral
system through institutional reforms.
“There
was no dream to the youth as a dictator had shattered their dream and future.
So
they did not hesitate to stand before the bullet to topple the dictator,” he
added.
Addressing
the foreign friends, the Nobel laureate said the courage and determination the
Bangladeshi youths showed has overwhelmed all.
Standing
in front of bullets, the youths did not hesitate to accept disability, Prof
Yunus said, adding “We want you (foreign friends) beside us in building
democratic Bangladesh cherished by the youth”.
The chief adviser will address the UNGA session on September 27.