Global leaders to join Bangladesh’s celebrations between Mar 17-26: FM

Bangladesh has planned to go all out with a big celebration next year featuring visits from heads of state and government between March 17-26 marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh's independence.

During the outgoing year, the country had also planned many big programmes but those were put on hold due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

"We expect some heads of governments on March 17-26. We have already received some confirmations but it depends on improvement in the Covid-19 situation," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told UNB at his residence.

He said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering are among those leaders who have almost confirmed their visits to Bangladesh between the time specified.

The foreign minister, however, said the government does not want to do any programmes which may create problems for the country's people amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

World Peace Conference

The foreign minister said Bangladesh will host the World Peace Conference next year, marking 50 years of independence.

"We're working to find a suitable date and it'll be a gathering of peace lovers across the world."

Momen said Bangabandhu spent his entire life to establish the rights of people, end discrimination, empower people and he was a believer of democracy, the rule of law and people's power.

He also said Bangabandhu throughout his life wanted peace and stability. "We're making a long list of prominent poets, novelists, singers and intellectuals. We'll cut it short later."

Momen said the government wants to completely change the wrong perception about Bangladesh and wants to help the world know it is a land of opportunities with its vibrant economy. "It's no more a basket case."

He said Bangladesh is sometimes described as a poverty-stricken country and hard hit by natural disasters like cyclones, and Bangladesh wants to change such narratives in the world.

The minister said the government has taken up various programmes through its 78 missions abroad to brand Bangladesh positively, adding the government has opened Bangabandhu Corners in 68 missions out of 78 abroad as Bangladesh and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are inseparable.

He also mentioned that Mauritius had named a street after Bangabandhu.

Meanwhile, the "Bangabandhu Gallery and Library" has recently been inaugurated at State Guesthouse Meghna apart from a "Genocide Corner" at Sugandha.