Bangabandhu’s first UNGA speech Magna Carta for Bangladesh’s multilateral diplomacy

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech at the 29th UN General Assembly (UNGA) has received rich tributes at a high-level commemorative event.

Ambassadors and permanent representatives to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) from different regions paid profound tribute to Bangabandhu on his birth centenary and 46th anniversary of his speech at the UNGA.

Bangladesh High Commission and the IMO jointly organised the programme in London on Friday, reads a press release.

Chaired by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also spoke at the event.

Many expatriate Bangladeshis from the UK and Ireland joined the programme as well.

Recalling Bangabandhu's UNGA speech, Momen said 46 years ago on September 25, 1974, Bangabandhu delivered his maiden speech at the 29th UNGA in his native language Bengali, placing multilateralism and global peace and prosperity at the centre of his foreign policy.

UK National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Chief Executive James Bridge termed the speech as a historic record of enormous diplomacy by Bangabandhu between 1972 and 1974 to secure universal recognition for the newly independent Bangladesh at the UN.

High Commissioner Saida Muna, also Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the IMO, said, "Bangabandhu's maiden speech at the UNGA continues to remain the 'Magna Carta' of Bangladesh's multilateral diplomatic principles and practices."

Kitack Lim said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dedicated his life to peace, freedom and justice of the people of Bangladesh.

Recalling Bangabandhu's participation at the 1973 and 1975 Commonwealth summits, Patricia Scotland said the Commonwealth takes pride in the fact that it was the first international organisation that embraced Bangabandhu and Bangladesh's membership in 1972.

And referring to the World Maritime Day 2020, observed on 24 September, Momen said, "Like Bangabandhu's aspirational foreign policy, his pragmatic maritime vision of 1972 continues to guide our deep and abiding commitment to the mission and vision of the IMO and our aspirations as a maritime nation."