প্রকাশ: 06/02/2024
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her reelection as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a greeting letter sent by Co-chair and Trustee of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Melinda French Gates to the Premier, she wished all the best as Sheikh Hasina began a new term as Prime Minister.
"I know that I
join everyone at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in expressing how much
we value our longstanding partnership with Bangladesh," she said.
"We hope to
continue supporting Bangladesh's development goals as aligned with the SDGs and
the government's 8th Five Year Plan," she added.
Melinda French Gates
said Bangladesh is poised to become a regional and global exemplar in adopting
technology and innovations, and "we are committed to providing ongoing
support for your financial inclusion goals, including your visionary Digital Bangladesh
initiative".
She continued,
"Our foundation has partnered with a2i and ICT to develop an inclusive
digital financial ecosystem, and we are collaborating with the Central Bank to
contribute to your SMART Bangladesh Vision for 2041."
She said, "Our
foundation also shares your commitment to ensuring food security for all."
She also mentioned that
they are working with Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to modernize rice
breeding and maintain productivity in the face of climate change.
The Co-chair of the
foundation congratulated Sheikh Hasina's government on successfully completing
the National Plan of Action on Nutrition and passing the National Food and
Security Policy 2020-2030.
In this regard, she
said the foundation's nutrition team focused on reducing micronutrient
deficiencies through large-scale food fortification, and "I hope we can
grow our collaboration with your government".
Mentioning that
Bangladesh has achieved great progress in providing access to safe water and
sanitation, she said they have partnered with government departments to scale
the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation, Fecal Sludge Management Support Cell.
Additionally, she said
they are working with DPHE and a2i to establish a Sanitation Data Command
Center in Bangladesh, the first of its kind in South Asia.
Memorandum of
understanding with the Economic Relations Division was pivotal for unlocking
these collaboration pathways, Melinda French Gates said, adding, "I hope
we can develop a more comprehensive agreement spanning all our development
priorities."
She also commended
Sheikh Hasina's commitment to strengthening primary healthcare systems and
making them more equitable.
She, as well, mentioned
that Sheikh Hasina's administration's introduction of the HPV vaccine into the
national immunization program is a remarkable achievement, and the foundation
is glad as was one of the partners for this initiative.
Congratulating the
launch of the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, Melinda French Gates said that
like Sheikh Hasina's government's focus at COP28, the foundation is advocating
for increasing adaptation finance and gender-responsive climate action.
She added: "I hope
we can find ways to collaborate on these efforts and unlock climate adaptation
opportunities for Bangladesh."
Revealing that an
executive delegation from the foundation will be visiting Bangladesh this year,
she hoped they can meet senior members of Sheikh Hasina's administration to
discuss their joint efforts and future collaborations in driving global health
and development.
She also mentioned that
Hari Menon, who leads the foundation's work in South and Southeast Asia, and
Jamal Khan, who leads their government relations with the Government of
Bangladesh, will reach out to the Prime Minister's office to plan this visit.
Melinda French Gates
ended her letter, saying, "I look forward to continuing our strong
partnership and together driving progress toward our shared goals."
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