Switzerland looks forward to working with Bangladesh: Envoy
Ambassador of Switzerland in Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard. — UNB photo
Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard said Wednesday she wants to engage in the United Nations Security Council and looks forward to working with Bangladesh to continue their joint actions for peace, international law, sustainable development and human rights.
“But let me get this straight. It will not be an easy task – given the numerous global challenges we face, cooperation is essential,” she said, adding that Switzerland is a serious global player and a reliable partner of Bangladesh.
The Ambassador spoke at the DCAB Talk at Jatiya Press Club hosted by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh.
DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and his Secretary General AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.
DCAB members and Ambassador Chuard observed a minute’s silence to pay their deepest homage to the country’s founding President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his family members, who were brutally murdered in 1975 as the country marks Month of Mourning.
Ambassador Chuard said that what her country stands for and contributes to here in Bangladesh is actually a reflection of what Switzerland stands for and promotes around the world.
“This is part of our broader quest to create a better, safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for all,” she said.
In June of this year, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Switzerland as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2023-2024.
Dialogue, trust-building and consensus-building are in our DNA, the ambassador said, focusing on their shared commitment that they can really make a difference.
The Swiss envoy said they would continue the committed partnership with Bangladesh towards the next stage of its socio-economic development.
To this end, she said that good governance, respect for and promotion of human rights, empowerment and inclusion of women and minorities, and climate change adaptation and mitigation will remain at the heart of our actions and development cooperation.
The ambassador said they would also work with drivers of change, such as women and youth, and focus on strengthening civil society voices and participation to create oversight mechanisms, which are critical to sustainability and inclusivity.
“We are keen to increase our engagement with Bangladesh on SDGs as they remain our compass for years to come. One SDG that is particularly close to our hearts in this regard is SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – as it is so closely linked to other SDGs,” she said.
Indeed, the envoy said, without peace, justice and inclusion, achieving goals such as eradicating poverty, ensuring education and promoting economic growth would seem difficult or even impossible.
“Multilateralism is more important now than ever, especially for countries like ours,” she said.