UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Oliver de Schutter has highly praised the remarkable progress of Bangladesh in reducing poverty.

He remarked this when the UN Special Rapporteur called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka, on Sunday. 

The State Minister underscored that a deeper understanding of the political and socio-economic background would be essential to gauge the extent and degree of the progress Bangladesh made in reducing poverty.

Mentioning a number of innovative and effective interventions of the Government of Bangladesh, Shahriar highlighted the competitiveness of the RMG industry- the prime export industry of Bangladesh that Bangladesh takes pride in, and the key role it played in the realization of economic, social and political rights including, inter alia, through women empowerment.

The Special Rapporteur reflected on his findings regarding the challenges posed by climate change and the Rohingya crisis, and underscored the need for redoubling commitments and contributions on the part of the international community.

While making a few recommendations, the Special Rapporteur also underscored the linkages between the economic, social and cultural rights and the civil and political rights, and opined that this has an important bearing on making the progress sustainable.

In this regard, the State Minister underscored the critical importance of due diligence, neutrality and objectivity of all, including the UN system as well as the CSOs that are active in the arena of human rights. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing collaboration with the UN Human Rights mechanism.

During his visit, he met a number of key dignitaries of the Government. He also visited Rangpur and Kurigram districts, and the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. He also met members of civil society organizations.