UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate Queen Mathilde visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar district on Tuesday, reports UNB.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, among others, accompanied the Belgian queen during her visit there.
She is scheduled to return to Dhaka this evening and join a dinner hosted by Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
The UN Country Team in Bangladesh on Monday warmly welcomed Queen Mathilde.
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic which stalled and reversed development progress globally, and the subsequent Russia-Ukraine war that induced a cost-of-living crisis, this visit highlights the heightened importance of the SDGs, and also showcases Bangladesh’s dynamism and commitment, said the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka.
On her first day to the country, the Belgian queen visited Fakir Apparels Ltd, a garment factory in Narayangan that produces clothes for major international brands.
About one-third of the factory’s employees are women, who have participated in women’s empowerment initiatives by the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) through the Better Work programme.
This work contributes to the sustainable development goals of achieving gender equality, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and ensuring decent work for all.
The Belgian Queen met with some of the women working at the factory and visited the childcare facilities.
“I am delighted that the Queen of Belgium has joined us in advocating for decent work and the SDGs in Bangladesh. Ensuring decent work contributes to progress on many other SDGs including those related to inequality, poverty, food security, health, and the environment — particularly for dynamic countries like Bangladesh, said Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh.
Afterward, she visited an Ability Based Accelerated Learning centre in Dhaka’s Khilgaon area, where she spoke with the children about how the Covid-19 pandemic had disrupted their lives and education.
In accordance with the sustainable development goal of quality education, UNICEF-supported learning centres and catch-up programmes offer flexible education for over 80,000 Bangladeshi children aged 7-14 who have dropped out, are at risk of dropping out from school, or have never been enrolled in formal education.
Once children reach age-appropriate skills, the centres support their enrolment in formal primary schools.
Queen Mathilde ascended to the throne in 2013.
She is the honorary president of both Child Focus, a foundation for missing and sexually exploited children, and UNICEF Belgium.
In 2001, Queen Mathilde established the Princess Mathilde Fund (now the Queen Mathilde Fund) to promote the care of vulnerable people. As an SDG Advocate, she is particularly focused on mental health.
Another report from Khulna adds: Belgium Queen Mathilde will visit different projects at Dacope upazila here today, deputy commissioner Khondokar Yasir Arefin said on Tuesday.
The Queen will visit Water Treatment Plant of UNDP at Sutarkhali Union of the upazila.
She will also visit flood related project at Jhulantapara of Kalabogi area under Sutarkhali Union and exchange views with beneficiaries of the project later.
The Belgium's Queen is now on a three-day visit to Bangladesh in her capacity as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) advocate.
Dacope upazila administration has taken massive preparation ahead of Belgium Queen's visit.
Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mintu Biswas told BSS that tight security measures have been taken at the upazila on her visit.
Law enforcement personnel including RAB and Police members have already been deployed.
A helipad has already been prepared and speed boats have been kept ready, the UNO said.
Local administration, high officials of law enforcement agencies and a special team of Special Security Force (SSF) have already visited Water Treatment Plant and Flood project area ahead of the Queen's visit.
