We have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on UN Summit for the Future.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate the Co-facilitators for convening this Informal Consultations on the Summit of the Future.

We would like to bring three points to the attention of you based on the key democratic principles of inclusion and participation, accountability and transparency of the summit of the Future process from the local level, country level and regional level.  

First, the Summit of the Future must be an inclusive and participatory process that provides ample opportunity for all stakeholders, including civil society organizations and under-represented groups, from all over the world to make their voices heard, provide inputs, and outline their priorities.

Second, digital governance is a growing component of the country and global governance that must be adequately addressed. We are looking forward to the report from the UN SG’s Secretary-General’s report on Our Common Agenda in line with the Policy Brief 5:  A Global Digital Compact – an Open, Free and Secure Digital Future for All and Policy Brief 8: Information Integrity on Digital Platforms. We would like to fully endorse this report and 11 policy briefs.

Ensuring a just country and global digital transformation, strengthening the integrity of public information, and improving the ability of the multilateral system to respond to complex crises are priority issues and will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore,

• Overcoming digital divides and getting the SDGs back on track;
• To continue to consult with civil society organizations actively and meaningfully at country level on the Summit of the Future process for meaningful civil society engagement.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact & Summit of the Future 2024: Make Bangladesh’s Voices heard at the GDC and Summit of the Future has consistently called for Summit of the Future preparations to be undertaken in an open and inclusive manner, allowing contributions from a range of civil society organizations, private sector, media and other stakeholders.

I have the pleasure to inform you that H.E. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Government of Bangladesh has addressed the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session at the UN headquarters in New York on 22 September 2023 about Summit of the Future 2024. “We deeply appreciate the UN Secretary-General’s initiative to convene the “Summit of the Future” 2024. We hope that this process will amply complement our efforts to attain the 2030 Agenda.”

To conclude, Madam/Mr. Co-facilitators,

We look forward to working together towards a Summit of the Future and we would appreciate it if you could kindly persuade the concerned authority to allow us the upcoming process of the Summit of the Future, accordingly! It is not a privilege!  It is our rights !

I thank you, Madam/Mr. Co-facilitators.

Joy Bangla! Joy Bangabandhu!