UN Secretary General António Guterres has praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in addressing the issue of climate change in the international arena.

He also mentioned Bangladesh’s remarkable contribution to peace operations as well as the reputation and professionalism of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

The UN chief made the remarks when Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Rabab Fatima presented her credentials to the UN Secretary General (SG) at the UN Headquarters on Friday.

Guterres recalled his meeting with Prime Minister Hasina during the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP25) held in Madrid last week.

Rabab Fatima becomes the 15th Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh to the UN since 1974 when Bangladesh became the member of the apex body under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said the Bangladesh Mission on Saturday.

She was Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan prior to this appointment.

After presenting her credentials, the PR conveyed greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the Secretary General.

Guterres termed Bangladesh as a friend of the UN, and lauded Bangladesh’s socio-economic developments under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He said Bangladesh is a valued member of the UN and is making an important contribution to the work of the global body.  The PR reiterated Bangladesh’s continued commitment and support to the UN and to the Secretary General’s initiatives and efforts.

Fatima and Guterres also discussed the Rohingya crisis, and the SG reassured that he will continue his efforts towards finding an early and durable solution.

The PR conveyed the invitation to the SG to attend the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman starting March 2020, and shared that the occasion will be celebrated globally in a befitting manner.

Recalling the recent decision of UNESCO to celebrate the birth centenary, she said that Bangladesh plans to organise events and programmes with the United Nations in New York, and in this regard, she requested the SG’s support.

Ambassador Rabab Fatima, a career diplomat, joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1989 and held important position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, and also served in Bangladesh Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva; and the Missions in Kolkata and Beijing in various capacities.

Ambassador Fatima has extensive experience and specialisation in human rights and humanitarian issues.

She has also worked with the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, as Head of Human Rights; and with the International Organization for Migration as Regional Representative for South and Southwest Asia.

In the credential presentation ceremony, among others, Deputy PR Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Minister Monwar Hossain, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary A DiCarlo and Chef de Cabinet of the UNSG Maria Luiza Ribeirio Viotti were present.