The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh has projected the achievements it has made over the years in improving the situation of children in the country.

In a statement at a special meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Bangladesh deputy permanent representative to the UN Muhammad Ali Socrar said that significant progress has taken place in Bangladesh with respect to children, according to a message received here today.

He said these progresses include reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates as well as increase in percentage of enrollment in schools. Progress has also been achieved in immunisation, sanitation and access to safe drinking water, he added.

Besides, increased focus on girls' education has eliminated the gender gap in primary and secondary school enrollments, he said adding, such advancements have become possible due to the commitment of the government as well as its wide- ranging partnership with NGOs, the civil society and international development partners.

Speaking on the occasion, the Bangladesh representative called upon the international community to come forward with more assistance in helping the developing, and particularly the least developed, countries to invest more on children.

"Unless significant inflow of resources is injected", he said, "it will be hard to sustain the progresses achieved."

He also cautioned that without additional resources, as pledged by the development partners in 2002, the goals for children will be difficult to achieve in time.

The two-day commemorative high level plenary meeting of the General Assembly was devoted to the follow up on the outcome of 2002 special summit on children at the United Nations.

A total of 142 member states made their country statements.

Bangladesh was actively involved in finalisation of the outcome document of the 2002 special session on children, of which it was the elected member from Asia in the five member bureau, the message said.