Bangladesh elected as chair of 76th UNESCAP Session 

Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to the ESCAP Md Nazmul Quaunine was elected as the chair of the 76th Commission of Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). 

For the first time in the history, the Commission Session of UNESCAP was held on virtual platform Wednesday amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Thailand was elected as the Vice-Chair, said a press release of Bangladesh Embassy in Thailand.

The theme of the 76th Commission's session is "Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development". 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to attend the meeting in Bangkok and deliver keynote speech; however, as the Session is taking place virtually, she delivered her message through video message. 

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed on regional cooperation for capacity building of developing countries for sustainable use of marine resources.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Nazmul Quaunine, upon his election as the Chair of the 76th Commission' Session, in his acceptance speech thanked the 53 member countries of the ESCAP for reposing their confidence in Bangladesh in electing him as the Chair. 

He underscored the commitment of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina to the regional and multilateral engagements and cooperation and Bangladesh's very active participation in and contribution to the works of the UNESCAP.   

In the opening session, the Asia Pacific nations have agreed to cooperate in addressing the socio-economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemics and adopted a resolution. 

A 7-member Bangladesh delegation led by Md. Khurshed Alam, secretary of Maritime Affairs Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in and contributed to the session through projecting Bangladesh's position in different agenda items and Commission's outcome.