UN-Habitat calls for post COVID-19 cities to lead the way to a healthier future

UN-Habitat calls for post COVID-19 cities to lead the way to a healthier future

A new report on pandemics and cities from UN-Habitat, points the way to how hard-hit urban centres can reduce the impact of future outbreaks and become more equitable, healthy and environmentally friendly. ‘Cities and Pandemics: Towards a more just, green and healthy future’, launched on Tuesday, describes how urban areas have been at the forefront […]

Webinar emphasises effective govt-NGO collaboration

Webinar emphasises effective govt-NGO collaboration

Speakers at a webinar on Sunday underscored the needs for effective collaboration between the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the sake of sustainable development. They also said NGOs must be united to continue sustainable development of future Bangladesh and ensure timely and quality services for the grassroots. The observations came at a virtual discussion […]

Will follow up discussion that FM Momen had in Washington: Miller

Will follow up discussion that FM Momen had in Washington: Miller

US Ambassador Earl Miller has expressed willingness to work closely with Bangladesh government to follow up the discussion that Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had in Washington DC with his counterpart and other high dignitaries.  Both sides also expressed satisfaction about the upcoming launch of the US-Bangladesh Business Council this month.  Foreign Minister Dr […]

Wasting food just feeds climate change, new UN environment report warns

Wasting food just feeds climate change, new UN environment report warns

More than 930 million tonnes of food sold in 2019 landed in waste bins, according to new UN research, released on Thursday, in support of global efforts to halve food waste by 2030. Produced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner organization WRAP, the Food Waste Index Report 2021 reveals that between food wasted […]

UK to launch greener vehicle petrol to reduce CO2 emissions in September

UK to launch greener vehicle petrol to reduce CO2 emissions in September

A greener vehicle petrol that could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year is to be introduced across Britain in September 2021, the British government has announced. The British Department for Transport (DfT) said the greener fuel E10 petrol could cut transport emissions equivalent to 350,000 fewer cars on the roads of Britain. […]

UNSC: Dhaka extends support to Tokyo’s bid for permanent seat

UNSC: Dhaka extends support to Tokyo's bid for permanent seat

Bangladesh has reiterated her support for Japan’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council as the two countries agreed to foster greater cooperation in the international fora including at the UN. The two countries also discussed Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s participation at an event celebrating Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the golden […]

UN: Huge changes in society needed to keep nature, Earth OK

UN: Huge changes in society needed to keep nature, Earth OK

Humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. So the world must make dramatic changes to society, economics and daily life, a new United Nations report says. Unlike past U.N. reports that focused on one issue and avoided telling leaders actions to take, Thursday’s report combines three intertwined […]

Turning terrace into thriving farm in urban Bangladesh

Turning terrace into thriving farm in urban Bangladesh

Jahangir Haider of Cumilla city hardly fits the quintessential image of a farmer. But this retired government official has now become the talk of the town with his rooftop farming, which has limited his outing to the market amid Covid. When Jahangir started his own terrace garden after retirement in 2017, he planted a handful […]

UN Chief calls for greater commitment to avert climate catastrophe

UN Chief calls for greater commitment to avert climate catastrophe

Noting that the 2021 a ‘crucial year’ for climate change, UN Secretary-General António Guterres  said the world is far from achieving agreed goals to reduce global warming in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and stressed the need for securing greater commitment to averting climate catastrophe. António Guterres was speaking to Member States […]

US pressures China over human rights, regional destabilisation

US pressures China over human rights, regional destabilisation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday pressured China over human rights issues and warned that Beijing will be held “accountable” for threatening regional stability, during a phone call with China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi. “The United States will continue to stand up for human rights and democratic values, including in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong […]