BismillahirRahmanir Rahim

H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh-

H.E. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen,OIC Secretary General-

H.E. Azad Rahimov,Chairman of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Minister and Hon’ble Minister of Youth and Sports of Republic of Azerbaijan-

Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Gambia- H.E. Dawda A. Jallow

Honourable Ministers and high officials and all protocol ----

President of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum- H.E. TahaAyhan

Honorable State Minister of Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh- Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel MP

Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

As SalamuAlaikumWaRahmatullahiWaBarakatuhu.

It is a matter of great honor and privilege to welcome you to the biggest celebrations of the Youth so far – the OIC Youth Capital – Dhaka 2020. The recognition of Dhaka as the capital of youths of 57 OIC countries is indeed a testimony of overwhelming vitality of the youths of our country and the spirited leadership of our Hon’ble Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina. Before I move further – let me put on record, our deepest gratitude to OIC Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Youssef bin Ahmed Al Othaimeen and Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum President, HE TahaAyhan for honoring us with such title.

Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

Bangladesh joined OIC in 1974 under the visionary leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and since then it has been playing significant role in different activities of OIC and promoting common interests of Muslim Ummah. We have always been at the forefront of engaging youths of the muslim world to bring positive changes. In this regard, I would like to remind you that Bangladesh, in partnership with ICYF, hosted the very first OIC Youth Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) as the youth segment of the 45th CFM of OIC in 2018.

Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

This year we are celebrating the Birth Centenary of our father of nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Throughout his life he stood for justice like a solid rock and his love for humanity and the common people has been the strength and spirit of his life. Once David Frost, a British journalist asked him and I quote, “ What is your greatest strength, he replied “ I love my people”, and when he asked what is his greatest weakness, he replied, “ I love my people”.The convergence of the yearlong events of Dhaka-OIC Youth Capital with that of the celebration of the Bangabandhu’sBirth Centenary basically to enlighten the global youths to love humanity and stand for justice. We are going to introduce Bangabandhu Global Youth Award for the global youths for their outstanding contribution in the field of Innovation, Environment, Humanitarianism, Sports, Culture & Arts, and  Entrepreneurship.

Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

Despite the grim backdrop of COVID-19 which has rattled the global economy and social structure, we believe that the strength, and in particular, the traits of the Youth are something that we can showcase for attracting human aspirations and ambitions. The occurrence of the COVID-19 has accentuated the underlying rationale for the theme of this year’s edition ‘Resilience for Parity and Prosperity’. COVID19 has shown the world that it is not the stockpile of weapons & nuclear bombs that can save life but it is love for fellow human beings irrespective of religion, culture, ethnicity or color that can pull us together to face this challenge. In fact, regardless of language, ethnicity, race, religion, even national boundaries and sovereignty, this deadly menace has caused us to think of ‘humanity’ as one. And youth that are fresh in mind and approach,open minded and highly innovative can take the lead.

Brothers and Sisters,

With the power of the youth, Bangladesh has already materialized the Vision-2021 to transform it into a “Digital Bangladesh” and the decision of organizing the whole “Dhaka, OIC Youth Capital 2020” program is a testament to the technologically empowered advanced Bangladesh. Despite the onslaught of COVID-19, Bangladesh is determined and steadfast to attain the goals and targets of SDG-30 and we are striving ahead with our Vision-2041 and “Delta Plan 2100”. May I draw your attention that today 27^th July is the 50^th Birth Anniversary of SajeebWajed Joy, the architect of our Digital Bangladesh and he is none other than our Prime Minister’s son, our IT Advisor.

Brothers and Sisters,

Dhaka-OIC Youth Capital 2020 programs have been designed to create a nexus among the youngpeople from across the globe particularly by using technology, to bring positive changes. Our series of programs have been promoted online and social media through a platform named Youth for Global Bangladesh (Y4GBD) which is an initiative of my Ministry of Foreign Affairs in close association with Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Youth for Global Bangladesh, while we celebrate Dhaka- OIC Youth Capital 2020 activities from July 2020 till June 2021, it would create a permanent platform to engage youths across the globe to promote the interest of Bangladesh. This platform will be used as a tool for engaging youth for business, ideas & innovation, research& development as well as public diplomacy aiming at communicating influential youth leaders across the world to pursue a shared prosperity for our Common future.

Brothers and Sisters,

This inauguration will be followed by Resilient Youth Leadership Summit, where young people will meet global humanitarian leaders to brainstorm ideas to face the challenges posed by this COVID-19 and also to raise voice globally for the plight of Rohingya. This programme is particularly important as it emphasizes on leadership, vision and imagination of the youth for a better world. Our another objective is to sensitize the global youth that the persecution of Rohingya Community is an example of such intolerance,and solution lies in their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to their homeland in  Myanmar. We would like our youth to imitate our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who out of love for humanity gave temporary shelter to the persecuted people of Myanmar.

We would like to further sensitize them that hatred and intolerance is not a way forward for a better world. Rather love and respect for people a sustainable world of peace and stability across nations. We would also like to highlight the issues of justice and accountability andenlighten the youth about the exemplary role played by OIC in lodging the case against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

We are a lucky nation. Majority of our population are young with full of vibrancy and creativity. Therefore, our future is bright----our GDP growth rate was higher among the 45-Asia Pacific countriesand we are sure to achieve the dream of the father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of a Shonar Bangla, a golden Bangla where poverty, illiteracy, discrimination and hunger will be a thing of the past.

I thank you all for joining this august event and let us build a better future. Almighty Allah has given all that we need, hands, eyes, mouth, brain and now it is your turn to ignite the spirit in you to enlighten the world and I have no doubt that you can do. Have confidence in you. Thank you.

Joi Bangla!

Joi Bangabandhu!

Long Live the OIC!