Hon’ble Prime Minister,

Hon’ble Foreign Minister,

Foreign Secretary,

Rector, Foreign Service Academy

UN Resident Coordinator

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Foreign Service Academy is a blessed venue as it boasts of the memory of the greatest Bangali of all times our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's footprint. Sugandha, which now house the FSA was the first Ganabhaban of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu's meetings with Pakistani authorities before our independence was held in one of the rooms of this academy in the turbulent days of March, 1971. His unmoved stance for an independent Bangladesh inspires us in the Foreign Ministry even today. Bangabandhu took many foreign policy decisions in this premises. We feel proud to train our diplomats in this blessed seat of diplomacy. This Academy was a gift from you, Hon’ble Prime Minister during your first tenure in 1996.

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

It is Bangabandhu’s legacy that you have carried forward towards the vision of a hunger and poverty free Sonar Bangla. Bangabandhu’s blood running in you, his vision blooming in your mind moved you to dedicate your life for true emancipation of the people of Bangladesh. We know, infrastructural development is one of your priorities as it is crucial to ensure equitable socio-economic development. Through implementing mega-projects like Padma Bridge on our own finance, you have shown the courage of a true statesman. Mega projects like Metro Rail, Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant, Special Economic Zones, Paira & Matarbari Deep Sea-ports emboldens our trust in your prudent leadership.

Today, Bangladesh is lauded across the globe as glaring example of an indomitable nation. A nation with remarkable socio-economic development. Your leadership, Hon’ble Prime Minister, has turned Bangladesh into the fastest growing nation in the entire Asia with a phenomenal rate of 8.3% in 2018-19. Despite the onset of COVID 19 pandemic, our economy grew at 5.4%. Our strong foreign currency reserve consolidates your government's success even more.

Diplomacy is the first line of defence, we are committed to fortify our sovereignty and national interests.  We are now putting all our efforts to create a vibrant and positive image of our beloved motherland across the globe. Under your able leadership, we have established 20 new Bangladesh Missions abroad in the last ten years to enhance our diplomatic representation. In the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, Bangladesh’s flag proudly flutters in the sky of 62 countries. The forthcoming golden jubilee foreign office looks forward to your guidance and instructions. We hope we will be blessed with your visit to MOFA in the new year.

Your kind consent in inaugurating this new infrastructure of foreign Service Academy has emboldened our spirit. We consider this new infrastructure as a gift of Mujib Barsha from you. I thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister for your kind presence and trust on Bangladesh’s diplomacy and us. We promise not to fail you, not to fail the interest of our motherland, Thank you, Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Finally, I also thank all distinguished guests who are present here and also who are watching the program through digital platforms and participating in the program virtually from different countries. 

I would also like to express our deep appreciation to all stakeholders in this project. Your sincerity and hard work are much appreciated.

I would also like to thank our Ex Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, MP for attending the program who laid the foundation of the new building of Foreign Service Academy.

Now, may I humbly request you - Hon’ble Prime Minister to inaugurate the Foreign Service Academy by unveiling the plaque.

Now, may I request the Hon’ble Prime Minister to unveil two books published on the occasion of the Mujib Year by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, namely “bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina and the United Nations: Bangladesh at the world stage” and Bangabandhu the People's Hero”

Thank you, all.

Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu

May Bangladesh live forever.