PM receives int'l award for poverty reduction

For her special contribution to poverty alleviation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives an award from Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, honorary president of South-South News, at the headquarters of International Organisation for South-South Cooperation in New York on Monday. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received an award for Bangladesh for its stellar performance in poverty reduction during the present government's tenure.
The International Organisation for South-South Cooperation (IOSSC) gave the award at a function at its headquarters in New York on Monday.
Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, president of the South-South News, handed over the award to Hasina, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said.
The heads of state and government of different countries and their spouses were present at the ceremony.
After receiving the award, Hasina thanked the IOSSC and other dignitaries for presenting the award to her and Bangladesh for its achievement in poverty reduction.
"It recognises important achievement of our people and our government during its tenure and I'm proud to accept the award as recognition of Bangladesh's efforts … to eliminate poverty,” she said.
Appreciating the continued support of Ambassador Francis to the cause of poverty, Hasina said, "The award will inspire us to work harder to win our war against poverty, especially to accelerate progress towards 2015.
"It will also inspire us to equally work harder to attain all other goals … within 2021."
Recognising the valuable support of the development partners, the premier said, "There are greater involvement in terms of financial resources, and technological support would enable us to overcome poverty and all other challenges."
Devoting the award to the people of her country, she expressed her belief to turn Bangladesh into a hunger and poverty free 'Sonar Bangla'.
She also highlighted the achievements of her government in various fields, including lowering the poverty rate below 26 percent, which was 51 percent in 1991.
Hasina extended her thanks to the leaders of Awami League (AL) and the grand alliance for the significant achievements that her country made during the present government's tenure.
"We've been implementing various activities for which Bangladesh has been able to make its place at the global stage as a dignified nation," she added.
PM's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Hossain Putul, AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon, among others, were present on the occasion.