Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Your Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan,

Hon’ble Members of Your Highness’ Delegation,

My Esteemed Colleagues,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu Alaikum and Good Evening.

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Your Highness and the members of your delegation as our honoured guests in Bangladesh. Being leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, and one of the world’s best-known philanthropists, Your Highness Prince Aga Khan is widely known and respected. In Bangladesh you are warmly regarded for the affection you have been constantly displaying for our country and people.

We recall, today, Your Highness’ first visit to this country a half century ago. We see this visit of yours as yet another landmark event in our bilateral relations. The commemoration will be an opportunity for the Bangladeshis to express their appreciation for your leadership and for your lasting commitment to social and economic advancement.

Your Highness,

You are known for your laudable role in promoting social, economic and cultural development in Asia and Africa. You have contributed significantly towards improving the living conditions and opportunities of millions of poor around the world. You have founded and funded many projects for education, health and social welfare. Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Your Highness has addressed many long-term and persistent challenges of our time - poverty, hunger, illiteracy, health and sanitation.

In Bangladesh, the Aga Khan Foundation has been in operation since 1980. It has been involved with projects across a broad spectrum of activities : health, education and rural development. In each sector, the services provided have been substantial, and exemplary.

Your Highness,

As you might be aware, my government assumed office on January 12, 2007 against the backdrop of a looming political catastrophe. We are now passing through a critical period as we seek to fulfill our promise for a meaningful and sustainable democracy. We believe that democracy is not just about elections and installing new governments at pre-determined intervals : it is also about empowering people and ensuring their rights - right to choose their representatives without fear or intimidation. Democracy is also about the right to enjoy the fruits of economic growth and development. To safeguard these rights, it is imperative to establish the rule of law, eradicate corruption, improve law and order and render the organs of the government, including the judiciary, more effective and accountable.

My Government is working relentlessly and uncompromisingly to achieve these goals. We are at the final phase of achieving desired political aspiration. We are confident that a free, fair and credible election will be held as per the announced roadmap. We are also positive that our reforms and initiatives will be sustainable. To this end, my government will soon meet the representatives of political parties to discuss all relevant issues.

Your Highness,

We hope that the Aga Khan Development Network will be a lasting partner in our development efforts. There should be a greater emphasis on sharing of our development experiences. Bangladesh is in a position to work with AKDN, especially in the areas of our common interest. Many of our success stories in the social sector are replicable. AKDN, we believe, can facilitate the highlighting of Bangladesh’s achievements. It can help replicate Bangladesh’s inclusive development models in many countries of Africa and Asia. We are optimistic that Your Highness will accord due consideration to these immense possibilities for mutual cooperation.

May I now invite you all, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, to join me in a prayer for the good health, happiness and long life of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, and for continued peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh and of the Ismaili community.

May the cooperation between Bangladesh and His Highness and his community widen and deepen further in the years ahead.

May Allah bless us all.

Thank you.