Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received "ICT Sustainable Development Award" from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao formally handed over the award to the Prime Minister at a gala dinner programme at UN headquarters last evening.

ITU honoured a number of heads of state and government, past and present leaders of the United Nations, UN permanent representatives and business executives in recognition to their contribution to promote the use of ICTs towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Receiving the award, the Prime Minister said, "It is a significant recognition as we are working to build a 'Digital Bangladesh'. She extended her thanks to ITU for this important recognition, saying she deeply feels honoured to receive this award."

Dedicating the award to the young people of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said her government is promoting ICT access to every citizen so that no-one is left behind. She called upon all for joining hands with each other to remove all barriers to a knowledge-based sustainable future.

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary and United Nations Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the ITU has given the ICT Sustainable Development Award to a number of heads of state and government for harnessing the potential of ICTs for sustainable development.

United Nations senior officials, heads of the state and their spouses, permanent representatives of the United Nations, Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, high officials of UN specialized agencies and renowned business leaders and philanthropists attended the award-giving ceremony.

President of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Sam Kutesa, Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova, Founder and CEO of Global Sustainability Foundation Sheri Yan, President of New York Academy of Sciences and Chairman of Global STEM Alliance Ellis Rubinstein and Founder and CEO of China STEM Education Foundation Dr Ruiyang Wang were present on the occasion.