Nordic Day celebrated in Dhaka

The Royal Danish Embassy, Royal Norwegian Embassy, and Embassy of Sweden joined forces to celebrate Nordic Day in Dhaka yesterday which was celebrated jointly by Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. 

The reception was hosted at the Nordic Club, according to a press release.

Around 400 guests from the Nordic community, representatives of the Government of Bangladesh, and friends of the community from the private sector, civil society organisations, media and other diplomatic missions were hosted during the programme.

The event focused on sustainability in today's world and sustainable practices, according to the press release.

The festivities commenced with the national anthem of Bangladesh played by a live band, followed by the national anthems of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

The three ambassadors went on to welcome the guests with their shared remarks.

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Winnie Estrup Petersen, highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals saying ''We share a strong commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the SDGs, and to support other countries in achieving the goals.''

While the Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Sidsel Bleken commented on sustainable business saying ''Nordic companies represent a more sustainable and more innovative way of doing business. Ever-increasing investments and efforts go into creating green solutions, clean energy, and circular economy.''

Emphasising the importance of gender equality, the Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Charlotta Schlyter said that ''Gender equality is a central part of the fabric of the Nordic countries. In just a few decades, the Nordics have become societies where men and women share work and life in the same arenas.''

Bangladesh Minister for Health Zahid Malek attended the reception as the chief guest of the evening.

''Now, Bangladesh has nearly qualified as a Middle Income Country. For that the Nordic countries, the friendly countries, have helped us and they will continue helping us in days to come,'' he said according to the press release.

Nordic companies presented their contributions to sustainable business. These companies included: ABB, AJS Ventilation, Arla, Beckers, Bestseller, Dan Cake, DNV.GL, Ericsson, Grameenphone, Grundfos, H&M, Hifab, IKEA, Innovative Motors and Scania, Jotun, Kafco, KappAhl, Nilorn Worldwide, Nordic Woods Limited, NovoNordisk, Novozymes, NRD Companies, Rolls Royce, Scatec Solar, Varner, Viking Wind, and Volvo.