NEW YORK, 30 April, 2021 (TON): Bangladesh’s historic resolution on Global Drowning Prevention has been unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly.

On 28 April, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Rabab Fatima, introduced the resolution, which was co-led by Ireland and co-sponsored by 81 UN member states.

According to the resolution, drowning affects all countries and provides a framework for action for an effective response to the unacceptably high number of drowning deaths.

Accordingly, the UN declared 25 July a new UN Day for drowning prevention to promote awareness and encourage national action, and to share best practices and key solutions to drowning.

According to the WHO's latest estimates, drowning is the cause of 235,000 deaths each year. The number of deaths from drowning in Bangladesh is around 18000 every year.

Also, many countries report that drowning as a leading cause of childhood mortality, particularly in children under the age of five.

The resolution says drowning is a preventable cause of mortality that disproportionately affects children and adolescents within and among nations, says a statement.

Rabab Fatima said, “We have reduced child mortality rates globally, however, if we cannot bring death from drowning to 'zero', our success in primary healthcare, and therefore, achievement of SDG-3 will remain unaccomplished."

However, the resolution encourages the UN member states to prevent drowning by developing national prevention plan and programs, enact national laws, and create awareness.