Ms Ara (Ms Israt Ara, Chief Patron of Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong and Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong),

Mr Mohi (Mr Syed M. Mohiuddin Mohi, President of Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong),

Mr Palash (Mr Ashfaqur Rahman Palash, General Secretary – Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong),

Vincent (Hon Vincent Cheng, Legislative Council Member),

Clement (Mr Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs),

Distinguished guests and friends,

Thank you for inviting me here today to celebrate this momentous occasion with you all. It is indeed tremendous to see the Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong celebrate its 20th anniversary. This incredible milestone is a testament to the continued relevance and importance of the work that the Association does, not just for the Bangladeshi community in Hong Kong but also for our society as a whole. So, congratulations to you all on the amazing work you have done in the past two decades!

At the Equal Opportunities Commission, we are responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination ordinances in Hong Kong, including the Race Discrimination Ordinance, which is a little younger than the Bangladesh Association and reaching its 15th anniversary this year. Our major work includes handling the enquiries and complaints related to the ordinances, conducting research studies, advocating and encouraging the adoption of diversity, equality and inclusion or DEI policies by public and private sectors, as well as promoting racial diversity and inclusion.

Indeed, strengthening the integration and inclusion of communities from diverse cultural backgrounds has become one of our most important tasks, and there are good reasons. In just 10 years, the number of ethnic minorities living in Hong Kong has grown by almost 40%, reaching around 619 000 in 2021. Excluding foreign domestic workers, close to 45% of the ethnic minority population is under the age of 34. Many were born in Hong Kong, are able to read and write Chinese, and see the city as their home. They can provide important sources for our manpower bank. In other words, ethnic minorities, including the Bangladeshi community, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of our city.

Our vision is clear. We want to transform Hong Kong into a place where understanding, friendships, and partnerships across ethnic and cultural lines are not the exception but the norm. For this to become reality, we need to encourage the next generation to embrace the values of diversity and inclusion from a young age, and be open to learning from those who are different from themselves. For two years straight, we have been organising the Racially Friendly Campus Recognition Scheme for Schools, encouraging educators and students to cultivate inclusive learning environments and explore the meaning of racial equality through engaging activities. We are also running the Equal Opportunity Youth Ambassador scheme, which allows us to recruit tertiary students to become our allies and promote the values of multiculturalism to their peers on university campus.

Beyond educating the next generation, we need to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and create opportunities for interaction between different communities. Over the years, we have been working with employers and stakeholders in different sectors to ensure that ethnic minorities are treated equally in work and when they look for a home. Our Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers, which promotes employment for ethnic minorities and the adoption of policies for building racially inclusive workplace, has already attracted 433 organisations to become signatories, and the list is expanding continuously.

Outside the classroom and office, we are also working to build stronger cohesion between different communities. Last month, we had the pleasure of hosting the Racial Diversity & Inclusion Sports Day, which gave participants of different ethnicities, backgrounds, ages, and professions the opportunity to communicate and make friends through sports. The event also marked the start of our celebrations for the 15th anniversary of the Race Discrimination Ordinance.

Ladies and gentlemen, the EOC is committed to working with our partners and stakeholders in different sectors, including the Bangladesh Association, to ensure that all individuals, no matter their ethnic and cultural background, are treated equally in everyday life.

The racial equality landscape in Hong Kong looks a lot different today than when the Association began 20 years ago. The bridges you have built and the connections you have made between your community and others have vastly enriched the multicultural fabric of our city. Your contributions have undoubtedly made Hong Kong more inclusive, and pushed our society forward to become a place where different communities can thrive together.

I wish the Association continued success in your future endeavours, and I look forward to working with you to create a Hong Kong with equal opportunities for all.