Dhaka: Members of the executive committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Saturday evening.

IPU President Saber Hossain Chowdhury led the delegation members.

The Prime Minister welcomed the IPU executive committee members and other delegations now in Bangladesh from different countries to join the five-day IPU Assembly.

Sheikh Hasina expressed Bangladesh's happiness for their joining the mega event from across the world saying it is a testimony of the country's advancement and establishing democracy.

At the meeting, the delegation members highly appreciated Bangladesh for the successful arrangement of such a big event in Dhaka, and expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for the heartiest hospitality extended to them.

During the meeting, the Japanese delegation chief raised the earthquake issue that hit Japan a few years back and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for extending support to Japan at that time.

He also expressed keenness to share Japanese experiences with Bangladesh about facing natural disasters saying his country wants to continue to pursue the issue of natural disasters raising it in international fora.

In response, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has huge experience in dealing with natural disasters and it is always ready to face such challenges that may happen.

Sheikh Hasina said the first thing which is needed is the functional democratic system in the country and her government has been working to this end.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury said Sheikh Hasina is the real champion of global causes and she was only the head of government who was present during the signing of MDGs in 2000 and the adoption of SDGs in 2015.

Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, PMO Senior Secretary Suraiya Begum, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present.