Dr AK Abdul Momen
HR promoting countries have a double-standard approach: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday pointed out the double-standard approach of some of the countries that are vocal on human rights issues but encouraging investment in Myanmar where human rights are grossly violated.
An analysis conducted by BankTrack and Justice For Myanmar has found that nine internationally operating banks have invested over US$24 billion in 18 companies that have either direct and longstanding commercial ties to Myanmar's military or to state entities that the military is attempting to control as a result of the coup.
READ: Relations with China as usual: FM Momen
“It’s in no way acceptable,” Dr Momen told reporters referring to that investment expressing displeasure over the role of the countries who speak loudly on human rights issues.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, JPMorgan Chase, UBS, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and BNP Paribas are among the top banks investing in companies linked to the Myanmar military junta, according to Justice for Myanmar.
Dr Momen said the banks are giving the money when human rights are violated in Myanmar. “You should ask them (ambassadors of those countries) why they are giving money to Myanmar.”
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), JPMorgan Chase, UBS, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and BNP Paribas were all identified as having shareholdings worth over US$1 billion in the 18 companies, it said.
MUFG alone holds shares in these companies worth over US$5 billion, with SMFG and JPMorgan Chase not far behind, holding shares worth over US$4 billion each.
Significantly, Goldman Sachs holds 5.7% of shares in Bharat Electronics which provides military equipment to Myanmar. All of these banks have a responsibility to act and to account for how they are doing so.
Yadanar Maung, Justice For Myanmar’s spokesperson, said the international banks they have highlighted have clear human rights responsibilities.
“The military's relentless campaign of terror is enabled by its business interests and the banks play a crucial role. Investors must divest from companies that repeatedly fail to act to uphold its responsibilities. It has taken too long for these businesses and banks to act. Unless they act urgently, they’ll fail the people of Myanmar.”
READ: FM calls for joint efforts to build sustainable resilient future
These banks have continued their investments despite the Myanmar junta's campaign of terror that has involved the murder of more than 820 people since the February coup and indiscriminate airstrikes in ethnic areas. These abuses are financed by international businesses.
Justice For Myanmar called on banks to act by divesting from companies linked to the military before the February 1 coup and using their leverage to ensure that investee companies linked to the military as a result of the coup suspend payments.
Relations with China as usual: FM Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said there is no “deficit” in terms of relations with China over the vaccine issue, saying the relationship remains as usual without any change.
“Diplomatically, we agreed that Bangladesh wants to buy (vaccine doses from China) and they would like to supply,” he told reporters at his office.
The Foreign Minister said vaccine doses will be procured from the Chinese company and the Chinese government will play the role of facilitator in between. “The private company will decide what it’ll do. It’s their matter.”
He said no problem is supposed to be there as there is no such change.
On Saturday, Hualong Yan, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, said no deal was made between Sinopharm and the Bangladesh side till today.
He said this will be a commercial purchase negotiation between the Bangladesh government and Sinopharm, rather than with the Chinese government.
On May 27, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved a proposal for buying 1.5 crore doses of Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine.
Hualong Yan in a Facebook post on Saturday said 600,000 doses of vaccine gifted by the Chinese government are ready for delivery by June 13. "It's sincerely hoped that our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters will get the most needed vaccines at an earlier date," he said.
Just nine days after the arrival of the first batch of 500,000 doses of gift vaccine in Bangladesh, China announced the provision of the second batch of gift vaccine doses to Bangladesh.
China says it fully reflects that China attaches great importance to the friendly relations between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister said that good news is that the US will provide vaccine doses to Bangladesh. “But they didn’t tell us the exact figure.”
He said Bangladesh needs a huge amount of vaccine doses as it is a big market of 165 million people.
Dr Momen said the first consignment of urgent medical supplies from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is scheduled to arrive here on Sunday.
As part of its ongoing emergency assistance to countries in South Asia, the US government, through the USAID, on Saturday airlifted urgent medical supplies to help Bangladesh.
The US Air Force C-17 flight departed from Travis Air Force Base in California for Dhaka, Bangladesh carrying over 2 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect thousands of health care workers in Bangladesh.
This assistance, which includes the delivery of ventilators, supports the country's capacity to test and diagnose the virus, increases prevention and control practices, strengthens supply chain and logistics management systems, enhances risk communications to counter misinformation, and ensures the effective roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines, said USAID.
Earlier, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said 6.80 crore doses of coronavirus vaccine will be available from the Covax facility under the World Health Organisation for 20 percent of the population, that is, for 3.40 crore people. Out of this 1.06 lakh doses have already been received.
Apart from India and China, there are plans to buy vaccines from the governments of China and Russia, Pfizer Co. from the USA and Sanofi/GSK from France/Belgium.
Negotiations are underway on procuring Sputnik-V vaccine from Russia, and, if necessary, manufacturing the same in Bangladesh.
The World Bank provided US$ 500 million for procuring Covid vaccines and US$ 14.87 million for logistics support.
Loan Agreement for US$ 940 million with the ADB to procure Covid vaccines is at the final stage.
Alongside, there is a good possibility to receive support for vaccine procurement from the European Investment Bank and AIIB.
Plans have been devised to vaccinate 80 percent of the people in phases and in the first phase, people with risks will be vaccinated. The first dose of vaccination began on February 7 while that of the second dose started on 8 April.
FM calls for joint efforts to build sustainable resilient future
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday called on the youths and the civil society to join hands with the government in building a sustainable and resilient future.
"The government is doing its best to tackle the climate challenges,” said Momen, adding “I strongly believe that participation from the youth and civil society can bring the best results for Bangladesh to achieve sustainable solutions."
He was addressing at the Climate Camp 2021, where Nahim Razzaq, MP and Abul Kalam Azad, Special Envoy of Bangladesh Presidency of the CVF also spoke.
READ: COP26: Alok Sharma discusses climate issues with FM
The foreign minister said to create awareness at community level is the first step to bring result in national level.
Individuals, activists, community leaders and youth led organisations can bring solutions through sharing best practices for better adaptation and mitigation, he said.
Dr Momen said, it is the responsibility of every citizen to save the environment, rivers and ponds from pollution.
"Please, don’t throw plastic items, plastic bottles, polythene bags indiscriminately,” he pleaded.
“Stop food waste and food loss, and try to conserve natural resources to help biodiversity. If we all do our part, we are little careful and conscious, we can help our planet earth," he said.
Dr Momen said climate change is a global phenomenon that needs to be addressed through collective efforts and innovative solutions not only internationally or nationally, but also at local and regional levels.
READ: FM, his Australian counterpart discuss progress on TIFA
The impacts of climate change on the environment, the peoples and economies are being felt by every country on earth, he said.
Bangladesh, he said, is experiencing extreme climate change impacts that are affecting national economy and development as well as lives and livelihoods of the people.
On the other hand, Dr Momen said, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has brought greater negative impact on livelihoods of the people as well as the economy of Bangladesh.
Even during COVID 19, he said, Bangladesh has experienced severe floods due to the climate change.
Heavy monsoon rains in upstream regions continue to cause flooding in 30 districts in the north, north-west and south-west of the country, affecting 54 million people.
READ: FM mourns death of Ex. SAARC Secretary General Q.A.M.A Rahim
"Flooding has damaged houses, dykes and embankments, water sources, hygiene facilities, and has severely impacted livelihoods, especially in the agricultural sector," said Dr. Momen.
Momen advises precaution after quakes jolt Sylhet
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday called for precaution instead of getting panicked after a series of mild quakes were felt in the north-eastern district.
“Don’t get panicked. Stay alert. The government also remains aware of it. We will surely do whatever is needed,” he said in a video message to the people of Sylhet.
Momen said he talked to the relevant ministers and officials including Sylhet City Corporation officials after back to back tremors jolted the area on Saturday and Sunday.
The Foreign Minister also suggested keeping emergency kits and first aid tools at homes for use when required.
Also read: Five quakes hit Sylhet
Momen said it is better to come out in the open in case of any emergency.
He advised the people to call at 999 for any emergency and asked the hospital authorities to keep some beds ready for emergency treatment.
A day after six tremors hit Sylhet on Saturday, another mild quake was felt early Sunday.
Senior Meteorologist of Sylhet Met office Syed Ahmed Chowdhury said the latest quake, measuring 2.8 magnitude on the Richter Scale, was felt at 4:35am.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in the bordering area of the district.
No casualty or damage was reported.
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury and police officials visited the site.
The authorities have identified two buildings as risky and asked the occupants to move to safety.
Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain security, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police BM Ashraf Ullah Taher.
Our peacekeepers branding Bangladesh abroad as peace-loving nation: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has lauded the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers as ambassadors of peace, saying they are actually helping brand the country abroad as a peace-loving nation.
"Even during this global pandemic, our peacekeepers continue to serve in various peacekeeping missions, fearlessly rendering their responsibilities," he said on Friday.
Dr Momen felicitated all Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their dedicated service to humanity and hoped that their endeavours will help achieve sustainable peace for the international community.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while inaugurating the 'Peacekeepers Day Rally: Run to Commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2021' in the city.
READ: S Korean envoy shares historical documents with FM Momen
Bangladesh remains a proud contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. It is currently the top contributor of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, with almost 6,500 peacekeepers currently deployed in eight countries.
FM stresses integration of nature-based solutions to improve resilience
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has stressed the integration of nature-based solutions into the coastal zone management strategies and other relevant policies instrumental to reduce risks and improve the resilience of the coast.
He termed the nature-based solutions as a cost-effective approach that utilises ecosystems and biodiversity services for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and provides a range of co-benefits like sustainable livelihoods and food, water and energy security.
Dr Momen inaugurated the three-day long IORA Blue Carbon Hub think tank meeting “Nature-based solutions for coastal risk reduction” on Tuesday organised by the governments of Bangladesh and Australia in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and IORA Blue Carbon Hub.
Secretary at Maritime Affairs Unit Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam chaired the opening session. Around a hundred participants joined the opening day of the meeting.
Dhaka to host World Peace Conference in November
Bangladesh will host a two-day world peace conference in November this year, marking the ongoing birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as part of promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.
Bangabandhu Peace Award will be introduced and conferred during the conference.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said this while addressing a discussion at Foreign Service Academy, marking the anniversary of Bangabandhu's Joliot Curie Peace Prize given in recognition of his contributions to world peace.
Also read: New Delhi mission observes Bangabandhu's Joliot-Curie award anniversary
The Father of the Nation, who was a proponent of peace and addressing problems with dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts, was awarded the medal on May 23, 1973. It was the first international award to the newly-independent Bangladesh.
Bangladesh urgently seeks 1.6mn AstraZeneca doses from UK
After its request to the United States, Bangladesh has urged the United Kingdom (UK) to help it by providing vaccine doses to meet its emergency needs as the second dose vaccination is disrupted in Bangladesh.
"I’m not asking for too much, I’m only asking for 1.6m AstraZeneca doses that they have, they should immediately disburse those to Bangladesh so that people can have their second dose," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said in an interview with ITV News.
Dr Momen said his message to the UK government is that they should be more sincere. "They should help their Commonwealth member states."
He said Bangladesh is a good friend of the UK and so many Bangladeshis contribute to the UK economy. "… so the UK should come forward."
Speaking to ITV News, Dr Momen described the vaccine situation in Bangladesh as a "crisis", adding: "We’re desperate."Bangladesh entered into a deal with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to purchase 30 million doses of a potential vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca for Covid-19.
Read: Rozina to get fair judgement: FM tells CNN
Bangladesh was supposed to get five million doses of the vaccine per month as the SII and Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharma signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for priority delivery of the vaccine doses.
Bangladesh sought at least 3 million doses of the vaccine under the agreement to address the immediate demand in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has so far received only 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of the vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
"India is facing a very critical situation, very alarming… They’re finding it difficult, we can understand it,” Dr Momen said. "So, they’re failing to distribute the vaccine they promised to send us."
He told ITV News that the Bangladeshi government has appealed directly to the UK government for these required doses, but the request was ultimately rejected on the grounds that the UK government did not have the capacity.
"We’ve a belief that if the [UK] government tries, it can do it because they’ve the capacity," the Bangladesh Foreign Minister said.
Although Covid-19 daily cases in Bangladesh are relatively low and, according to the Foreign Minister, measures were in place to prevent the spread of the Indian variant into Bangladesh, the identification of six cases in Bangladesh earlier this month has concerned some experts.
On Friday, the Foreign Minister reached out to global media to let the world know that Bangladesh desperately looks for vaccines desperately and is ready to accept any shipment desperately from any country, including the United States.
"We need it desperately. If any shipment comes, we’ll take it right away," he told CNN in a live interview.
Dr Momen said the big problem is that a large number of people in Bangladesh who took the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca could not get the second dose. "Because we don't have any more. We can't give them the second dose. That’s creating a lot of problems for us," said the Foreign Minister.
He said the government of Bangladesh is trying to get vaccines from other places and they were delighted when Bangladesh heard that the US will be distributing some of the AstraZeneca vaccines that they have.
Dr Momen said he had requested the US government and sent a letter to his counterpart US Secretary of State. "They agreed to give us by and large. "
Read: S Korean envoy shares historical documents with FM Momen
Now the problem is, he said, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking a long time to approve the export of AstraZeneca.
Dr Momen said they are thankful to US President Joe Biden for announcing that the USA will be distributing some of the AstraZeneca vaccine to developing countries, pretty large numbers - 60 million plus 20 around - 80 million vaccines. "This is good news for us."
Exploring Multiple Options On Thursday, Dr Momen said the government is making its best efforts to get vaccines connecting multiple countries - the United States, China, Canada and Russia the UK - apart from its continuous request to India to meet Bangladesh's urgent needs.
He said the discussion with China is almost at the final stage while they are expecting a positive reply from the US on the vaccine front.
While talking to reporters at State guesthouse Padma, Dr Momen said there are people who could not take the second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to its short supply from India.
He also highlighted the ongoing discussion with Russia. "Hope, everything will be settled within a week."
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said they came to know unofficially that Bangladesh is not there on the priority list of the USA as there is a lesser number of deaths in Bangladesh.
"I didn't like the idea. They (US) don't think it's a crisis in Bangladesh," he said, adding that it is an emergency issue for Bangladesh.
US State Department Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security Gayle E Smith has said the United States is going to be the largest sharer of vaccines putting 80 million additional doses into the mix.
"I can’t tell you at this point what the allocation is going to be per country. We’ll have information for you later on. And as I think I mentioned, we are also, with respect to India and also India’s neighbours, mounting an emergency humanitarian response given the surges that are ongoing there," she said.
In a telephonic media briefing on Wednesday, Smith referred to an announcement by US President Joe Biden earlier this week that they will be sharing 20 million vaccine doses from their own stocks in addition to the 60 million AstraZeneca doses that were announced previously by the President.
"So that means we’re going to be putting 80 million additional vaccine doses into the mix, making us the largest sharer of vaccines thus far," she said.
The US official said given the surge there, India has been a major priority for the US. "We’ve delivered $100 million in emergency assistance; mobilised with the American private sector a pretty amazing response, again, from the American private sector and public, and we’ll continue to do so."
Read: More countries approached for vaccines; talks with China at final stage: FM
Smith said she does not have anything to say yet on the ultimate allocations, but they will reach out and make sure that all are informed when those decisions are made.
Responding to a question on India, Dr Momen said India did never say that they will not give vaccines to Bangladesh but failed to deliver.
He said India was requested to provide vaccine doses to Bangladesh as a gift to meet its emergency need if India has an embargo on export.
"I should say we had a very positive discussion (with my Indian counterpart," Dr Momen said.
Covid vaccine: China to send additional 6 lakh doses as gift
China is preparing a the second batch of 600,000 doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh.
The announcement came Friday, just nine days after the arrival of the first batch of 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine as a gift.
China says the move fully reflects that it attaches great importance to the friendly relations between the two countries.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Friday to this end.
Read Bangladesh, China, others call for avoiding vaccine nationalism
At the request of Bangladesh, it was announced that China would handover the second batch of 600,0000 vaccine doses to Bangladesh.
China pays close attention to the latest situation of the epidemic in Bangladesh, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka said.
At this critical time in Bangladesh’s fight against the epidemic, China is concerned about the urgent need for vaccinating its Bangladeshi friends, to help the overcomes the huge demand for domestic and foreign orders and the shortage of vaccine supply, it said.
The arrival of the second batch vaccine will definitely help the Bangladeshi government and people build a strong line of defense against the epidemic, China said.
Also read: Govt approves proposal to import Sinofarm vaccine
In the future, China is willing to provide necessary support for Bangladesh and South Asian countries to fight the epidemic, deepen anti-epidemic cooperation with Bangladesh, and effectively protect the health and security of their citizens.
The Chinese Foreign Minister assured of providing all kinds of support to ensure continuation of "stable supply" of COVID vaccines to Bangladesh.
Dr Momen requested his Chinese counterpart to take an initiative for coproduction of vaccines in Bangladesh.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said they will encourage the Chinese companies to go for coproduction of vaccines with Bangladesh.
Read WHO team working with Chinese vaccine producers ahead of potential emergency use: WHO director-general
He said China keeps up its support with Malaysia, Turkey, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates on vaccine coproduction.
More countries approached for vaccines; talks with China at final stage: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said the government is making its best efforts to get vaccines connecting multiple countries -- the United States, China, Canada, Russia and the UK -- apart from its continuous request to India to meet Bangladesh's urgent needs.
He said the discussion with China is almost at the final stage while they are expecting a positive reply from the US on the vaccine front.
While talking to reporters at State guesthouse Padma, Dr Momen said there are people who could not take a second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to short supply from India.
Before the briefing, the Foreign Minister had a meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun at State guesthouse Padma.
He also highlighted the ongoing discussion with Russia. "Hope, everything will be settled within a week."
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said they came to know unofficially that Bangladesh is not there on the priority list of the USA as there is a lesser number of deaths in Bangladesh.