State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Time to allow young generation dream big: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has said it is time to allow young generation dream big and address any skill gaps in their career path through training in communication, cooperation and leadership.
Support and cooperation from all the stakeholders including private sectors, NGOs, development partners in the forms of knowledge, skills and technology as well as investment are needed in the employment generation and skill development of youth to utilise their full potential, he said.
Read:Ambassador Muhith takes over chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Group in Vienna
The State Minister made the remarks while addressing a policy dialogue virtually titled “Skill Development of Youth for Better Employment Opportunity” as the chief guest.
Syeda Saima Ahmed, Councillor, Ilford Town, London Borough of Redbridge and Tasmiah Rahman, Head of Strategy & Business Development, BRAC took part as the panelists at the event held on Saturday evening.
The dialogue was chaired by Tasnuva Ahmed, President, JCI Dhaka Independent and moderated by its Director Mahfuz Mishu.
Junior Chamber International, commonly referred to as JCI, is a non-profit international non-governmental organization of young people aged 18 to 40 years who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities.
The State Minister said the government of Bangladesh has already taken numerous initiatives to ensure maximum utilisation of youth potential through promoting their empowerment, morality, humanity and commitment to uphold the responsibilities and glory of Bangladesh.
He said there are certain challenges that they need to address together.
"We need to ensure full employment and decent work for all men and women including the youths by 2030," said the State Minister.
He said global standard education and skill development are twin key factors to this endeavour.
Read:EU delegation launches Climate Adaptation Campaign
Serum may resume vaccine export in July/August
India, depending on the scale of production of vaccines within the country, is aiming at July-end or August to at least release those vaccines that have been bought by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal and are now in pending status, reported The Print on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami had an "informal meeting" with State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, neither side revealed what they discussed.
Also read: Let's see what can be done, have patience: PM about vaccine management
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.
Bangladesh was supposed to get five million doses of vaccine per month as the SII and Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharma signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for priority delivery of the vaccine doses.
Also read: Bangladesh rolls out Pfizer vaccine at 3 Dhaka centers
Bangladesh sought at least 3 million doses of 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 vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
Big-B Initiative to bring more investment to Bangladesh: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (Big-B) Initiative of Japan will accelerate cooperation for development of quality infrastructure and create more investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
These, he said, will also strengthen regional connectivity.
Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki met the state minister on Tuesday and comprehensively discussed the bilateral relations and issues of common interests.
Read: COVAX Facility: Japan to provide 30mn vaccine doses to other countries
They also reviewed the progress of the Japan-funded major development projects.
Recognising Bangladesh’s leadership role in the climate change discourse, the Ambassador said the Japanese investors are willing to invest in clean energy.
Bangladesh and Japan agreed to work together to tackle the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both sides recalled Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s groundbreaking visit to Japan in 1973 which laid the rock-solid foundation of the bilateral relations.
The state minister conveyed his deep appreciation for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s participation at the event celebrating Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
Read:COVID-19 Response: Japan provides ASEF equipment to Bangladesh
The two sides agreed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022 in a befitting manner, including through exchange of high-level visits.
State Minister Shahriar Alam stated that the Covid-19 pandemic posed an unprecedented challenging time for all and thanked the government of Japan for the Covid-related assistance.
He briefed the Japanese envoy on the initiatives taken by the government to combat the pandemic and sought support from Japan to continue its fight against the virus.
Japanese Ambassador highly appreciated the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh, even during the pandemic, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and assured of continued support to Bangladesh to deal with the Covid situation.
Read: One step closer to completing historic Metro Rail project in Bangladesh: Japan
Alam underscored that if 1.1 million Rohingyas were denied the opportunity to return to their ancestral homes in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar and it could have ramifications for regional and international security and stability.
He also urged Japan to use her influence to persuade Myanmar and the international community to create a conducive environment within Myanmar for safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas.
The Ambassador reiterated Japan’s commitment of continued support for Rohingya repatriation.
Dhaka calls for global leaders’ concerted efforts in tackling climate change
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has called for collective efforts by the global leaders in tackling climate change and its adverse consequences.
He made the call while delivering a keynote speech virtually at the ‘P4G Thematic Breakout Session on Water’ on the sidelines of the P4G Seoul Summit- 2021.
Also Read: Calls for immediate action to tackle climate change
P4G -- Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 -- is a global initiative launched in 2017 to accelerate the response to climate change and the implementation of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
It is a multilateral platform that aspires to channel investments in impact to deliver inclusive and tangible solutions to Build Back Better and Greener to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
As an active partner of P4G, Bangladesh has already developed nodes of partnership in the five P4G focus areas, like “Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation & Health (FINISH) Mondial”, “Sustainable Future for Textile Factories”, “Clean Water for All’ etc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
State Minister Alam lauded the market-based solution orientation of the P4G platform in ensuring access to safe and clean water and sanitation in developing countries.
While presenting an overview of Bangladesh’s leadership role in spearheading innovative adaptive solutions to climate change induced challenges, Alam highlighted Bangladesh’s firm commitment as the current Chair of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) to break new grounds in garnering financing and international resolve to balance lives and livelihoods in all the vulnerable member states.
He underlined Bangladesh’s exemplary precedence of establishing a “Climate Change Trust Fund” and expenditure over US$ 415 million from its own resources to implement over 800 mitigation and adaptation programmes, despite being a LDC.
The State Minister lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership in fighting against climate change.
Alam mentioned that Bangladesh has been spending, on average, 2.5% of its national GDP for adaptation and resilience building measures through projects like the ‘Barind Multipurpose Development Project (BMDP)’.
He said Bangladesh has adopted a unique ‘Delta Plan-2100’ that aligns with the five P4G focus areas in cross-cutting ways and fortifies the country’s commitment to the global goals towards green development.
The inaugural P4G Summit convened on 19-20 October 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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.
Ensure women’s participation in all peace initiatives: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has said the UN and the international partners need to support national governments in their efforts to protect and advance the cause of women.
"During this trying time, let’s redouble our efforts to ensure women empowerment globally and their full, equal, and meaningful participation in all peace initiatives," he said.
He was addressing a webinar titled "Women, Security and Peacebuilding: A 21st Century Perspective" on Friday night.
Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies in Canada - BCBS - in collaboration with the Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa, Canada, organised the webinar.
Also read: Hungary, Bolivia want COVID-19 vaccine from Bangladesh: Shahriar Alam
Mobina SB Jaffer, Senator for British Columbia, Jacqueline O’Neill, Ambassador of Women, Peace and Security, Global Affairs Canada, Yasmin Ratansi, MP Don Valley East, Ontario, Major General (ret) Kristin Lund, Former Head of Mission UNTSO, Norway and Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araújo, MINUSCA, Military Gender Advisor for the Force spoke as panelists.
Dr Khalilur Rahman, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada and Chief Patron of BCBS, welcomed the panelists to the webinar and made his introductory remarks highlighting the importance of the issue as well as the role Bangladesh and Canada have been playing in promoting women’s empowerment, peace and security.
Shahriar said their investment in women and girls is paying dividends. "Our women are now a strong catalyst for our rapid socio-economic progress. They aren’t mere recipients, but active agents of our socio-economic changes," he said.
Also read: Bangladesh has lowest gender pay gap: Shahriar Alam
The panelists applauded Bangladesh’s role in the adoption of UN resolution 1325, its national implementation along with the related SDGs to empower women and engage them in peacekeeping.
No disagreement over Bhasan Char except few recommendations: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said Bhasan Char is now a settled issue and hoped that international agencies will get engaged taking responsibility of Rohingyas in Bhasan Char, the way they are doing in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps.
“Bhasan Char isn’t an issue now. It's resolved,” he said, mentioning that the UN team and diplomats who have visited the Bhasan Char did not raise any “disagreement” but there are a few recommendations.
Also read:2 years of Rohingya influx: 43 murders in camps, 32 killed in ...
As of now, the government of Bangladesh has relocated over 18,500 Rohingya to Bhasan Char in several phases out of a planned relocation of 100,000 Rohingyas.
“We’re managing their basic humanitarian needs from our own exchequer -- given that the UN is yet to commence their operation at the island,” said the State Minister while addressing a webinar as the chief guest.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the webinar on “The Rohingya Crisis: Response of the International Community and the Repatriation Process”.
He said though Bangladesh is happy over the role of some friendly countries regarding the Rohingya issue but cannot express satisfaction over the position of other friendly countries.
“UN is talking about it repeatedly but nothing effective is happening,” Shahriar said, adding that some countries are not spending much time repatriating Rohingyas.
Also read: 1,700 more Rohingyas on their way to Bhashan Char
Bangladesh also spent over USD 350 million from its own budget to develop Bhasan Char with better infrastructures and amenities to relocate a portion of Rohingyas from the over-congested and disaster-prone camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The State Minister said the UN and other countries are yet to do what they were supposed to do towards Rohingya repatriation.
UK lauds Hasina's leadership on climate front
The United Kingdom has commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) during the lead up to the UNFCCC COP26 scheduled for November 2021 in Glasgow.
British State Minister for Foreign Affairs for South Asia, the Commonwealth and the UN Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon recalled the leadership of Hasina during a recent virtual meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.
Lord Ahmad took interest in hearing about Bangladesh’s priorities for COP26, including in its capacity as the representative for the climate vulnerable countries.
Also read: Bangladesh, US to work together to address challenges of climate change
He underscored the importance of protecting the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, from the adverse impacts of climate change.
State Minister Alam briefed his UK counterpart about the recent visit to Bangladesh by the US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry.
He invited Lord Ahmad to visit Bangladesh during the Mujib Year, also in connection with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the UK.
Also read: Hasina's leadership to ‘amplify calls for decisive action’ on climate front
The two State Ministers discussed the latest international travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the renewed spike in corona virus infections, especially from the South African variant.
State Minister Alam urged the UK to take Bangladesh off the red list at the earliest based on factual evidence.
The two State Ministers exchanged views on the situation of the Rohingya in Bangladesh. They discussed the current impasse over their voluntary repatriation to Myanmar and their partial relocation to Bhashan Char.
Also read: Make no mistake; take action: Kerry on dealing with climate crisis together
Lord Ahmad assured his Bangladesh counterpart of the UK’s continued support on the question of the Rohingya’s safe and dignified return to Myanmar.
The two Ministers also discussed preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) expected to be held physically in June 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda.
At the outset, State Minister Alam expressed deep condolences at the demise of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and consort of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
Intra-D-8 trade: Transport connectivity gets focus in Summit
The D-8 countries on Thursday agreed to explore the possibilities of developing and enhancing transport connectivity among D-8 Member States to facilitate trade and investment, including the intra-D-8 trade.
“There’s a lot of opportunities and possibilities. We’ll take initiatives to boost trade and investment and create jobs,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at a virtual press conference after the 10th Summit.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were present.
Dr Momen said they believe that trade and investment among the D-8 countries will be increased through cooperation.
The Summit adopted two documents – “Dhaka Declaration 2021”, and “D-8 Decennial Roadmap for 2020-2030.”
Dr Momen said the D-8 leaders commended and supported the idea of the government of Bangladesh to engage the youth and ensure their participation in the new reality of 4IR through hosting the first-ever D-8 Youth Summit.
Also read: D-8 Summit: Hasina for building a better future together
If nurtured properly, the demographic asset of more than 50 percent of the D-8 populace under 24 years of age could become the fulcrum that boosts up economic growth of the Member States, according to Dhaka Declaration 2021.
Saudi Arabia won't send back Rohingyas to Bangladesh: Shahriar
The Saudi government did not say that the Rohingyas, living in Saudi Arabia, will be sent back to Bangladesh, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday.