Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh, India can cooperate in dev initiatives related to millet: High Commissioner
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma has highlighted the important role of millet in ensuring food security, popularizing nutritional diet, promoting sustainable agriculture, and securing financial empowerment of farmers.
He noted that Bangladesh and India have immense scope to cooperate in the exchange of knowledge, sharing of best practices, and in the research and development initiatives related to millet.
The Indian High Commissioner inaugurated an exhibition on “Food Security and Importance of Millets” at the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka on May 21.
US wants to advance 'deep ties' with Bangladesh: Embassy
The United States has said that they maintain a "broad and deep" relationship with Bangladesh, and that they also want to advance the ties.
"The United States maintains a broad and deep relationship with Bangladesh that we seek to advance," an official at the US Embassy in Dhaka told UNB.
Read more: PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it
The response came when the US Embassy's attention was drawn to a media report that claims more US sanctions could be coming.
Bangla New Year 1430 celebrated in Rome
To celebrate and welcome the Bengali New Year, a discussion session and cultural programme were organized at the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy on May 18 - just over a month into the year 1430 on the Bangla calendar. The culture and long heritage of Bangladesh were highlighted at the event showcasing traditional pitha (cake),melodious songs, spectacular dances and culinary traditions, said a press release.The event was attended by high-ranking officials of Italian foreign and other ministries, ambassadors/permanent representatives of various countries, senior managers of the UN system, representatives of Italian civil society, journalists, artists and Honorary Consuls of Bangladesh as well as officers and officials of the Embassy and Consulate General in Milan.Ambassador Md Shameem Ahsan and his wife Pandora Chowdhury welcomed the guests with traditional Boishakhi scarves (uttorio) and exchanged New Year greetings with them.In his welcome remarks, the ambassador highlighted the richness of Bengali culture and mentioned the recognition of Mangal Shobhajatra by UNESCO as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind” as a result of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic initiative and said it adds a new dimension to Bangla New Year celebrations.The Ambassador recalled with deep respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the recognition of Pahela Baishakh as a public holiday and initiating observance of the day with celebratory activities.Minister Alessandra Schiavo, Central Director of the Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, was present at the event as "Guest of Honour".In her speech, she praised the Bangladesh community in Italy and highlighted the importance of the integration of the Bangladesh community in Italy with the Italian language and culture while underlining retention of their own cultural identities and practices.Schiavo further mentioned that the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy are making appreciable contributions to the social and economic sector of Italy, said the release.Dr Francesco Zanini, a professor of Lumsa University, Rome presented the keynote speech in the discussion session.
First ever Bangladeshi envoy to Bahamas presents his credentials
Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner in Canada, has presented his credentials as non-resident High Commissioner in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to Cornelius Alvin Smith, the country's Governor General, at his office in Nassau, the country's capital.
Following the presentation of the letters of credence, a long tête-à-tête meeting was held with the Governor General over the entire gamut of bilateral relations in the presence of the Secretary to the Governor General and the Permanent Secretary and the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas, said a press release.
The Governor General praised the national development plan, including Vision 2041, crafted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and showed intent to work together in the areas of shared concerns, including the challenges of climate change, it said.
Smith also highlighted the history of Bangladesh and The Bahamas in supporting each other in the multilateral platform, including in the UN Human Rights Council.
Lauding the strides made by Bangladesh in women empowerment and gender equity, Governor General said, The Bahamas eagerly looks forward to receiving a delegation from Bangladesh in Nassau when they will host the Commonwealth Women Ministerial Meeting in August 2023.
He also invited the Khalilur to the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of The Bahamas on 10 July 2023.
Responding to the Governor General's remarks, the High Commissioner Khalilur said he has been appointed as the first-ever High Commissioner of Bangladesh in The Bahamas due to the firm intent of Bangladesh’s government to strengthen and expand bilateral relations between the two countries. He also highlighted the potential for collaboration in the areas of shipbuilding, financial services and tourism, which can mutually benefit both countries, the release also said.
After the presentation of the letters of credence, the High Commissioner met Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis KC MP and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper to discuss prospective issues of mutual interests.
WHO launches global network to detect and prevent infectious disease threat
WHO and partners are launching a global network to help protect people from infectious disease threats through the power of pathogen genomics. The International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) will provide a platform to connect countries and regions, improving systems for collecting and analyzing samples, using these data to drive public health decision-making, and sharing that information more broadly.
Pathogen genomics analyzes the genetic code of viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms to understand how infectious they are, how deadly they are, and how they spread. With this information, scientists and public health officials can identify and track diseases to prevent and respond to outbreaks as part of a broader disease surveillance system, and to develop treatments and vaccines.
The IPSN, with a Secretariat hosted by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, brings together experts worldwide at the cutting-edge of genomics and data analytics, from governments, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector. All share a common goal: to detect and respond to disease threats before they become epidemics and pandemics, and to optimize routine disease surveillance.
“The goal of this new network is ambitious, but it can also play a vital role in health security: to give every country access to pathogen genomic sequencing and analytics as part of its public health system,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “As was so clearly demonstrated to us during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is stronger when it stands together to fight shared health threats.”
COVID-19 highlighted the critical role pathogen genomics plays in responding to pandemic threats. Without the rapid sequencing of the SARS-COV-2 genome, vaccines would not have been as effective, or have been made available so quickly. New, more transmissible variants of the virus would not have been as quickly identified. Genomics lies at the heart of effective epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response, as well as part of the ongoing surveillance of a vast range of diseases, from foodborne diseases and influenza to tuberculosis and HIV. Its use in monitoring the spread HIV drug resistance for example, has led to antiretroviral regimes that have saved countless lives.
“Global collaboration in pathogen genomic surveillance has been critical as the world fights COVID-19 together,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “IPSN builds upon this experience by creating a strong platform for partners across sectors and borders to share knowledge, tools, and practices to ensure that pandemic prevention and response is innovative and robust in the future.”
Despite recent scale-up in genomics capacity in countries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many still lack effective systems for collecting and analyzing samples or using those data to drive public health decision-making. There is not enough sharing of data, practices, and innovations to build a robust global health surveillance architecture. Budgets that soared during the pandemic, allowing a rapid build-up of capabilities, are now being slashed, even in the wealthiest countries.
“Argentina is deeply invested in building our own country capacity in pathogen genomics and the capacity of other countries,” said Josefina Campos, Director of the National Genomics and Bioinformatics Center at ANLIS Malbrán, Argentina. “Diseases do not respect borders: a disease threat in one country is also a threat to others. We look forward to collaborating with IPSN members to achieve our common goal of preventing illness and saving lives.”
The IPSN will tackle these challenges through a global network, connecting geographies and disease-specific networks, to build a collaborative system to better detect, prevent and respond to disease threats. Members will work together in dedicated groups focusing on specific challenges, supported by funding through the IPSN to scale-up ideas and projects in pathogen genomics. By connecting countries, regions, and wider stakeholders, the IPSN will help to increase critical capacity, amplify regional and country-level voices, and strengthen their priorities.
Uzbekistan Deputy Foreign Minister meets CIS-BCCI delegation
Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhromjon A'loyev along with his official delegation had a meeting with CIS-BCCI President Md. Habib Ullah Dawn and his Board of Directors on Friday at a City Hotel of Dhaka.
They discussed matters of mutual interest and ways & means of enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Bangladesh especially in the private sector. Uzbek delegates expressed their keenness to have more trade from Bangladesh and showed interest in joint ventures as well as more business interaction facilities in both the countries.
Members of CIS-BCCI related to Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Agro-processed products present at the meeting spoke highly on the potentials of these markets in Uzbekistan and urged upon the Uzbek Government to extend more facilities for joint venture initiative.
CIS-BCCI President Md. Habib Ullah Dawn informed that CIS-BCCI is the only Chamber in the country that works exclusively for promotion of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and CIS countries and attaches more importance for increasing cooperation and trade facilitation between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, especially in the sector of Tourism, Pharmaceuticals, Jute Goods, Hospitality Services and Agro-processed products.
Appreciating CIS-BCCI Chamber’s role, the Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister assured of all out cooperation and assistance for business facilitation and more business interaction between the two countries.
Besides the Deputy foreign Minister, four high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Honorary Consul of Uzbekistan in Bangladesh also attended the meeting. CIS-BCCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ali Deen, Vice President Jadab Debnath, Adviser Mahbub Islam Runu and Directors of the Board were also present.
Dhaka seeks global support in pilot Rohingya repatriation project
Bangladesh has urged the United Nations, ASEAN and regional countries to support the pilot repatriation project and help Rohingya returnees reintegrate in Myanmar.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, made the call while speaking at the Security Council‘s Arria-formula meeting on Myanmar.
The meeting convened by the United Kingdom was held at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday (May 19, 2023).
Referring to the recent dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Ambassador Muhith informed the Security Council that the two sides have decided to undertake a pilot repatriation project under which a group of verified Myanmar nationals will return to their country of origin in the first batch.
Read more: China "unswervingly mediating" between Bangladesh, Myanmar to promote Rohingya repatriation: Ambassador Yao
The repatriation will continue and additional Rohingyas will be repatriated in successive batches.
He further informed that a group of 20 Rohingya visited Rakhine State on May 5, 2023 to see arrangements made in Myanmar for their return.
Citing the pilot project as an important step in the right direction, the Permanent Representative said that Bangladesh is taking all measures to ensure the voluntary return of the Rohingyas in family units. Ambassador Muhith called upon the international community to remain vigilant so that the returnees under pilot project are not exposed to further persecution.
“The presence of humanitarian and development actors in the Rakhine will act as an important confidence building measure. We also urge the regional countries to support the returnees and help them reintegrate in Myanmar society,” he added.
Read more: Rohingyas not bothered about facilities, their demand centres citizenship
The meeting held in the in-person format was attended by all Security Council members and a large number of member states from the ASEAN.
The Security Council members discussed the current humanitarian challenges in Myanmar including in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha.
They also expressed support for the efforts of ASEAN in addressing the multifaceted challenges of Myanmar.
On the Rohingya issue, the majority of the members expressed support for the safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar, while calling upon Myanmar to improve the condition in Rakhine.
Read more: UNHCR ‘not involved’ in discussions on Bangladesh-Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya repatriation
Countries investing heavily in Myanmar should come forward to solve Rohingya crisis: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (May 20, 2023) urged countries, who are heavily investing in Myanmar, to come forward for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis for their own interests and to protect their investment.
"If this problem is not resolved, you have seen many countries in the Asia Pacific and the Bay of Bengal -- their attractions have increased and made investments, enhancing trade. This investment will be hurt if there are terrorist activities," Momen told reporters after a seminar.
Diplomats World, a publication that deals with cultural, legal, regional, global security, politics, and various other issues, hosted the seminar titled "Rohingya Repatriation: A Pathway to Peace, Stability and Harmony in the Bay of Bengal Region" at a Dhaka hotel.
Momen said if the Rohingyas who are frustrated succumb to terrorism, major investments by some countries in the whole region would be at risk.
Read more: Dhaka seeks global support in pilot Rohingya repatriation project
He said peace is required in the region so that investment can sustain.
"If there is a commitment, if there is a will, they can do it. It is the commitment that is lacking on the part of our global leadership. There is lip service, unfortunately," said the Foreign Minister.
He, however, said he always remains hopeful and mentioned that both the US and China have engaged in senior-level focal point for resolving the Rohingya issue.
Moscow mission hosts reception on Independence Day
Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow hosted a reception program recently on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of Bangladesh's Great Independence and National Day at the local Four Seasons Hotel near the Kremlin city.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko was present as the chief guest. Sergey Cheremin, Minister of The Moscow City Government and Head of the Office of Foreign Economic and International Relations of Moscow, and Svetlana Zhurova, First Deputy Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Russian Parliament State Duma, were also present as special guests.Ambassadors of more than 60 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia and India, senior officials of various government and autonomous organizations, including the Russian Foreign Ministry, leading businessmen and other dignitaries attended the reception.At the reception, Ambassador Kamrul Ahsan, in his speech, mentioned how the huge Rohingya people expelled from Myanmar are putting pressure on Bangladesh's economy and environment and sought the cooperation of the international community, including Russia, to return them to their home countries.St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov also sent a special message greeting the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence Day. Documentaries on Bangladesh's development, mega projects, investment, tourism, etc. were screened at the event.
The guests were welcomed with local and Bangladeshi food.
Bangladesh elected to governing council of UNESCAP body on tech transfer
Bangladesh has been elected to the governing council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).The result of the election was declared during the closing session of the 79th Commission Session of the UNESCAP on Friday.Besides Bangladesh, China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.As a host country, India will automatically be a member of the Governing Council. The new members will serve on the Governing Council for the period of 2023 to 2026.The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) is a regional institution of the UNESCAP serving the Asia-Pacific region. The Centre is situated in New Delhi, India. The Centre works towards strengthening the national capacity of member States to nurture and promote national innovation systems and to create an enabling environment for the development and transfer of technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology represents Bangladesh at the Governing Council of APCTT. It is worthy to note that Bangladesh was elected a member of all four other regional institutions as for Statistics (SIAP), ICT (APCICT), Agriculture (CSAM) and disaster management (APDIM)) of the UNESCAP in the last year’s 78th Commission Session of UNESCAP. Now Bangladesh is the only country that is an elected member of the governing councils in all five regional institutions of UNESCAP.Through membership in the Governing councils of these institutions, Bangladesh will have the opportunity to advise on these institution’s programs of work in finance, and in other administrative matters and would likely get more focus in terms of capacity building, technology transfer, skill development in ICT, agriculture, statistics, science and technology, and disaster management.This victory is also a shred of glaring evidence that how the Asia-Pacific leadership values Bangladesh’s leadership in this largest UN organization, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok.