Foreign-Affairs
Dhaka: Inadequate efforts for climate migrants may lead to global security risk
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the international community is not doing enough for millions of ‘climate migrants’ who often get subjected to various forms of security risks and exploitations.
“Climate-induced displacement could lead to a global security risk in today’s interconnected world,” Momen warned while speaking at a roundtable on “Environment of Peace: Securing a just and peaceful transition in a new era of risk.”
He emphasized on the significance of creating global awareness on the climate-security nexus and an enforcement mechanism to address the challenges.
The event was organized by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on the sidelines of the Stokholm+50 international meeting on Friday.
Momen stressed that the international community should share the burden of climate migrants’ rehabilitation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
The Foreign Minister also held a bilateral meeting with the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Matilda Ernkrans and discussed how to enhance cooperation on climate change, education and other areas.
He urged the Swedish Minister to put pressure on Myanmar for bringing back the forcibly displaced Rohingyas with safety and dignity.
READ: Dhaka calls for more IOM role in helping climate migrants
Momen also underlined that the business-as-usual approach with Myanmar will not make any progress.
President, PM greet Queen Elizabeth II on Platinum Jubilee
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have conveyed their heartfelt felicitations and warmest greetings on the joyous occasion of the Platinum Jubilee celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year services to the UK, her Realms and the Commonwealth.
In separate messages sent on Thursday, both the President and the Prime Minister have wished the Queen’s good health, happiness, and long life, and the continued peace, progress and prosperity to the friendly people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and the Commonwealth.
Also read: Commonwealth missions in Dhaka celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign
President Hamid in his message said, “I convey my heartiest congratulations and warmest greetings on this auspicious occasion of Platinum Jubilee of Queen's accession to the Throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland, and the glorious seventy years of your service and dedication to your nation."
"On your Platinum Jubilee, I renew my pledge to work closely to the further deepening and widening of the very special bonds of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.”
Prime Minister Hasina in her message said: “On behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I extend to Your Majesty our heartfelt felicitations and warmest greetings on the very joyous occasion of the Platinum Jubilee marking your 70th Anniversary of accession to the throne of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
She paid her special tribute on this historic occasion for the exemplary grace, duty, and service the Queen served in her nation, the Realms, and the Commonwealth during the past seven decades.
Also read:Rotary in Bangladesh marks Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on throne
"Your extraordinary leadership and legacy as the longest-reigning Monarch of the world and the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations continue to inspire us and remain as a symbol of our strength and unity," said the Prime Minister.
"It is with great esteem and affection that we in Bangladesh, as well as our vibrant British-Bangladeshi Diaspora, cherish Your Majesty's enduring contributions over the past fifty-one years in deepening the long-standing friendship between our two Nations."
The PM said, "The people of Bangladesh joined me to convey on this momentous year our very best wishes and prayers for Your Majesty's continued good health, happiness, and long life, and the friendly people of the United Kingdom the peace, progress, and prosperity.”
Commonwealth missions in Dhaka celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign
The British High Commission, High Commission of Canada, and High Commission of India in Dhaka were covered in dazzling royal purple lights from 6pm to 9pm Thursday to mark Queen Elizabeth II's unprecedented 70 years on the throne.
The queen – the world's third-longest serving monarch in recorded history – becomes the first British monarch to celebrate an anniversary billed as platinum jubilee, marking 70 years of her service to the people of the UK, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
Also read:Rotary in Bangladesh marks Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on throne
As the head of the Commonwealth, she has dedicated herself to the service of its people, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe.
To mark the jubilee, over 2,500 public events are happening in the UK this weekend.
In Bangladesh, the memorable occasion was marked at the queen's birthday party, hosted on May 25 under the theme "empowering girls to change their world," where a significant portion of the sponsorship raised for the event was used to support girls' education across Bangladesh through the British Council's EDGE Programme.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said the queen has been a dedicated servant of the UK, the Realms and the Commonwealth and it is wonderful that "we can celebrate her service by lighting up our buildings on her birthday."
"With over 260 official visits overseas, including to Bangladesh in 1983, the queen has been the UK's foremost diplomat, affirming old relationships and building new connections, strengthening the bonds of friendship, understanding and respect between the UK, the Commonwealth, and the rest of the world," the envoy said.
Dhaka seeks renewed global actions to combat climate change
Bangladesh has sought finance and technology transfer for the developing countries like Bangladesh to help them cope with the devastating impacts of climate change.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen raised the issue while delivering country statement at the Stockholm+50 international meeting, held in Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Speaking at the plenary session of the meeting, Momen said that the Stockholm+50 platform has offered a unique opportunity to rethink the critical role of the global community for a resilient, healthy and prosperous planet for all.
He emphasized on Bangladesh government’s climate actions and initiatives to save the planet including ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ and adoption of ‘Planetary Emergency’ resolution by the Parliament.
Stockholm+50 international meeting is convened by the United Nations and hosted by Sweden with support from the Government of Kenya.
Under the theme “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all–our responsibility, our opportunity,” this high-level meeting commemorates the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and celebrate 50 years of global environmental action.
Around 150 members of the United Nations, members of the UN Specialized Agencies, IGOs, IFIs are taking part in this meeting.
On the sidelines of Stockholm+50, Momen attended an intergenerational roundtable on exploring how to better understand, think and act for future generations.
In the roundtable, he shared the important policies of the government to leave behind a safe, climate resilient and prosperous Bangladesh for the young generation.
Bangladesh also joined a “Ministerial Statement on Future Generations” which aims to recognize the responsibilities of the present generations towards future generations and take specific actions to leave a planet that will not be irreversibly damaged by climate change and other human activity.
He also held bilateral meetings with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
During the meeting, the UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner highly praised Bangladesh’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and her leadership role in global climate actions.
Also read: FM urges UNHCR to expedite efforts at Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar
Momen sought support from UNDP in developing early warning system for flash floods, heightening embankments to serve both the purposes of protecting floods, creating carbon sinks by planting mangroves.
The foreign minister is scheduled to meet the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and address at different leadership dialogue sessions and roundtables of the Stcokholm+50 on Friday.
Bangladesh seeks preferential market access for Bangladeshi products to US
Adviser to the Prime Minister for Private Industry and Investment Salman F. Rahman has urged the US government to provide preferential market access of Bangladeshi products to the US market.
He also sought enhanced US investment in manufacturing and technology transfer, and International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) funding for infrastructural development.
Rahman underscored business-to-business and people-to-people contacts as the key elements for enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C. on Friday.
He reiterated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s earlier offer of dedicated Economic Zone for the US investors.
Also read: Dhaka interested to receive US investment from DFC for infrastructure opportunities
The adviser also encouraged the US IT companies to invest in the Hi-Tech Parks by taking advantage of the large pool of freelancers in Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam stated that continuity of coherent policies under the visionary leadership of Hasina was the key to Bangladesh’s tremendou socioeconomic progress during the past 13 years.
They discussed the issues at the second high-level economic consultation between Bangladesh and the United States held at the US Department of State in Washington D.C on Thursday.
Dhaka interested to receive US investment from DFC for infrastructure opportunities
Bangladesh has expressed interest in receiving U.S. development finance from the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for a wide range of infrastructure opportunities.
The United States affirmed it would consider Bangladesh’s request while emphasizing the need for Bangladesh to implement the ILO road map.
Bangladesh raised the issue at the second Bangladesh-US high-level economic consultation held in Washington, DC on Thursday.
Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez co-chaired the discussion.
Also read: Washington briefs Dhaka on Indo-Pacific economic framework
The United States acknowledged the government of Bangladesh’s progress with respect to workers’ rights in Bangladesh in, for example, instituting safety reforms in the garment export sector, simplifying trade-union registration, developing a publicly accessible trade-union database, establishing helplines to receive complaints, digitalizing labor inspection and strengthening labor courts, according to US Department of State.
The US urged Bangladesh to take further steps to adhere to internationally recognized labor rights standards, including those developed by Bangladesh for its International Labor Organization (ILO) road map.
Bangladesh expressed its commitment to swiftly pass necessary reforms and fully implement the four priority areas of the ILO road map, according to a joint statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday.
Bangladesh also expressed a commitment to address other areas of labor reform including improving workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in export processing zones (EPZs) and gradually in other sectors across Bangladesh’s economy.
Both sides decided that the effective implementation and enforcement of international labor standards can help the economies of both countries recover from the pandemic, broaden economic gains, and unlock further economic potential with other trade partners by creating an attractive business environment.
Climate, Energy & Health
The US commended Bangladesh on its admirable response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangladesh has fully vaccinated over 76 percent of its population and partially vaccinated over 99 percent of the eligible population.
Bangladesh expressed gratitude for the over 64 million vaccine doses the United States donated, in partnership with COVAX, to support Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response efforts.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks Swedish support to overcome climate challenges
The US welcomed Bangladesh’s interest in the United States-developed COVID-19 Prioritized Global Action Plan for Enhanced Engagement so that Bangladesh could share best practices with the world on its effective vaccination of its population and Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN).
The US also highlighted Bangladesh’s role as a global climate leader.
Both sides emphasized the importance of delivering on and strengthening existing commitments in the lead-up to COP 27.
The US encouraged Bangladesh to consider joining the Global Methane Pledge, urge major emitting countries to do more on climate initiatives, and continue outlining adaptation priorities.
Bangladesh welcomed USAID’s climate support, including a review of embankments to assess the feasibility of nature-based solutions to protect critical biodiverse areas from degradation.
Bangladesh encouraged U.S. companies to invest in clean energy to help Bangladesh advance on its COP nationally determined contribution targets for climate.
Strengthening Business Engagement
The meeting participants celebrated the strong and growing economic partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, a highlight of our 50 years of bilateral relations.
The US highlighted Bangladesh’s evident potential to be a regional leader in digital trade and noted with appreciation steps taken by Bangladesh to adopt a transparent regulatory environment to secure broad-based foreign investment in its bourgeoning digital economy sector.
Bangladesh welcomed investment from U.S. firms in Bangladesh, including in the renewable energy, telecommunications, and agricultural and food processing sectors and to its economic zones.
Bangladesh warmly welcomed a U.S. concept of a U.S.-Bangladesh Women’s Council, which would enhance women’s employment, entrepreneurship, and access to educational opportunities in support of a more equitable future.
Both sides decided to coordinate more on implementing existing transparent commercial policies and consistent enforcement of intellectual property rights in Bangladesh.
Washington briefs Dhaka on Indo-Pacific economic framework
The United States has briefed Bangladesh on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Bangladesh welcomed additional information on the supply chain resilience and decarbonization pillars of the IPEF.
Bangladesh also sought U.S. technical assistance to sustainably explore its ocean resources and further develop its blue economy in pursuit of environmental protection and economic prosperity.
The issues came up for discussion at the second Bangladesh-US high-level economic consultation held in Washington, DC on Thursday.
Also read: Dhaka interested to receive US investment from DFC for infrastructure opportunities
Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez co-chaired the discussion.
US President Joe Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP.
Earlier on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched IPEF.
There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely.
Both countries share a common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all, according to a joint statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday after the high-level economic consultation.
Bangladesh highlighted that resumption of non-stop flights between New York City and Dhaka is a high priority.
Also read: Dhaka, Washington to discuss trade, investment, labour rights Thursday
Both sides are committed to taking the next steps to move this forward at the earliest.
Banshkhali power plant likely to start generating electricity this year
The Banshkhali power plant – SS Power I Limited – in Chattogram is expected to start producing electricity by the end of 2022.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming visited the under-construction thermal plant Thursday in coastal upazila Banshkhali.
Officials of the plant, developed as a joint venture with local partner S Alam Group, said one of the units of the under-construction 1320MW coal-fired power plant will be commissioned by December this year.
The Chinese ambassador said many such power plants are being built with the help of Chinese people and Chinese teams: "And this is the second (power plant) that is going to be completed very soon (in Bangladesh)."
"I've been to Payra, which is exactly the same size. And I'm glad that this one (Banshkhali power plant) is almost ready. Payra power plant, as far as I know, helped Bangladesh realise its 100 percent electrification target,” Ambassador Li said.
"I'm sure that this one (Banshkhali) will enhance the 100 percent electrification of this country," he added.
About the environmental concerns, Li Jiming said: "The plant is being constructed with state-of-the-art technology. I don't think there should be any environmental concern about this project."
Being built on 606 acres of land in the Gandamara union of Banshkhali since 2015, the power plant near the Bay of Bengal is one of the most significant joint ventures between Bangladesh and China.
"This project is going on smoothly, and the construction is on schedule, which is very important when it (the power plant) is put into operation, you will get profit from it," the Chinese envoy said.
Also read: Power flow set up from Payra plant to Rampal sub-station
BGMEA hopes for continued support of German govt to RMG industry
A delegation of BGMEA headed by President Faruque Hassan met with Dominik Schnichels, Director General of the Trade Department at the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Change, in Germany on Thursday.
The delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Md. Saiful Islam, Commercial Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in Berlin, included BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hosna Ara and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud.
They had discussions about various issues related to Bangladesh’s RMG industry including the current situation, opportunities and strategies to face challenges and move forward.
The issue of LDC graduation, its implications on the economy of Bangladesh and preparedness to continue journey forward in the post-LDC era was also discussed in the meeting, according to BGMEA.
They also talked about the future priorities of the industry to retain its export competitiveness in the global market in the post-LDC era.
READ: BGMEA, Wazir Advisors to conduct study on capturing non-cotton market share
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan also apprised Dominik Schnichels of the RMG industry’s paradigm shift in the area of workplace safety and impressive strides in environmental sustainability.
He also briefed him about how the apparel industry of Bangladesh showed remarkable resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic and turned around from the fallout.
The BGMEA President extended sincere thanks to the German government for the cooperation and support extended to Bangladesh during the difficult time of the pandemic.
He expressed hope that German government’s friendly support for the betterment of Bangladesh RMG industry will continue in the coming days.
Malaysia to start taking workers from Bangladesh this month: Minister
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed on Thursday said that Malaysia will start taking workers from Bangladesh this month.
He was speaking at a press briefing after a Joint Working Group meeting with Malaysian representatives at the ministry’s office in the capital’s Eskaton.
Malaysian Human Resource Minister M Saravanan and some other officials represented their country at the meeting.
Read: Bangladesh seeks Swedish support to overcome climate challenges
Replying to a question Imran said Malaysia will select both the workers and the recruiting agencies according to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries.
“There are a total of 1,520 licensed recruiting agencies in Bangladesh. According to the MoU it’s the right of Malaysia to choose recruiting agencies of their liking”, he said.
Imran added that Malaysia will continue to work towards ensuring zero migration costs. There are some expenses like passport fees and medical costs that have to be borne by the workers themselves.
“Malaysia will cover much of the costs including plane fares”, he said.
The minister also said that earlier, the cost for a single worker for going to Malaysia used to be Tk 1,60,000. This year, the amount will be much less.
Read: In May export income falls to 9-month low at $3.83 bn: EPB
“Malaysia will take stern actions if any recruiting agency breaches the rules while sending workers to the Southeast Asian nation”, added Imran.
According to him Malaysia will take a total of five lakh workers in the next five years from Bangladesh.
Secretary of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Ahmed Munirus Salehin informed that Malaysia plans to take at least two lakh workers from Bangladesh this year.
“Malaysia is interested to take security guards and domestic workers from Bangladesh in the future. Their salaries will be RM 1,500 per month per worker. Malaysia will also ensure their accommodation free of cost”, said Munirus.