Foreign-Affairs
Dhaka turns down Washington’s request to temporarily shelter people from Afghanistan
Bangladesh has rejected a request from the United States to give temporary shelter to some people from Afghanistan, saying Bangladesh is already in a big problem by giving shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingyas.
“Yes, we’ve received a request from the US. We thanked them but rejected the request,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB over phone.
Asked from which level the request came from the US, the Foreign Minister said it came from diplomatic channels both from Washington and in Dhaka.
Also read: Bangladesh to welcome new Afghan govt if it’s of people: FM
Dr Momen said the US is a friendly country to Bangladesh and conveyed the message to them that Bangladesh is already facing many problems by giving shelter to the Rohingyas.
“Don’t put us into further trouble,” he said, mentioning what Bangladesh conveyed to the US side after receiving the request.
Russia keen to enhance cooperation in energy sector
Russia is keen to enhance its cooperation in Bangladesh's energy sector, the country’s envoy said.
Russian ambassador Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy expressed the interest of his country while calling on State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office in the ministry.
Emphasizing on the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) he said both the countries will be benefited if any contract is signed in expedited manner between the two nations on the basis of mutual consent.
READ: Grant financing deal of EUR 12mn signed to support power, energy sector
He said that Russia can contribute to Bangladesh's energy security and deep-sea exploration activities.
Mentioning Russia as Bangladesh’s tested friend, Nasrul Hamid said Russia can extend its cooperation in providing training to Bangladeshi engineers.
“We can also utilise the Russian experience in our oil and gas exploration”, he added.
The state minister said the Bangladesh energy sector has been growing steadily and a safe investment environment has been created.
READ: Budget Power and energy sector allocation to increase by Tk 726 crore
Investments from Russian public and private companies will be welcomed in Bangladesh, said Nasrul Hamid.
Doraiswami recalls Bangabandhu’s close association with eminent Indian personalities
Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka has paid a solemn tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the centenary year of his birth in the form of a book-reading session.
Participants jointly read portions from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s "The Unfinished Memoirs" and then discussed the selected passages.
The session began with opening remarks of the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami in which he recalled the close association of Bangabandhu with eminent Indian personalities over decades.
READ: New Delhi mission pays homage to Bangabandhu
His speech was followed by six readings from The Unfinished Memoirs, said the High Commission on Monday.
The readings were punctuated by discussion in which the passage read were discussed briefly for their significance and appeal.
The remarkable and compelling story of Bangabandhu was movingly reflected in the excerpts selected from his Unfinished Memoirs.
Participants along with Indian High Commissioner hailed Bangabandhu’s work for its literary quality as well as its enormous relevance to modern history, politics and the story of Bangladesh.
READ: BGMEA pays homage to Bangabandhu on National Mourning Day
Participants included eminent writers and personalities from India as well as Bangladesh such as Dr. Fakrul Alam , UGC professor, Department of English, University of Dhaka and the English language translator of The Unfinished Memoirs; Dr. Rajgopal Dhar Chakraborty, Head and Professor , Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, Calcutta University, Mr. Syed Badrul Ahsan, free lancer journalist and former distinguished editor of The Asian Age and author of Seikh Mujibur Rahman, Dr. Subhayu Chattopadhay- faculty member of Visva Bharati University’s Department of History, Niaz Zaman- retired as Professor of English, University of Dhaka and Adviser at the Department of English of Independent University Bangladesh and Sadaf Saaz- poet, entrepreneur and one of the co- founders of the Dhaka Lit Fest.
Bangladesh to welcome new Afghan govt if it’s of people: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh will welcome the new government in Afghanistan if it is supported by its people.
“We believe in people’s government. We believe in a government which is liked by its people. We believe in democratic government,” he told reporters, adding that Bangladesh’s door will surely remain open if the Taliban government becomes a government supported by its people.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh believes in friendship to all countries, and Bangladesh will extend support if any government seeks support from Bangladesh.
Also read: Bangladesh observing fast evolving situation in Afghanistan: MoFA
He said Afghanistan is a friendly country to Bangladesh and is a member State of Saarc. “Bangladesh wants their (Afghanistan) development.”
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said there were some terrorists in Bangladesh who were trained in Afghanistan. “We’ve uprooted them and there’s no scope to see their reemergence here.”
China doesn’t attach any political strings to vaccine cooperation: Envoy
China has stressed that it does not attach any political strings or economic calculations to carrying out vaccine cooperation with Bangladesh and other countries.
“The only purpose of China is to make vaccines a global public good that truly serves people’s interests and help the world defeat the pandemic at an early date. To this end, China will take further actions,” said Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming on Monday.
While speaking at a signing ceremony of the local production of Sinopharm vaccines in Bangladesh, he said at least three deficits -- distribution deficit, production deficit and cooperation deficit -- need to be addressed.
The Ambassador thanked Bangladesh for respecting science, multilateralism and justice, and said he is sure that their anti-pandemic cooperation will only become stronger and more fruitful, leading to further contribution to the global fight against Covid-19.
Much-sought MoU signed for Sinopharm vaccine coproduction in Bangladesh
Bangladesh, China and Incepta Pharmaceutical Ltd on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on coproduction of Sinopharm vaccine in Bangladesh.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Abdul Muktadir, Chairman, Incepta Vaccine Limited signed the MoU from Dhaka while Li Can, President, China Sinopharm International Corporation and Zhu Jingjin, Vice President, China National Biotec Group Company Limited signed it from Beijing.
Incepta, a leading pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, will bring in bulk and bottling, labeling and finishing of the vaccine will be done locally making the price relatively very cheap.
Read: Dhaka to receive 10 lakh Sinopharm vaccine doses shortly
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming witnessed the signing of the MoU among relevant parties.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Health Secretary Lokman Hossain Miah, among others, spoke.
Bangladesh observing fast evolving situation in Afghanistan: MoFA
Bangladesh is carefully observing the fast evolving situation in Afghanistan, which Dhaka believes may have an impact on the region and beyond.
"We urge all stakeholders in Afghanistan to maintain peace and calm ensuring safety and security of all including foreign nationals," said the ministry of foreign affairs in a statement on Monday.
Bangladesh said it would be happy to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the socio-economic development of the country.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan share historical and cultural linkages. It is a fellow member of SAARC and an integral part of South Asia.
Bangladesh recalls the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of Afghanistan to Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.
"Bangladesh is committed to working with Afghanistan for fulfilling the visionary policy of the Hon’ble Prime Minister that the region must grow and prosper together for this development to be sustainable," the statement reads.
Bangladesh believes that a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan as chosen by its people is the only guarantee of stability and development in the country.
In this regard, Bangladesh considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan.
"We stand ready to share our best practices with Afghanistan in a range of areas, such as basic education, community healthcare, sanitation, human resources development, agriculture, climate change adaptation, disaster management and ICT enabled public service delivery," said the ministry.
The statement said Bangladeshi NGOs have successfully been working in Afghanistan for the last 20 years.
"Bangladesh firmly believes that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves," said the statement.
It said Bangladesh wishes to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous, responsible and contributing member of the South Asian region and the global community.
Brac pulling foreign staff, inc. 12 Bangladeshis, out of Afghanistan
Brac International is relocating its Bangladeshi staff from Afghanistan to ensure their safety and security amid fears that the Taliban will roll back two decades of gains by women and ethnic minorities while restricting the work of journalists and NGO workers.
Around 3,000 Brac staff work across ten provinces of the landlocked South Asian country. Of them, 14 expatriates including 12 Bangladeshis are being returned to their countries as panic takes hold in Afghanistan, according to the INGO.
Read: Canada joins hands with Brac to support vulnerable people
Five of them, including three Bangladeshis, were already on leave outside Afghanistan and have been asked not to return.
Three of the remaining nine Bangladeshis left Afghanistan Friday and others are scheduled to leave by August 22.
Brac has taken steps to ensure the highest security of its staff in the face of growing violence in Afghanistan since the start of the formal withdrawal of international troops, according to Brac International Executive Director Shameran Abed.
Read: BRAC partners with govt’s Covid-19 vaccination drive
The organisation has been working in Afghanistan for more than 19 years, providing services including education, healthcare, community development, Covid-19 related support, humanitarian and food security assistance.
In the past, several Brac staff were abducted in Afghanistan and were released after negotiations.
Afghans watch with growing fear as the Taliban overrun most of the country while international forces withdraw.
Read:One-third of female employed youths jobless as impact of Covid-19: BRAC
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani flew out of the country Sunday, joining thousands of his fellow citizens and foreigners in a stampede fleeing the advancing Taliban and "signalling the end of a 20-year Western experiment aimed at remaking the country."
Meanwhile, officials said Bangladesh is keeping close tabs on the fast-changing situation in Afghanistan.
UNHCR ready to support rescue work after Rohingya boat capsize
The UN refugee agency has said it remains in contact with the Rohingya communities both on Bhasan Char and in Cox's Bazar in an attempt to support the authorities in further rescue efforts following Saturday’s boat capsize in the Bay of Bengal.
On the morning of 14 August, UNHCR was alerted that a boat carrying dozens of Rohingyas had capsized close to Bhasan Char island overnight.
"We are devastated that reportedly many passengers, including women and children, have tragically drowned. The confirmed number is not yet known," said the UN agency.
Also read: Vaccination: UNHCR lauds Bangladesh for inclusion of Rohingyas
UNHCR said they are grateful to local Bangladeshi fishermen who were first on the scene and alerted Bangladeshi authorities.
The search and rescue operation is being led by the authorities, notably the Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard.
"We are seeking further information from the Government of Bangladesh at this time," said the UNHCR.
Also read: Refugee Policy Review done by UNHCR following its framework
UK scales up support to protect world’s oceans
Projects to tackle climate change and protect the world’s oceans have been given a major boost with the first £16.2 million of funding from the UK’s £500 million Blue Planet Fund.
In Bangladesh, the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) will support aquatic food production and trade, said the British High Commission in Dhaka.
It put in place the systems and ability to reduce the harmful impacts of aquatic food production, control common diseases of fish and seafood, and increase production.
Read:UK becomes Dialogue Partner of ASEAN
This in turn will also support progress towards several UN Sustainable Development Goals on poverty alleviation, zero hunger and good health and well-being, said the High Commission.
The new programme builds on an existing strong cooperation between the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, WorldFish, and the Bangladesh Government’s Department of Fisheries.
The programmes, financed from the UK’s overseas aid budget, will increase marine protection, tackle plastic pollution and the decline of global coral reefs, as well as using the UK’s world-leading expertise to help respond to marine pollution disasters such as the Xpress Pearl in Sri Lanka.
The ocean is a critical carbon sink which every year absorbs almost a third of global CO2 emissions.
Read:12 erstwhile UK-based expats recognised as Freedom Fighters
Around the globe, the ocean supports the livelihoods of one in every ten people, including some of the poorest and most vulnerable.
In the run up to the UK hosting the COP26 climate talks in November, the government is working with developing countries to take action to protect and restore our oceans.
The projects receiving funding include the launch of a new UK-led programme which will help developing countries partner with the UK’s world-leading scientists to better manage marine protected areas, and improve our understanding of the impacts of climate change and contaminants in the ocean.
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) already has work underway with UK scientists at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) providing analysis of water samples from Sri Lanka to contribute to the ongoing response to the Xpress Pearl environmental disaster in June.
Read: Dhaka conveys protests to UK over human rights report
British Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said the UK is a global leader in marine protection and will continue to advocate for ambitious climate and ocean action at COP26 this year.
“Our shared ocean is a vital resource and provides habitat to precious marine life, as well as supporting the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide.
“The Blue Planet Fund will support many developing countries on the front line of climate change to reduce poverty and improve the health of their seas.”