foreign-affairs
Momen attends first BIMSTEC ministerial; proposes emergency relief fund
Bangladesh has proposed creating an emergency relief fund for BIMSTEC that may address the contingencies resulting from public health pandemic, natural disasters and humanitarian crisis.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also flagged that BIMSTEC may create institutions similar to ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre (AHA).
For post pandemic economic recovery, he stressed on the introduction of a cross-border digital payment system, early conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, sharing best practices in nursing and tourism and recognition of university degrees.
Also read: Journalists encourage EU delegation to support sending observers regardless of what the next election may look like
Momen led the Bangladesh delegation to the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat held in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday. He was joined by delegates from the 6 other BIMSTEC member states – Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Bangladesh expressed interest that Bangladesh would be pleased to host the second Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministers also agreed to hold a special Foreign Ministers’ Retreat every year on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York.
Also read: Enhancing growth, promoting prosperity: BIMSTEC retreat held in Bangkok
Momen also highlighted the importance of raising common voices from BIMSTEC countries in combating the adverse impact of climate change in global climate change negotiations.
He underscored the need of maintaining peace and stability in the BIMSTEC region for sustainability of growth and development.
In this context, Momen called upon the BIMSTEC members for creating an enabling environment that would lead to the repatriation of internally displaced Myanmar nationals currently sheltered in Bangladesh.
He drew the attention of the members in taking a shared position against cross border terrorism, wiping out the menace of drug and human trafficking etc.
Also read: Momen courts ASEAN for dialogue partner status to Bangladesh
Momen shared views on mechanisms for energy security, food security, cyber security in the BIMSTEC region.
After the retreat, the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers jointly met Thai premier Prayut Chan-o-Cha at the Government House in Bangkok.
On the sideline of the retreat, Momen had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from India, Thailand, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
This is the first ever BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat.
The Retreat was attended by all the Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC Member States and the Secretary General of BIMSTEC.
Also read: PM Hasina formally invited to attend BRICS Summit in South Africa
The Foreign Ministers had an in-depth discussion on strengthening the BIMSTEC mechanism as well as exchanged views on regional and global issues of common concern.
While discussing BIMSTEC related issues, they focused on defining the concept of external partners, establishing the Eminent Persons’ Group and holding a BIMSTEC Foreign Ministerial retreat on a regular basis.
The Foreign Minister recalled with great pleasure that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is one of the founding leaders who contributed in establishing BIMSTEC in 1996.
Bangladesh supports the concept of external partnership, the establishment of Eminent Persons’ group and hosting of BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.
Also read: PM to attend BIMSTEC Summit later this year in Thailand
Journalists encourage EU delegation to support sending observers regardless of what the next election may look like
The Election Exploratory Mission (ExM) from the European Union (EU) today wanted to know from reporters about professional challenges the media might face while covering the next general election in Bangladesh.
The issue of media freedom came up for discussion during interactions with a small group of senior reporters at the EU embassy in Dhaka.
The reporters shared their experiences in covering elections in the past and challenges that journalists in remote areas might face.
During the discussion, a reporter wanted to know why Jamaat was invited for discussion considering the European Parliament in a resolution in 2014 urged BNP to “cut ties” with Jamaat and said that political parties associated with “terrorist acts” should be banned.
Read:EU wants free, fair and peaceful election—also a commitment of AL: Quader
Before the meeting with reporters, the EU delegation members had a separate meeting with four editors at the same venue.
The reporters encouraged the delegation to support sending observers regardless of what the next election may look like.
The daily Jugantor Chief of Correspondents and former DCAB President Masud Karim, Channel i special correspondent Pantho Rahman, Jamuna Television special correspondent Mahfuz Mishu, UNB special correspondent AKM Moinuddin and Channel 24 senior reporter Morshed Hassib Hasan were present at the meeting.
The visiting delegation began their activities in Bangladesh on July 2 to assess the situation on the ground ahead of the country’s upcoming national election.
Delegation leader Riccardo Chelleri and his team held over 70 meetings so far.
Read: EU delegation sits with succession of civil society members, notes their concerns
The EU delegation will be in Bangladesh till July 23 to assess the situation.
A technical team of the mission will further discuss the relevant issues with the Election Commission (EC) on July 18,19.
The main objective of the Election Exploratory Mission is to assess the “advisability, usefulness and feasibility” of a possible EU Election Observation Mission for the upcoming parliamentary election, according to the EU Mission in Dhaka.
Read: Free, fair, credible election unlikely under incumbent govt: AB Party tells EU Mission
President Shahabuddin seeks continued Swiss support on Rohingya repatriation
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday urged Switzerland to continue its support to Bangladesh in its efforts to send Rohingyas back to their homeland Myanmar.
He said this when newly appointed Swiss ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Siegfried Renggli presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban, President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told reporters.
Read: Impart advanced ICT training to scouts: President Shahabuddin urges leaders of the movement
Welcoming the new ambassador, the president said that Switzerland is making an important contribution to Bangladesh's socio-economic development and its investment here.
He recalled Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s official visit to Switzerland in 1972, saying that Bangabandhu wanted to make Bangladesh Switzerland of the East.
Read: Bangladesh determined to hold free and fair election: President
Shahabuddin mentioned about Swiss support and cooperation as a development partner of Bangladesh in the last five years. He said the bi-lateral relations between the two countries will now turn to trade, investment and economic partnership.
He also expressed the hope that in the coming days the relations between the two countries will reach new heights in various fields including investment.
The Swiss ambassador sought co-operation of the President in carrying out his assignments in Bangladesh.
Enhancing growth, promoting prosperity: BIMSTEC retreat held in Bangkok
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday attended a retreat in Bangkok, Thailand which was hosted by the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to exchange views on regional issues as well as ways to move the 25-year-old organisation forward.
The BIMSTEC foreign ministers had an “open and forward looking” discussion among the colleagues.
“Just concluded a productive BIMSTEC Retreat in Bangkok,” Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.
He said they focused on strengthening resilience and coordination among BIMSTEC members, reflecting the challenges of today.
“Explored new facets and activities to enter new areas of cooperation. Food, health and energy security are common concerns. Technology solutions can be subject for both collaboration and exchange of best practices. Our common objective is to enhance growth and promote prosperity,” said the Indian foreign minister, adding that they agreed to meet more frequently to take these ideas further.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Momen and other visiting BIMSTEC foreign ministers are likely to jointly meet Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-Cha jointly.
During his visit, Momen is likely to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the BIMSTEC member states on the sideline of the retreat.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the next BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok later this year.
The sixth BIMSTEC Summit will be held in November 2023 in Bangkok, in which Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of the regional grouping.
Foreign Minister Momen is scheduled to return home on July 18, said an official.
Earlier, Momen visited Jakarta, Indonesia, from July 12 and attended the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Momen to attend BIMSTEC foreign ministers’ retreat in Bangkok Monday
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will attend retreat in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday which will be hosted by Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to exchange views on regional issues as well as ways to move the 25-year old organisation forward.
The Foreign Minister and other visiting BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers are likely to Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-Cha jointly.
Read: Bangladesh, other BIMSTEC members must work together to address post-LDC challenges: Shahriar Alam
During his visit, the Foreign Minister is likely to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the BIMSTEC Member States on the sideline of the retreat.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the next BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand later this year.
Read: PM to attend BIMSTEC Summit later this year in Thailand
The sixth BIMSTEC Summit will be held in November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, in which Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of the regional grouping.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to return home on July 18, said an official.
Earlier, Momen visited Jakarta, Indonesia from July 12 and attended the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Read more: DCCI business delegation leaves Dhaka to join BIMSTEC Business Conclave’ in Kolkata
Denmark wants Bangladesh to join alliance against fossil fuels
Denmark has urged Bangladesh to join the ‘Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA)’- an initiative jointly led by Denmark and Costa Rica, and assured of cooperation from the two countries in food, agriculture and ICT sectors.
Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen paid her farewell call on Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Sunday at the State Guest House-Padma and made the request.
The Ambassador expected Bangladesh’s success in green energy transition, particularly focusing on offshore wind energy generation in coastal area with the Danish investment and expertise, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Secretary thanked the Danish Ambassador for her relentless efforts in taking the BD-Denmark relations to a new height during her five-year-long tenure in Dhaka.
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
He thanked the Ambassador for the Danish political support to the Rohingya crisis and urged for more support of the international community towards resolving the crisis at an early date, particularly early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, to their homeland Myanmar.
Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to tackling climate change, green transition and sustainable infrastructure development.
The Danish Ambassador expressed her whole-hearted gratitude for receiving all-out support of the Bangladesh govt. during her tour of duty.
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark sign Tk 474 crore framework agreement to implement dev programme
She underlined the issues of Rohingya crisis and war in Ukraine and hoped for solution of the crises at an early date with meaningful intervention of the global community.
The Foreign Secretary hosted a lunch in honour of the departing Ambassador at the end of the meeting and handed over a gift as memento.
Read more: Bangladesh Missions in Australia, Denmark & Switzerland get new envoys
EU delegation sits with succession of civil society members, notes their concerns
The Election Exploratory Mission (ExM) from the European Union (EU) on Sunday held meetings with civil society members as part of their series of meetings to assess the situation ahead of the next parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Badiul Alam Majumdar of SHUJAN (Citizens for Good Governance) said the entire electoral process should be transparent and free from any manipulation.
He said there should be credible alternative candidates so that voters can pick their choice, and they need to be allowed to cast their votes without any fear. Majumdar also said the vote counting should be done accurately.
Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Syeda Rizwana Hasan told reporters that she was asked about the independence of the judiciary and the legal framework as far as elections are concerned.
She said they asked how the election law violators would be brought to justice.
CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun said the EU, a major development partner of Bangladesh and the largest export market, wants a strong democratic process in Bangladesh to sustain the development that it has achieved so far. They wanted to know how a free, fair, peaceful election goal can be held.
Read: Free, fair, credible election unlikely under incumbent govt: AB Party tells EU Mission
Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) said the international community is much interested about the next election and the overall situation remains very positive now.
Chief Executive Officer of the election observation group “Brotee” Sharmeen Murshid and Chairman of Jatiya Nirbachon Parjabekkhon Parishad (Janipop) Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah also held meetings with the EU delegation.
On July 15, the delegation held meetings with major political parties.
The visiting delegation began their activities in Bangladesh last week to assess the situation on the ground ahead of the country’s upcoming national election. Delegation leader Riccardo Chelleri and his team held a number of meetings so far including with diplomats stationed in Dhaka. The EU delegation will be in Bangladesh till July 23 to assess the situation.
A technical team of the mission will further discuss the relevant issues with the EC on July 18,19.
The main objective of the Election Exploratory Mission is to assess the “advisability, usefulness and feasibility” of a possible EU Election Observation Mission for the upcoming parliamentary election, according to the EU Mission in Dhaka.
Read: EU wants free, fair and peaceful election—also a commitment of AL: Quader
European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley laid emphasis on peaceful, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh, as an Election Exploratory Mission (ExM) from the bloc continued holding meetings with various actors, including political parties, civil society groups and security forces.
"We very much encourage peaceful, free, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh as a friend and partner of Bangladesh," Whiteley told reporters, after a meeting with Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader recently.
"You know they are here to decide and recommend whether the EU should deploy a full election observation mission. So, it is a good opportunity to speak with the Minister about this and the EU's support," said the EU envoy, adding that they had open discussions on relevant issues.
Read more: Not possible to go to polls under AL: BNP tells EU delegation
International community urged to make adequate financial contributions for Rohingyas
The Human Rights Council has called upon the international community to continue to make adequate financial contributions for the forcibly displaced Rohingya temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh to avoid the irreversibility of the devastating impact of measures such as the ration reductions by the World Food Programme until the time that they return to Rakhine State
It also called upon States and other stakeholders that have not yet contributed to burden- and responsibility-sharing to do so, with a view to broadening the support base, in a spirit of international solidarity and cooperation, and acknowledges and expresses appreciation for the efforts of the government of Bangladesh to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced Rohingya Muslims and other minorities thus far.
Also read: UN Human Rights Council calls for early repatriation of Rohingyas by creating conducive environment
This was mentioned in a resolution on Rohingyas which was adopted by consensus at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva recently.
The resolution titled "Human Rights Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities of Myanmar" was tabled by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This was adopted without a vote after an intense negotiation where the Bangladesh delegation made significant contributions.
Also read: US 'maintaining pressure' on Myanmar’s military regime to end Rohingya crisis
The Council urged humanitarian partners to come forward to reduce the gap between the pledged amount and the received amount, notably under the joint response plan for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, and prioritize sectors covering basic necessities such as food, health, site management and shelter as part of their contributions.
It called upon United Nations agencies and regional bodies to conduct extended humanitarian operations, and for full humanitarian access to be granted to all humanitarian actors in Rakhine State, according to the text of the resolution.
Also read: MSF calls for urgent response to scabies outbreak in Rohingya refugee camps
The Council urged the relevant United Nations bodies to continue to make concrete recommendations for action to resolve the humanitarian crisis, promoting the “safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable” return of Rohingya refugees and forcibly displaced persons and ensuring accountability for those responsible for mass atrocities and human rights violations and abuses in this regard.
The Council decided to remain seized of the matter on the basis of, inter alia, the reports of relevant United Nations mechanisms.
It expressed deep concern that prolonged uncertainty over the repatriation has been leading Rohingya Muslims temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh to despair, and may be having spillover effects on regional peace and stability.
Also read: US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya, Donald Lu visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar
The Council encouraged the international community, in the true spirit of interdependence and equal burden- and responsibility-sharing, to continue to assist Bangladesh in the provision of humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced Rohingya Muslims and other minorities until their return to Myanmar.
It also urged the international community to assist Myanmar in the provision of humanitarian assistance to all affected persons of all communities displaced internally in Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, taking into account the vulnerable situation of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
Also read: ICC appoints head of team to investigate Rohingya case
Momen courts ASEAN for dialogue partner status to Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the ASEAN member states to extend active support to Bangladesh’s candidacy for attaining Sectoral Dialogue Partner status of the regional bloc by the time of their next summit
He made the call while speaking at the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday.
Also read: MPs urge ASEAN to put strong pressure on Myanmar
Momen also sought stronger and more effective support of ASEAN leaders and ARF member States to ensure safe, sustainable, dignified and voluntary return of Rohingyas to their homeland, according the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saturday night.
Appreciating this year's theme, “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, he acknowledged strong and effective commitment of ASEAN for strengthening regionalism and multilateralism as well as ASEAN centrality in furthering confidence building through constructive dialogue.
While presenting an overview of Bangladesh's socio-economic development over the last decade, Momen highlighted effective COVID management, Disaster Risk Reduction, investment in sustainable infrastructure, contribution in UN peace keeping operation.
Also read: ASEAN Dhaka Committee celebrates 55th ASEAN Day
He also cited Indo-Pacific Outlook (IPO) of Bangladesh emphasizing the peace-centric foreign policy of Bangladesh, based on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dictum ‘friendship to all, malice towards none.’
Humanity’s future depends on boundless energy, ideas, contributions of young people: Guterres
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the need to dramatically scale-up investment in education and training systems and technologies worldwide so teachers can provide inclusive and flexible learning opportunities for young people no matter where they live.
"Humanity’s future depends on the boundless energy, ideas and contributions of young people," he said in a message marking World Youth Skills Day
“Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future.”
Read: Eliminate legal barriers to women owning land: UN chief
On this day, and every day, the UN chief said, "Let’s stand with teachers as they, in turn, help young people gain the education and skills required to shape a better, more sustainable future for us all."
In every corner of the world, young people face a whirlwind of change — technological advancements, a rapidly changing job market, demographic shifts, climate challenges, and learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equipping young people with quality education, training and skills is essential, Guterres said.
"This World Youth Skills Day reminds us that teachers stand at the forefront of this great global effort," he said.
Read: UN chief implicitly criticizes Cambodia's upcoming elections after top opposition party ban
The UN chief said they must ensure that teachers gain the education and professional development opportunities they need as they help young people make the transition from school to the workplace.
He recently launched the High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession to provide recommendations to help achieve this.