foreign-affairs
Bangladesh eliminates lymphatic filariasis
In a boost to efforts to end neglected tropical diseases in WHO South-East Asia Region, Bangladesh has eliminated lymphatic filariasis, says the World Health Organization on Saturday.
This is a disease that cripples and has significant social and economic impact on the affected communities.
“Bangladesh’s achievement is commendable and follows strong political commitment, tireless efforts by health authorities, partners and the communities. It is also a result of innovative approaches and meticulous implementation of elimination strategies,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, who has been prioritizing ending neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the Region as one of the flagship programs.
Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.
The infection is usually acquired in childhood with painful and disfiguring visible manifestations appearing much later in life, often in the form of enlargement of body parts causing pain, severe disability, and associated stigma.
Lymphatic filariasis was a major public health problem in Bangladesh.
In 2001 the country established its national programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis which was endemic in 19 of the 64 districts. Between 2001 and 2015, high coverage mass drug administration campaigns were rolled out in all endemic districts.
Alongside, systematic and high-quality transmission assessment surveys were carried out by well-trained programme personnel between 2011 and 2021.
The Regional Director also complimented Bangladesh for its morbidity management and disability prevention programme which has been regularly updating data from the endemic districts. Using this database, over 31,000 patients have been trained on self-care and provided kits to manage their disease condition and improve quality of life.
For lymphatic filariasis elimination, WHO strategy is based on two key components – first, stopping spread of infection through large-scale annual treatment of entire populations at risk in an area or region where transmission is present; and second, alleviating the suffering caused by lymphatic filariasis through increased disease management and disability prevention measures.
As part of the validation process, Bangladesh submitted a dossier to WHO which was reviewed by a Regional Dossier Review Group.
After examining the dossier, the Regional Dossier Review Group recommended Bangladesh for validation of elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.
“Strong partnership, several innovative operational research projects in surveillance methodologies and well-trained programme personnel have been key to the country’s success and will continue to be critical for the country to sustain its status of lymphatic filariasis elimination,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
Bangladesh’s national strategic plan 2018-2025 focuses on post-validation surveillance strategy and response measures to prevent recrudescence of infection and progress towards elimination of transmission.
Bangladesh is the fourth country in WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem after Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
In 2014, Dr Khetrapal Singh identified ending neglected tropical diseases as one of her flagship priorities.
Besides lymphatic filariasis, there has been successes against other neglected tropical diseases. India has been certified for ending yaws and Nepal and Myanmar have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
“Neglected tropical diseases affect the marginalized and the vulnerable communities, aggravating their sufferings manifold. With low-cost and highly effective drugs and treatments we must end NTDs.
WHO remains committed to support efforts to eliminate these diseases to achieve a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future for everyone, everywhere,” the Regional Director said.
Bangladesh wants to walk together with countries in the region by resolving issues: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Saturday said Bangladesh wants to walk together with the countries in the region by resolving the issues through discussion and joint efforts.
He also laid emphasis on sharing good practices among partner countries as Bangladesh seeks cooperation in the region.
The State Minister was talking to reporters after three separate bilateral meetings with Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Assistant Minister of UAE on the sidelines of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka.
He said the leaders who are participating in the Indian Ocean Conference have highly appreciated Bangladesh’s progress and its continued efforts for establishing regional peace.
Shahriar said Bangladesh has emerged as 35th largest economy in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said Bangladesh seeks support from its partners in terms of extension of duty free benefits till 2029.
Responding to a question, the State Minister said the government is looking into the agreements and signed joint communique with Japan during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit there so that follow up is done quickly on the targets.
US wants to provide $6mn for maritime security initiatives, partnering with Bangladesh and others
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said they are seeking to provide $6 million, working with the US Congress, for regional maritime security initiatives — partnering with Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
This funding will bolster interdiction and law enforcement capacity in the Indian Ocean’s South Asian sub-region, she said.
"Partnership is critical to maritime security, and I want to acknowledge India’s leadership in this space… specifically in the fields of anti-piracy, EEZ monitoring, and disaster response," Sherman said today virtually during a session at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Dhaka.
Fair Group unveils new horizons for Bhutan-Bangladesh cooperation: Bhutanese FM
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Dr Tandi Dorji of Bhutan on Friday said that Fair Group has opened new horizons of cooperation between the two countries by providing great cooperation in skill development of Bhutanese youth.
He urged Fair Group to continue this in the future and expand into various areas including investment and trade.
On the second day of his five-day official visit to Bangladesh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan came to a courtesy meeting with Fair Group Chairman Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub at his Banani office.
Dr Dorji remembered his seven years MBBS study life at Mymensingh Medical College. He also said that it is his second home.
Ambassador Rinchen Kuentsyl and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan and Director of the Fair Group Mutassim Daiaan were present.
Dr Dorji said that, Bhutan is building a special economic zone on 2500 acres of land in its southern part, 70 km away from Bangladesh. Special legislation and all kinds of infrastructural facilities have been ensured to protect the interests of investors.
He urged the Fair Group to invest in this special economic zone.
Responding positively to this request, Fair Group Chairman Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub said, "We will check the possibility of investment there. I will definitely invest in Bhutan if it is suitable from all sides.”
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan Kinley Tshising, Kencho Thinley, Jigdrel Y Tshising and Fair Group Advisor N M Zeaul Alam, Chief Marketing Officer Mohammad Mesbah Uddin, Head of Business Strategy Riyan Rahman and Head of Communications Hasnain Khurshed were present at the time.
Cyclone Mocha: IOM prepares Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar
Nearly a million Rohingya refugees in the Cox’s Bazar camps are bracing for Cyclone Mocha, which is expected to hit the region by Sunday (May 14).
To help the refugees and local host communities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is strengthening camp infrastructure, preparing for medical emergencies, and supporting volunteers in cyclone preparedness.
“We have IOM teams and equipment ready to assist government and other humanitarian organizations in clearing the debris to keep key access routes accessible,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh.
Cox’s Bazar is one of the most disaster-prone districts in Bangladesh, vulnerable to cyclones, floods, landslides, and other natural hazards that can cause loss of life and damage vital infrastructure in the camps. The latest cyclone also comes as the camps are still recovering from recent devastating fires that left around 20,000 refugees displaced.
IOM and its partners have trained volunteers and equipped health centres with mass casualty kits, mobile medical teams, and ambulances to handle medical emergencies during natural disasters. Over 2,000 volunteers have been trained to respond to cyclones, and 45 multi-purpose cyclone shelters have been made available for emergency evacuation.
“We have trained 100 refugee volunteers in each camp on cyclone preparedness and the flag warning system in 17 IOM-managed camps,” said Nihan Erdogan, IOM Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, based in Cox’s Bazar. “Emergency shelter materials and hygiene kits are readily available, and personal protective gear has been provided to all volunteers in IOM-managed camps.”
Refugee volunteers also disseminate awareness-raising messages to the community and respond to community requests around the clock.
“We have to alert and assist our fellow community members so they are prepared to respond and protect themselves and others should the weather conditions worsen when the cyclone reaches our camps,” said one of the refugee volunteers.
Extreme weather hazards will occur more frequently due to climate change in the years ahead. The linkages between climate change, migration and displacement are increasingly pressing worldwide. To avert, mitigate and address displacement linked to climate disasters and strengthen people’s resilience, IOM calls on governments to implement sustainable climate adaptation, preparedness and disaster risk reduction measures.
Last year, the camps escaped devastation from the Bay of Bengal cyclone Sitrang, which killed 35 people, displaced over 20,000, and caused over USD 35 million in damages in other parts of the country.
Focus on economic cooperation, deescalate security threats: Experts
Foreign affairs analysts have sought efforts to focus on economic cooperation and de-escalation of security threats in the Indian Ocean region which is increasingly becoming an area of strategic competition among the big powers.
Transparency and feasibility for cooperation among the regional countries are the fundamentals that can lead to peace and prosperity, they observed.
The experts made the observation at the sixth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) hosted by India Foundation and the foreign ministries of Bangladesh and India.
More than 150 representatives, including President of Mauritius and ministers from 25 countries are attending the two-day event.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Conference on Friday evening.
Talking to reporters before the formal inauguration, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh does not have any military ambition.
“We want to improve the lives of our people, peace and stability. Our Indo-Pacific Outlook also has the similar vision as well as having friendly relationship with others,” he said.
Indian Ocean is home to one third of the global population and more than half the world’s oil transits the region.
Read more: A seamless transition into an Indo-Pacific is to our collective advantage: Jaishankar
Almost a quarter of the largest container ports are located in this region, with 15 percent of the global fisheries stock are there. By 2025, the region should account for 20 percent of the world GDP.
The foreign policy analysts say the region is becoming much more complex and contested.
Analysts said this is the reality when Indian Ocean faces some of the major challenges including environmental security, human and drug smuggling, while the immense potentials of blue economy largely remain untapped.
Sinderpal Singh, senior fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies of Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said one key way to regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean region is establishing economic corporation and connectivity.
“You can do it one, you can do it the other. This forms habits of cooperation, while security cooperation is normally zero sum,” he said at a session on ‘rise of a peaceful Indo-Pacific for a resilient global future’.
It may not be the case that all the Indian Ocean states come together for a large alliance, but a few countries can work together on certain issues, for example, environment, which will be very useful, he suggested.
Singh suggested that China has been making large-scale investments in this region, and as global power, the US should also make more investments here. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework can be quite effective.
He said the principle that every state is equal, has sovereignty and maintains international law must be maintained by all.
Pankaj Saran, convenor of Indian think tank Centre for Research on Strategic and Security Studies, said peace and prosperity require some basic things that include equal security for all, trust, openness and transparency.
Dr David Brewster, senior research fellow of National Security College at the Australian National University, said there needs to be effective reginal arrangement in the India Ocean region for cooperation and collaboration on the issues, including environmental security, flourishing blue economy etc.
He suggested that small and middle powers of the region forge cooperation and show paths for others to follow.
Bangladesh’s former foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said instability in Myanmar and Rohingya crisis are working as blockages behind improving regional connectivity.
“Ambiguity on Rohingya crisis is not an option,” he said, adding that this problem can be a security issue for the whole region.
A seamless transition into an Indo-Pacific is to our collective advantage: Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said they believe that a seamless transition into an Indo-Pacific is to their collective advantage.
He reiterated India’s commitment to the well-being and progress of all nations of the Indian Ocean.
"We have dedicated bodies like the Indian Ocean Rim Association or the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, with their specific mandates. We expand on that belief through the Neighbourhood First policy, the SAGAR outlook and our approach to the extended neighbourhood," Jaishankar said while speaking at the inaugural session of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka on Friday evening.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the conference.
Jaishankar appreciated the personal support and encouragement extended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, reflected in her presence amongst them.
President of Mauritius and the Vice-President of Maldives, Ministers, notable dignitaries, scholars and experts joined the event.
Referring to Bangladesh which released its Indo-Pacific Outlook on 24 April 2023, Jaishankar said, "By doing so, Bangladesh joined a number of countries ranging from ASEAN and East Asia to Europe and North America in articulating its thinking on this important subject."
He said Indo-Pacific is a reality and becoming more so with each passing day.
"I am truly glad that Bangladesh has joined the company of those who have done so," Jaishankar said.
He particularly note from the 4 Guiding Principles and the 15 Objectives of Bangladesh’s outlook, its respect for the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
It is essential for the credibility of the global order that such foundational regimes are respected and scrupulously observed by all signatories, said the Indian Minister.
He said the views of Bangladesh are particularly noteworthy because of its standing as a progressive and successful developing economy that is making its fullest contribution to regional growth and prosperity.
Jaishankar said, "The world is understandably seized of the larger domain of the Indo-Pacific, we should not underplay the issues and challenges of one of its core constituents – the nations of the Indian Ocean."
He many nations of the Indian Ocean still address developmental challenges that may no longer be relevant in the Pacific.
"So, even while impressing the essential coherence of the Indo-Pacific, I would urge that we also focus determinedly on the Indian Ocean nations and their challenges," he said.
He said, "When nations disregard their legal obligations or violate long-standing agreements, as we have seen, the damage to trust and confidence is immense. It is therefore essential that all of us take the long view of our cooperation, rather than a tactical one of our interests."
He said many of them in the region are today confronting the consequences of their past choices. "This is time to reflect and reform, not one to repeat and reiterate."
Jaishankar said connectivity is a particularly crucial issue for all of them.
Collectively, he said, the more they work on facilitating smooth and effective connectivity, the better off they all are.
"And obviously, we need to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity while doing so. Let me therefore underline that from India’s perspective, efficient and effective connectivity to ASEAN in particular will be a game-changer. We accord this the utmost priority," Jaishankar said.
He said they must put in place the bilateral, plurilateral and regional tools and mechanisms to achieve their ends.
"It would mean exchanging information on white shipping, cooperating on coastal surveillance or collaborating on maritime domain awareness," he said, adding thst diplomacy cannot rest content merely by articulating positions; it equally needs practical action to back it up.
There are some global challenges that also merit regional considerations, Jaishankar said.
"Chief among them are climate action and counter-terrorism. The universality of these concerns is by now well recognized. It is essential that our conversations aim to encourage common positions," he said.
The Indian Minister said they must also be conscious of the threats to social fabric posed by extremism and fundamentalism taking advantage of democratic openness. "The costs of not doing so are also starkly apparent to all of us today."
Nations of the Indian Ocean are among those who lead the rise of Asia and the re-emergence of Africa, he said.
These nations have the responsibility today of shaping the narrative, shaping it about values, practices and correctness, Jaishankar mentioned.
"It is essential that their culture, history and traditions are presented to the world. If we are to compare the relative weight of littorals, that of the Indian Ocean still has to play catch-up. Our challenge, indeed our responsibility, is to hasten that process," he added.
Stability of littorals tops agenda of Indian Ocean countries conference
The stability of the countries of the Indian Ocean region, along with communication, crisis management, and aiding others during disasters will be discussed in the Conference of Indian Ocean Regional Countries.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said while talking to reporters on Friday.
Representatives from 25 countries are expected to participate in today’s event, he said.
Both public and private level participation is expected at tomorrow's event, which will include civil society members, students, and professionals.
“The aim of the event is to determine the larger agenda and discuss how to work together to deal with issues facing the region,” he said.
In response to a question about Bangladesh's stance towards China, he said that China has been invited to the event and is not excluded.
He added that Bangladesh's policy towards the crisis in the region is determined by the principle of maintaining friendship with all countries and not having enmity towards anyone.
There are no plans for military ambition or to become a regional power, and Prime Minister Hasina's priority is to improve the lives of her people, he said.
President of Mauritius lauds Bangladesh's progress, role of Bangladeshi workers
President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun has highly lauded the remarkable socio-economic progress that Bangladesh has achieved in the past areas.
Citing Mauritius as a multi-ethnic society, he expressed happiness over the role of Bangladeshi workers in Mauritius.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam met the President of Mauritius on Friday, who is currently in Dhaka on a three-day visit.
He is also attending the 6th Indian Ocean Conference 2023.
Dhaka and Colombo keen to boost maritime cooperation
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are discussing ways to strengthen ties in the maritime sector, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday.
He said this after bilateral talks with Sri Lankan Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva at Bangladesh Secretariat here.
They discussed the signing of a coastal shipping agreement between the two countries. The deal is likely to be finalised in the next secretary-level meeting, said Khalid.
He announced that the next ministerial-level meeting will take place in Colombo, where they plan to finalize maritime sector issues.
The two countries were set to hold a secretary-level meeting in February, but it was postponed due to problems in Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lankan businessmen have shown interest in increasing their investment in Bangladesh, particularly in the Payra port, and a delegation will visit the port,” he said.
“The two countries have friendly relations, with no political issues to hinder their progress,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tharaka Balasuriya discussed the blue economy during the meeting, which will be the subject of further discussions.
De Silva praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership, describing her as a leader not only of Bangladesh but also of South Asia.
He discussed increasing shipping traffic between the Chattogram and Colombo ports and providing logistical support to Colombo Port.
“The increased port space will allow Bangladeshi ships to have more space to operate,” he said.
“Sri Lankan businessmen have invested USD 4.5 billion in various sectors of Bangladesh, including the ready-made garment sector, and are keen to invest more due to the country's stable political situation. The Sri Lankan private sector is ready to invest in Chattagram and Payra ports, creating a new paradigm of Sri Lankan businessmen investing in Bangladesh,” he said.
“Despite being two small countries in the Indian Ocean region, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka hold significant importance due to their geography. We are grateful to Bangladesh because many export products go through Colombo port. We want to increase it further. It saves Bangladesh time and money," said the Sri Lankan minister.
The Sri Lankan delegation here to attend the Conference of Indian Ocean Regional Countries in Dhaka.
The bilateral meeting was attended by officials, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Mustafa Kamal , State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Tharaka Balasuriya; Chittagong Port Chairman, Rear Admiral M. Sohail, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, Prof. Shudharshan Seneviratne and others.