foreign-affairs
Mecca Route Initiative agreement to make Bangladeshi pilgrims' journey easier: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has expressed satisfaction over the signing of the Mecca Route Initiative agreement with Saudi Arabia.
The agreement will enable the pre-immigration process of Hajj in Dhaka, offering Bangladeshi pilgrims ease of travel and relief to perform Hajj in Islam's holiest cities.
Read: Dhaka, Riyadh to sign 2 deals on security cooperation, Route to Meeca initiative
During his meeting with visiting Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, the state minister also shared Bangladesh's interest in buying Arabian crude oil from Saudi Arabia.
The state minister welcomed the deputy interior minister and thanked him for undertaking this visit.
Bangladesh wins COP27 award for community-led initiative
Bangladesh and four other countries have been awarded the Local Adaptation Champions Awards at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt.
“Our winners show that community-centric and locally led solutions to the climate crisis exist, but they require support and recognition to be scaled up and to achieve the most impact,” said Professor Patrick Verkooijen, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Center on Adaptation, explaining what the award signifies.
The award was given to the Rangamati Hill District Council initiative, where it collaborated with five villages in Juraichari Upazila where the residents were combatting worsening droughts, landslides and flash floods.
With support from the United Nations Development Programme and Danida, the community worked to set up solar power-based safe water supply facilities and the provision of safe drinking water during crises.
Former UN Secretary-General and GCA Co-Chair Ban Ki Moon said the initiative is a combination of local and traditional techniques and it has been done for climate adaptation in marginalised areas.
“The initiative is not only sustainable, others can also emulate it and efficiently and appropriately negate the adverse impacts of climate change,” he added.
Read: COP27: Developed countries keen to fund vulnerable countries, says Hasan Mahmud
“Now communities have clean drinking water, and they can water their dragon fruit, mango and lychee orchards and cultivate their land for food and income,” said Arunendu Tripura, Public Relations Officer for Rangamati Hill District Council.
The Council has also established a climate resilience committee and supported local communities in conducting climate vulnerability assessments, which have fed into the creation of local resilience plans.
“Also, half of our members are women. I asked them why they chose to install this water facility, and they said as soon as they were able decide a solution, they chose to end the misery they face in fetching water, to curb their suffering. This gave me great satisfaction,” said Tripura.
Jona Chakma, a resident of the remote Choumohani Village of Jurachharhi Upazila, talks about her suffering before the initiative: “I would walk an hour to fetch water from Bonjogi Chhorha [stream]. That water would be used for drinking, cooking, washing and showering needs.”
“During summer, we needed more water. But the stream would shrink. I spent the whole day just to collect drinking water, bathing was a luxury. I cannot even express the suffering I went through,” she added.
Read: Adapting to climate change is the main focus of COP27: Info Minister
An earthquake in 2017 hiked the woes by restricting the flow of the stream.
It became harder to collect water. The villages of Choumohani, Badalpara, Lokkhi Member Para, NK Para and Chairman Para, all roughly 12 kilometres from Juraichari Sadar, were hit the hardest.
The deep tube-well run by solar power was established in Badalpara and has a 5000-litre water storage facility. The water is piped to the other villages.
Badalpara village’s Jharna Chakma explains the impact: “Our life has become easier. The time we spent to get water, we can now spend that in taking care of our children or income-generating activities like weaving cloth.”
UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Prasenjit Chakma points out that a women-led committee handle the management of the pump. “The local people, both men and women are part of this committee. The women lead the process. They have developed a fund with which they can do the maintenance and repairs of the facility.”
The GCA awards recognize locally led efforts to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change across four categories: financial governance, inclusive leadership, capacity and knowledge, and local innovation.
The other three countries to receive the award among 170 countries are India, Nepal and Kenya.
Read: COP27: Bangladesh wants developed countries to deliver on $100 billion promise
Each winner will receive €15,000 in funds to further the work they are doing in the spirit of the locally-led adaptation principles. They will also have access to a global network of changemakers.
Russian FM Lavrov’s Visit: Dhaka to focus on energy cooperation, Rohingya issue
Considering the current situation, Bangladesh will explore the possibility of cooperation in the energy sector with Russia during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s planned official visit here later this month.
Bangladesh will also discuss food grains supply and quick implementation of the projects that are in the pipeline including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen hinted that these areas are likely to be discussed during the bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
“We have invited him and there is a possibility that he will be here. We will welcome him, and the visit will give us an opportunity to highlight our challenges and priority issues with Russia,” he told reporters on Sunday after a seminar at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Also read: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
Masud also said Bangladesh wants Russia closer to Bangladesh to find a solution to the Rohingya crisis.
The Foreign Secretary, however, said there are still many days and reminded that Russia remains in an intensive situation.
"The invitation to take part in the IORA meeting for Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has been received and the work is on as regards the possibility of this visit," an official at the Russian Embassy in Dhaka told UNB.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Momen invited his Russian counterpart to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting to be held in Dhaka on November 24.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is likely to be here on November 23 to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest apart from his key focus on the IORA meeting.
Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Also read: EU announces € 3m for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char
Bangladesh, the current chair of IORA, expects over a dozen ministers including the Russian Foreign Minister at the meeting, a senior official told UNB.
The Russian Foreign Minister is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from his bilateral meeting with Momen.
Momen met his Russian counterpart last month in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the CICA Summit and apprised him of the current situation of the Rohingya.
He stressed the need for stronger international support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.
In August, Sergey Lavrov met with his counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin and other top Myanmar officials in Naypyitaw.
The IORA Council of Ministers meeting, to be hosted by Bangladesh, will be preceded by the 24th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) to be held on November 22-23.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States and 10 dialogue partners.
IORA member states are Australia, Bangladesh, Union of Comoros, French Republic, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Republic of Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The 23 member states of IORA and 10 dialogue partners are expected to join the ministerial and senior official meetings.
Bangladesh assumed the position of the IORA Chair at the 21st IORA COM meeting in Dhaka held on 17 November 2021 and adopted the theme of “Harnessing the opportunities of the Indian Ocean sustainably for inclusive development.”
Bangladesh can benefit immensely from economic partnerships with Africa
Speakers at a hybrid seminar on Sunday laid emphasis on greater efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s relations with the African countries by forging strong and diverse economic partnerships.
They said many countries of the world including India and China are giving much focus on Africa, and being another Asian country with similar economic appetite, Bangladesh sees huge potential to strengthen and widen its relations with Africa, which has immense economic potential.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen spoke at the seminar as the chief guest organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium.
Secretary (East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mashfee Binte Shams delivered the keynote speech at the seminar chaired by BIISS Chairman Kazi Imtiaz Hossain.
BIISS Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin delivered welcome remarks.
The Foreign Secretary urged the business community to come forward and play their role in exploring the opportunities while the government will facilitate them. “We have goodwill on our side.”
Read more: PM seeks Saudi fuel with deferred payment schedule
Secretary Mashfee said Bangladesh needs to connect with the African countries in the sectors where economic complementarities exist to sustain the momentum of the country’s development.
She said the current food, energy, health and commodity insecurities and the disruption in the supply chain are affecting all countries.
Secretary Mashfee said challenges emanating from climate change and natural calamities also demand special attention.
“Therefore, Bangladesh looks to engage more with the African countries to harness the synergies for mutual benefit,” she said, adding that the African market can be the next potential destination for export.
Read more: Dhaka, Riyadh to sign 2 deals on security cooperation
Apart from trade and investment, Bangladesh wants to enhance its cooperation with the African countries in a number of areas including agriculture, contract-farming, research and education, IT and ICT and SME.
PM seeks Saudi fuel with deferred payment schedule
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (November 13, 2022) sought fuel from Saudi Arabia, with a deferred payment schedule.
She made the request while the Deputy Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Read more: Bangladesh wants to import petroleum from KSA at lower price: Nasrul
PM’s press secretary briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said that Bangladesh's Prime Minister sought cooperation in oil supply from Saudi Arabia with a deferred payment schedule.
Read more: Saudi Arabia assures assistance in commercial supply of LNG to Bangladesh
Colombia seeks Yunus' advice on poverty reduction, 'total peace'
Senior Colombian ministers have sought Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus' advice on what the new three-month-old government of the country can do to take forward its vision of poverty reduction and "total peace."
Yunus is now in Colombia’s Bogota at the invitation of the World Business Forum to address a Latin American conference of business executives.
Since the recently elected President Gustavo is currently at the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), he instructed selected senior ministers to have an intensive consultation meeting with Yunus under the leadership of the minister in charge of the president's office.
Read: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
Yunus has been invited to Colombia by successive governments over the last two decades, and there are many programmes inspired by his work already running in the country, including microcredit programmes, social business programmes and university-initiated academic programmes.
During his visit, University Externado de Colombia, a leading university in the country, organised a large public event and invited Yunus to address it. The university has a joint programme with Yunus Centre and set up a Yunus Social Business Centre three years ago.
Yunus programmes in Colombia were presented by Yunus Centre on the work with universities, and Yunus Environment Hub about the projects for the environment and circularity in the Amazon region of the country as well as in other parts.
Read: Dhaka seeks proactive role from Thailand, ASEAN to repatriate Rohingya
This was followed by Yunus presenting his vision of a three-zero world and how that can be attained by building social business and with the involvement of the young people creating three-zero clubs.
The ministers appreciated Yunus's vision, as well as his work on the ground and his presentation, which was followed by a long discussion with them on aspects of microcredit, social business, globalisation, the role of youth, climate change, the environment and deforestation and the culture of peace.
Dhaka, Riyadh to sign 2 deals on security cooperation, Route to Meeca initiative
Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will sign two important agreements on security cooperation and "Route to Meeca" service on Sunday which would consolidate relations between the two countries.
Under Route to Meeca service agreement, Hajis (Pilgrims) would be able to complete their immigration in Dhaka prior to their departure to Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh is the first country with whom Saudi Arabia is going to sign Route to Mecca service agreement considering "excellent relations" between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, said the government.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will join hands to train police personnel including women police.
"I thought this is a new opening. Our women police are doing good. It's (such cooperation) good," he said after his meeting with Saudi Deputy Interor Minister Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood at State guesthouse Padma on Saturday evening.
IORA Meeting: Dhaka expects over a dozen ministers including Russian FM
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is likely to be here on a brief official visit later this month to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen extended an invitation to his Russian counterpart to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting to be held in Dhaka on November 24.
"The invitation to take part in the IORA meeting for Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has been received and the work is on as regards the possibility of this visit," an official at the Russian Embassy in Dhaka told UNB.
Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Bangladesh, the current chair of IORA, expects over a dozen ministers including the Russian Foreign Minister at the meeting, a senior official told UNB.
The Russian Foreign Minister is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Momen.
Read: FM Momen urges Japan to stand by Bangladesh in its development journey
Momen met his Russian counterpart last month in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the CICA Summit and apprised him of the current situation of the Rohingya.
He stressed the need for stronger international support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.
In August, Sergey Lavrov met with his counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin and other top Myanmar officials in Naypyitaw.
The IORA Council of Ministers meeting, to be hosted by Bangladesh, will be preceded by the 24th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) to be held on November 22-23.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States and 10 dialogue partners.
Read: Migrant workers’ rights: UN expert for monitoring recruitment process
IORA member states are Australia, Bangladesh, Union of Comoros, French Republic, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Republic of Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The 23 member states of IORA and 10 dialogue partners are expected to join the ministerial and senior official meetings.
Bangladesh assumed the position of the IORA Chai at the 21st IORA COM meeting in Dhaka held on 17 November 2021 and adopted the theme of “Harnessing the opportunities of the Indian Ocean sustainably for inclusive development.”
Swift return of irregular migrants to help promote legal migration: European Commissioner
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson has said sending the irregular migrants back to the country of origin swiftly from the European countries will help manage migration safely together moving away from irregular to regular.
“It is important that those who arrive irregularly should be sent back swiftly to the country of origin - Bangladesh - to really show that this is not the way to come to the European countries,” she told UNB while responding to a question.
EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley accompanied the European Commissioner during the interview here on Friday.
Also read: FM Momen urges Japan to stand by Bangladesh in its development journey
Johansson, also a former Minister for Employment and Integration of Sweden, said the cooperation on return has really increased and deepened in recent times with immediate reaction as the member states now say they are ready to open for more labour migration and more legal pathways.
She said it is important to say that irregular migration cannot be stopped fully without making better opportunities through legal ways.
The European Commissioner said there are many things they can do together including efforts to give the right information to the people about the risk of irregular arrivals in Europe.
Maldives fire: Identitties of Bangladeshi victims confirmed
Bangladesh High Commission in Maldives has confirmed identities of the two Bangladesh nationals who were killed in a fire that broke out in building housing foreign workers in the Maldives capital early Thursday.
The High Commission also identified the injured Bangladeshi who is undergoing treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male.
Read more: Maldives FM condoles death of 2 Bangladeshis in fire
The deceased expatriates were Asia Begum, passport no: BK0977764, daughter of Zorif Ali from Pirpur village in Dhanbaria upazila of Tangail and Uzzal, passport no: EG0289266, son of Golam from Ayma rasulpur village in Panchbibi upazila of Jaypurhat, said the High Commission quoting the Ministry of foreign Affairs, Maldives.
Meanwhile, another Bangladeshi, Tyob, son of Rokon Molla, from Bhanga upazila in Faridpur is currently under treatment at IGM hospital.
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has expressed sympathy to Bangladesh over the death of two Bangladeshis in a tragic fire in Male.
Read more: 2 Bangladeshis among 11 feared dead in Maldives fire
In a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday, Maldives Minister Shahid said it seems to be an accident and a full investigation into the matter is underway.
Momen requested his Maldives counterpart to ensure identities of the victims in detail.He also sought salvation of the departed souls and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
In a separate message, the Maldives Foreign Minister said he is deeply saddened by the news of a tragic fire in Male that has taken the lives of 11 expatriate workers and affected several families.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with families of the deceased and affected," he tweeted.