foreign-affairs
Bangladesh exchanges views on Indo-Pacific with Australia
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has met his Australian counterpart Marise Payne and exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of growing interest in the region.
They reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation for the shared prosperity and security of all in the region.
During the bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of "Munich Security Conference 2022" in Germany, the two foreign ministers also exchanged greetings on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Australia.
They recalled the exchange of goodwill messages between the prime ministers of the two countries to mark the occasion.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh and Australia have the scope to further enhance and diversify their trade and economic cooperation, especially with the signing of the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) last year.
Also read: China offers not only ‘basket of money’ but also “affordable” proposals: FM
He urged his Australian counterpart to jointly explore ways to increase the volume and content of bilateral trade.
Also, the two ministers discussed the possibility of organising a visit by a business delegation, focusing on pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh.
Indian envoy visits Asian University for Women
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Sunday visited Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram.
He had a "very good and fruitful" interaction with the faculty members and the students.
The high commissioner also gifted some fitness and gym equipment to the university.
European company interested to develop infrastructure in Bangladesh
APM Terminals, a global port and terminal operator, has shown keen interest in developing and upgrading the infrastructure in Bangladesh and building a state-of-the-art and sustainable Patenga Container Terminal.
The company particularly eyes the Patenga Container Terminal as it has the potential to alleviate many of the constraints that adversely impact the Chattogram Seaport, hindering the future economic growth of Bangladesh, according to the Danish Embassy in Dhaka.
The company says it will trigger further investments along the supply chain and open new markets to Bangladeshi importers and exporters, while serving as catalyst for future relations between the European Union (EU) and Bangladesh.
Read:China offers not only ‘basket of money’ but also “affordable” proposals: FM
APM Terminals representatives met key Bangladeshi stakeholders recently to explore deepening the cooperation on maritime infrastructure in the country.
Together with the Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen, company representatives met State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Secretary of Shipping Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, CEO of Public Private Partnerships Authority Sultana Afroz and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Petersen said trade between Denmark and Bangladesh is centered around the transfer of climate-friendly know-how and cutting-edge technologies. "It’s an effective way to accelerate Bangladesh’s green economic transition and build sustainable economic competitiveness, especially for access to the European markets, by leveraging public-private-partnership.’’
Commenting on the future infrastructure project in Patenga, Vice President, Global Head of Corporate Development at APM Terminals, Martijn van Dongen said the seaport in Chattogram is currently utilised at over 100% of its capacity.
"While truly commendable, it’s not a sustainable solution matching the country’s growth ambitions. We believe that by developing a new terminal in Patenga together with our Bangladeshi partners, we can provide a viable and much needed infrastructure solution with a positive economic impact.”
APM Terminals is known for providing superior port logistics and container terminal operations globally to shipping lines.
Read:Bangladesh, US can work together to showcase effective climate actions: FM
APM Terminals is committed to making the new terminal operational in the shortest time possible, said the Danish Embassy in Dhaka.
European investment in port infrastructure in Bangladesh is expected to invite greater foreign direct investment.
The potential engagement presents the opportunity to harness the operational synergies arising out of the integration of the Patenga Container Terminal with global export-import supply chain and help realize the true potential of the terminal as a modern, highly efficient, state-of-the-art terminal that aids the facilitation of local/regional trade and drives sustainable economic growth and stability, said the Danish Embassy.
It is also an "opportunity" for Denmark and Bangladesh to "strengthen relations" by realizing a novel public private partnership project based on their shared maritime roots.
China offers not only ‘basket of money’ but also “affordable” proposals: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said China has come forward with a “basket of money” along with “aggressive and affordable” proposals amid Bangladesh’s growing infrastructure needs when help from many countries is “declining”.
However, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar laid emphasis on making an “informed decision” and cited the problems that they have seen in some countries in the region.
The Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh and India came up with their own views during a panel discussion titled "A Sea Change: Regional Order and Security in the Indo-Pacific" on the second day (Saturday) of the Munich Security Conference 2022.
While asking a question, Dr Momen said Bangladesh is doing “pretty well” in terms of economic development and since Bangladesh is doing pretty well, the aspirations of common people have also gone up.
Read:Bangladesh, US can work together to showcase effective climate actions: FM
“They want more facilities and more opportunities for their better life and there’s a demand for more infrastructure facilities in the country. But we don’t have money. Neither do we've technology,” said the Foreign Minister.
He said they need to have further development to face this public demand while help from many countries is declining.
Dr Momen thanked Japan saying they are one of the best friends and the country is investing in Bangladesh’s infrastructure.
He also thanked India with remarks that the country has been giving line of credit to Bangladesh for various projects.
Dr Momen said the development process is going on in Bangladesh in line with people’s demand for more infrastructure development.
“And there we need a completion. We need more funding from our development partners,” he said, adding that unfortunately they come with a lot of strings making things very difficult.
The Foreign Minister said till today Bangladesh borrowed maximum loans from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Responding to Dr Momen’s question, his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar said international relations is “competitive” and every country will look for opportunities and see what it can do.
Read:Election Bangladesh's internal matter: Doraiswami
“But while doing so, it’s in their own interest to be prudent and do due diligence about what they are getting into…we’ve seen now countries, including in our region, being saddled with large debts, we’ve seen projects which are commercially unsustainable, airports where aircraft doesn’t come, harbours where ship doesn’t come. I think people would be justified and ask themselves what I am getting into,” said the Indian External Affairs Minister.
He said it is in the interest of the country concerned and also in the interest of the international community because unsustainable projects do not end there. “There’re real concerns over there.”
“I think it’s very important that all of us make an informed decision but of course a very competitive decision,” said Dr Jaishankar.
The 58th Munich Security Conference (MSC) is scheduled to end today (Feb 18-20) at its usual venue in Munich, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
Bangladesh, US can work together to showcase effective climate actions: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh and the US can work together to realise several long-term, ambitious initiatives to showcase effective climate actions.
He made the remarks following his meeting with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Germany.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of cooperation issues at the meeting held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference Saturday.
They discussed the possibility of growth in renewable energy in Bangladesh in line with the country's requirement to generate an extra 4,000 MW of energy from renewable sources to meet its target of 40 percent within its energy mix.
Dr Momen urged the G7 to support Bangladesh and other climate-vulnerable countries with cost-effective technologies for the transition to green energy.
He also sought the US' support in developing skillsets for creating job opportunities in the renewable energy sector and solar energy-driven equipment operations.
John Kerry talked about the potential of nuclear modular plants that are now being tested in the US.
He took interest in the project envisaged for heightening and widening embankments with afforestation and renewable energy generation capacity along Bangladesh's coastal belt.
Kerry assured of facilitating the US' support in conducting the initial feasibility study for the purpose.
Dr Momen appreciated his emphasis on taking a science-based approach to climate action with a matter of urgency.
Kerry expressed interest in enhancing the US' engagement with other climate-vulnerable countries.
The US presidential envoy invited Bangladesh to join the Global Methane Pledge as a means to benefit from support for reducing emissions from solid waste, among other sectors.
The two leaders also talked about the recent sanctions imposed by the US on Rapid Action Battalion and some of its former and current officials, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuyian was present at the meeting.
Election Bangladesh's internal matter: Doraiswami
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has said they have "absolutely nothing" to comment on the election issue here, noting that this is an internal issue of Bangladesh.
"For us, there is absolutely nothing that we have to comment on....," he said.
The High Commissioner made the remarks when reporters approached him on the next national election at a programme at Maizbhandar Sharif, Fatikchhari upazila in Chattogram on Saturday afternoon.
Brazilian Ambassador visits "Cafe Sao Paulo" at Dhanmondi
To introduce Bangladshi people with the different cuisines of the world and introduce them with coffee culture, the Model Group has started the journey of "Cafe Sao Paulo" at Dhanmondi.
The Cafe is named after the famous Brazilian city, Sao Paulo.
Ambassador of Brazil to Bangladesh João Tabajara de Oliveira Junior visited the Cafe Sao Paulo, said a media release on Saturday.
Also read: Ensuring "smooth and inclusive" graduation is key to Bangladesh: Ambassador Danzi
Munich Conf: Dhaka calls for global leaders efforts to ensure climate funding, technologies
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has said climate change posed a security challenge and urged the global leadership to help forge international partnerships to ensure financing and technologies for climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.
He drew attention to the possible consequences to be created by climate-induced displacements in different parts of the world.
Incidentally, climate change was identified as the top security risk among people polled for the Munich Security Index 2022.
Dr Momen was addressing a panel discussion on tackling the climate crisis at the "Munich Security Conference" that began on Friday.
Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace
Geopolitics may stand in the way of climate finance deal, warns Momen, as the Munich Security Conference returns
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated the need for global partnership to mobilize financing and technologies towards climate action and green transition.
He was speaking at a panel discussion on tackling climate crisis during the "58th Munich Security Conference" that began in Germany on Friday.
The conference being held at the usual venue in Munich will continue till February 20.
Speaking at the opening session of the conference Dr Momen wondered if the international commitment for climate financing could be affected due to geopolitical tensions, including Ukraine situation.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to visit Paris, France from Germany.
Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace
The MSC 2022 remains true to its traditional formats but welcomed fewer guests and media representatives as well as smaller delegations to ensure the health and safety of its participants and the Munich public, according to the organizers.
"Our world is in danger. Traditional certainties are crumbling, threats and vulnerabilities are multiplying, and the rules-based order is increasingly under attack. The need for dialogue has never been greater,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of Munich Security Conference.
Dr Momen is scheduled to leave Munich for Paris on February 21 and attend "Ministerial Forum” for the cooperation in the Indo Pacific to be held there on February 22.
The French government has invited a host of foreign ministers from across Asia, the Pacific and East Africa to its capital on February 22 for the meeting with their European counterparts and top European Union officials.
Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace
Together with the High Representative, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the Ministerial Forum, bringing together the Member States, the European Commission and Indo-Pacific partner countries.
The forum will address specific challenges related to security and defence, and digital and connectivity issues in the context of the Global Gateway initiative to develop infrastructure worldwide, as well as global challenges such as global health, climate change, biodiversity and the protection of oceans.
UNHCR sees clear improvement of conditions, services in Bhasan Char
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements on Friday said Bhasan Char has the potential to become a temporary stay for the Rohingya refugees.
She said there has been clear improvement in the conditions and availability of services since UNHCR and UN partners began supporting the government in October.
However, its sustainability will depend on scaling up health and education services, improving access to livelihoods and income generating activities, and above all, continuing to ensure the voluntariness of relocations to the island and regular family visits to and from the mainland, Clements said.
With return to Myanmar unlikely in the immediate future, UNHCR has underscored the need for a more comprehensive approach to humanitarian support.
This includes alternative solutions for Rohingya refugees such as resettlement to third countries for the most vulnerable with specific protection needs, and complementary pathways overseas which could include employment and educational opportunities, said the UN refugee agency.
Read: 15,000 people in Cox’s Bazar receive UNHCR’s aid1