The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed introducing an “education diplomacy” service at Bangladesh missions abroad and setting up a dedicated emergency hotline for women migrant workers.
The proposals were made at the first meeting of the committee held with committee chairperson Joharat Adib Chowdhury in the chair.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Foreign State Minister Shama Obaed Islam agreed to the proposals, according to a press release issued after the meeting.
The committee also decided to discuss in detail at its next meeting what measures the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can take to prevent irregular migration to the United Arab Emirates and other countries.
The meeting described Bangladesh’s achievements and active participation in recent foreign affairs, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visits to Malaysia and China, as manifestations of growing international confidence in the government.
The committee was briefed on the organisational structure, mandate and ongoing activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A review of the ministry’s activities and achievements over the past six months was presented, along with its action plan for the next 180 days.
Committee members provided various recommendations and opinions aimed at making the ministry’s activities more effective, coordinated and results-oriented.
The committee also decided to adopt a unanimous resolution thanking and congratulating Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Committee members and Foreign State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Md Amanullah Aman, Humam Kader Chowdhury, SK Azizul Bari, Saeed Al Noman, ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Sanjida Islam, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Atikur Rahman Mojahid attended the meeting.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman attended as a special invitee at the invitation of the committee chairperson, since he is not a member of parliament.
Newly appointed Foreign State Minister Humaiun Kabir was also invited to the meeting but could not attend as he was on a previously scheduled foreign visit.
The foreign secretary and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were also present.