Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said peace and tolerance are the keys to stability and security.

Momen was speaking at the 49th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Mauritania's Nouakchott Thursday.

The foreign minister, who is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the CFM from March 16-17, also reiterated the country's continued engagements with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the world's largest body of Muslim-majority nations, "which has always been guided by the principles of peace, prosperity, and development."

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This year, the CFM is being held with the theme "Moderation: Key to Security and Stability" where several political, economic, social, cultural and security issues were discussed.

Momen highlighted Bangladesh's prudent navigation of the economy during the Covid-19 period under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

However, he expressed his deep concern at the lack of tolerance and surge of terrorism in various parts of the world together with the rise of Islamophobia.

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The foreign minister particularly stressed the proactive role of the 57-nation OIC members and international actors to address the Rohingya issue and urged them to remain involved to put continuous pressure on Myanmar authorities to ensure the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

During this CFM, Bangladesh was unanimously elected as the vice-chair of the Bureau of the 49th CFM.

Bangladesh's nominated candidate Sheepa Hafiza won the election of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission commissioner from Asia Group together with Iran and Turkiye.