Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, now in Portugal, has highlighted Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to peace and humanity.
Addressing the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Group of Friends high-level meeting in Cascais, he emphasized the nation’s dedication to championing sustainability under the visionary "Three Zeros" roadmap by Chief Adviser Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, which envisions Zero carbon emissions, Zero poverty, and Zero unemployment.
The Adviser called for fostering dialogue, leveraging AI responsibly, and ensuring justice, equality, and sustainability for all civilizations.
Mentioning about the continuation of genocide in Gaza with impunity, he urged collective efforts to create a future defined by harmony, mutual respect, and cooperation for generations to come.
With the theme "United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future," the forum is taking place from November 25–27 at a critical juncture as the world grapples with rising conflicts, climate change, and growing divisions fueled by hatred.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Adviser held discussions with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.
The meetings covered a range of topics of mutual interest, including enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as trade, infrastructure, railways, and investment.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties through high-level visits and collaborative initiatives.
Key global and regional issues were addressed, including support for resolving the Rohingya crisis, challenges arising from Bangladesh’s LDC graduation, and the dire humanitarian situation caused by Israel’s aggression in Gaza and Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The discussions also underscored the need for coordinated efforts in multilateral platforms to tackle shared challenges and promote peace, security, and sustainable development.