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Pay compensation to climate vulnerable nations: FM to developed countries
Bangladesh has called upon the developed countries -- responsible for the highest rates of global carbon emissions -- to pay compensation to the poorer nations for the losses and damages incurred through climate change.
In an interview with ITV News, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said it is fair and just for these bigger countries to pay compensation because they are the ones that abuse the resources and spoil planet Earth.
The G20, which is made up of most of the world’s largest economies, accounts for more than 80% of global carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, developing countries like Bangladesh often emit the lowest amounts of global emissions but are forced to endure the disproportionate wrath of climate change.
Bangladesh is only responsible for 0.4% of the planet’s total carbon discharge yet loses around 2% of its GDP yearly to extreme climate events, says the ITV News.
Six million Bangladeshis have so far got displaced as a consequence of climate change and by 2050, the country fears 17% of its coastline will vanish underwater creating 30 million climate refugees.
“This is an existential problem for Bangladesh,” Momen said, adding that the climate change issue is not a national issue, not a regional issue, it is a global issue. "We all have to work together in collaboration and partnership to save this planet."
Read: Bangladesh to be voice of climate vulnerable countries: FM
Bangladesh, Hungary plan to boost trade ties
Bangladesh and Hungary have discussed ways to increase trade between the two countries apart from exploring cooperation in the health sector.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a bilateral meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Geneva recently and discussed the issues of mutual cooperation between the two countries.
Both of them were in Geneva to participate in the Asia-Pacific Regional Review Meeting in preparation for the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC 5) to be held in Qatar in January 2022.
Also read: Bangladesh, Hungary sign MoU over scholarships
At the meeting, the issues of bilateral interest as well as multilateral ones were discussed, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Foreign Minister Momen thanked the Hungarian Foreign Minister for offering scholarships to Bangladeshi students, and requested him to increase the number of scholarships allocated to Bangladesh.
Szijjarto assured Dr Momen that the Hungarian government would increase the number of scholarships to Bangladeshi students next year.
The issue of operationalisation of the Consulate of Hungary also came up at the meeting for discussions.
Also read: Bangladesh, Hungary to discuss trade, investment issues Thursday
Dr Momen also co-chaired a session of the ongoing Asia-Pacific Regional Review Meeting of the LDCs together with the Undersecretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar at the UN Headquarters in Geneva.
The session titled “Structural transformation and resilient infrastructure for sustained economic growth, poverty alleviation and decent work for all” highlighted structural impediments faced by the LDCs of the Asia-Pacific region and how to build resilience against internal and external shocks and crises.
The session was attended by a number of high-level speakers including the Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan.
Bangladeshi investors keen to invest in South Africa: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladeshi investors are likely to consider investing in South Africa if they get similar facilities offered by other African countries.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladeshi investors have invested in some African countries.
Dr Momen, now in South Africa, held discussions with Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa Ebrahim Patel virtually on Tuesday and discussed the investment issue.
The Trade Minister strongly suggested that Bangladesh investors may visit South Africa to see the investment opportunities in South Africa.
READ: Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost country's image globally through dedication, efficiency: FM
He indicated that Bangladeshi investors can invest in South Africa in different sectors including clothing, textiles and footwear sectors.
The Foreign Minister said collaboration in many sectors like IT and agro-processed industry would provide win-win situation for both countries.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost country's image globally through dedication, efficiency: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladeshi peacekeepers have enhanced the country's image internationally through dedicated and efficient services in the UN peacekeeping missions.
He identified the participation of Bangladeshi peacekeepers as an opportunity to project the image of the country abroad.
Read: Nature of peacekeeping has changed: FM
The foreign minister visited Bangladesh peacekeeping contingents in South Sudan Thursday.
He visited the Bangladesh Engineering Construction Unit and Bangladesh Marine Forces Unit deployed in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Juba.
During his interaction with the peacekeepers, Dr Momen mentioned the role of the government in enhancing the participation of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UN missions.
The minister said the government also sent Formed police units (FPUs) to different UN missions who have earned a lot of reputation with their performance.
"Bangladesh is now the top troop-contributing country to the UN peacekeeping operations owing to the efficiency, acumen and professionalism of our peacekeepers," he said.
Read: FM greets UN chief Guterres on re-appointment
Also, Dr Momen said the government has facilitated the deployment of female peacekeepers in the UN peacekeeping operations.
A monument can be built in the Dhaka Cantonment to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, he suggested.
During the visit to the UNMISS, he received a gun salute from a contingent of Bangladeshi peacekeepers and signed the visitors' book.
The Bangladesh contingent in the UNMISS comprises a good number of female peacekeepers along with male ones.
Later, the foreign minister interacted with the acting special representatives of the UN secretary-general of the UNMISS, the forces commander of the UNMISS, the mission chief and the deputy forces commander of the UNMISS.
During this time, the officials apprised the foreign minister about the activities of the UNMISS and highly praised the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UNMISS.
Dr Momen is now visiting South Sudan to meet Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in different contingents in the UNMISS and also meeting with the high political leadership of South Sudan.
The delegation of the foreign minister comprises non-resident Bangladesh ambassador to South Sudan, officials from the Armed Forces Division and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dhaka turns down Washington’s request to temporarily shelter people from Afghanistan
Bangladesh has rejected a request from the United States to give temporary shelter to some people from Afghanistan, saying Bangladesh is already in a big problem by giving shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingyas.
“Yes, we’ve received a request from the US. We thanked them but rejected the request,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB over phone.
Asked from which level the request came from the US, the Foreign Minister said it came from diplomatic channels both from Washington and in Dhaka.
Also read: Bangladesh to welcome new Afghan govt if it’s of people: FM
Dr Momen said the US is a friendly country to Bangladesh and conveyed the message to them that Bangladesh is already facing many problems by giving shelter to the Rohingyas.
“Don’t put us into further trouble,” he said, mentioning what Bangladesh conveyed to the US side after receiving the request.
Bangladesh to welcome new Afghan govt if it’s of people: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh will welcome the new government in Afghanistan if it is supported by its people.
“We believe in people’s government. We believe in a government which is liked by its people. We believe in democratic government,” he told reporters, adding that Bangladesh’s door will surely remain open if the Taliban government becomes a government supported by its people.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh believes in friendship to all countries, and Bangladesh will extend support if any government seeks support from Bangladesh.
Also read: Bangladesh observing fast evolving situation in Afghanistan: MoFA
He said Afghanistan is a friendly country to Bangladesh and is a member State of Saarc. “Bangladesh wants their (Afghanistan) development.”
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said there were some terrorists in Bangladesh who were trained in Afghanistan. “We’ve uprooted them and there’s no scope to see their reemergence here.”
Rohingya children must be educated in their own language: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated Bangladesh's position to provide education to Rohingya children sheltered in the country only in Rohingya language under Myanmar curricula.
The Rohingya children can be reintegrated in Myanmar smoothly after their repatriation if they are educated in Rohingya language under Myanmar curricula, he said.
"This (education) must be done in Rohingya language under Myanmar curricula so that once they return, they can be reintegrated in Myanmar," Dr Momen conveyed to Canadian Minister of International Development Karina Gould during his recent virtual meeting.
Also read: Vaccination: UNHCR lauds Bangladesh for inclusion of Rohingyas
More importantly, he said, Canada should first introduce her education programme in Rakhaine State where nearly 6 lakh Rohingyas are in IDP camps.
'One of significant achievements' says FM as Tigers finish series 4-1
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen Monday congratulated the Bangladesh cricket team as the Tigers took the five-match T20 series against Australia 4-1.
"This is one of the significant achievements as we're celebrating 50 years of our independence," he said in a message, thanking everyone involved in Bangladesh's cricket.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam also congratulated Bangladesh team members, coach, manager and everyone involved for the big win against mighty Australia.
In a message from Qatar, he hoped that this winning trend would continue.
In the fifth T20, Australia collapsed to 62 all out while chasing 123 – the Aussies' lowest total across limited-overs cricket.
FM lauds Health Ministry’s vaccination efforts
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday appreciated the Health Ministry for its competency and efficiency in managing the vaccination programme nationwide.
He hoped that half of targeted people would be vaccinated within months if the current trend continues.
Read: Bangladesh receives around 8 lakh doses of AstraZeneca vaccine
Bangladesh wants to vaccinate 80 percent people of the country in phases.
Dr Momen said the vaccine supply remains steady and there will be no problem to get adequate vaccine doses.
He was talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after receiving the second consignment of AstraZeneca vaccine doses from Japan together with Health Minister Zahid Maleque.
Senior Secretary of Health Service Division Lokman Hossain Miah and Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki were also present.
The second consignment contains 7,81,320 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.
Dr Momen expressed displeasure as some people are saying it will take five to six years to get all people vaccinated. "Vaccination for 1 crore people has been arranged within a week."
Appreciating the Health Ministry for its role, the Foreign Minister said they are doing an excellent job. "We're working together in a coordinated way and we're handling the COVID-19 situation very successfully so far," he said.
Dr Momen thanked the Health Ministry for addressing the issues of expatriates Bangladeshis and students who are willing to return to their studies abroad.
"Challenges are coming and we're facing those challenges, I think, pretty effectively and efficiently," said the Foreign Minister.
He urged all to follow health guidelines properly saying it is a war against Covid-19 and everyone has a responsibility.
"We're thankful to Japan. They've proved that they're real friend of all Bangladeshis," said Momen after receiving the vaccine consignment.
He said Japan, may be in the future, would be providing more and more support to deal with the situation.
Dr Momen said Covid-19 is a big global problem and no country can resolve it alone.
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said vaccine should be a public good and ownership of its technology should be shared by all the countries.
The third consignment of the vaccine that will contain 6,16,780 doses of AstraZeneca is scheduled to arrive here on August 3.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen received the first consignment of 2,45,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from Japan on July 24.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito said this is the manifestation of friendship and partnership.
During his recent telephone conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, Dr Momen raised the vaccine issue and requested him to help Bangladesh with AstraZeneca vaccine supply.
He specifically mentioned the urgency of the AstraZeneca vaccine doses as a good number of people in Bangladesh did not get the second dose of AstraZeneca due to a supply gap.
Japan says it will stand by Bangladesh in the fight against Covid-19.
The Japanese Foreign Minister announced that 15 countries in the region will be provided with 11 million doses in total under the COVAX facility.
Bangladesh against any idea leading to Rohingya integration: FM
The government has taken a very strong stance against the idea floated by the World Bank that apparently suggests the integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh as Bangladesh’s priority remains repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.
“We took a very strong stance. We didn’t like it and we opposed it strongly. We conveyed it,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB.
The World Bank came up with a programme as part of its Refugee Policy Review Framework globally for refugee host countries through the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
“Rohingyas are not refugees here. They’re taking shelter temporarily,” Dr Momen said, adding that Bangladesh wants the repatriation of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Myanmar.
Asked about the WB’s proposed programme, the Foreign Minister said the WB is saying effective steps to be taken to identify, prevent and mitigate social tensions and risk of violence among the displaced people and host communities, building good relations among themselves, and to employ them in local works.
Read: Poor host communities fume as Rohingyas start grabbing local labour market
He said they (WB) are saying Rohingyas should have the right to work and free mobility; and birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates should be issued for the Rohingyas like Bangladesh citizens. “Naturally, we don’t accept those ideas. They (WB) are willing to give money for these if we do integrate them.”
As per the WB ideas shared with the ERD, the Rohingyas should have access to local labour market, including business opportunities, the same way Bangladesh nationals have with the same payment facilities.