State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Saturday said the number of deaths along the Bangladesh-India border will be brought down to zero as such death is not expected amid friendly relationship between the two countries. “No one wants killing along the border. Border killings have decreased significantly this year compared to the past. Discussions are underway between the two countries to bring down the border killings to zero level,” he told reporters after attending a programme at Lalmonirhat Church of God High School. Read more: BGB, BSF agree to cut border killings Shahriar said earlier the border guard forces of both countries used to discuss returning the dead bodies holding a flag meeting. Discussions at the Deputy Commissioner level of the two countries were also closed during the Covid lockdown, which will resume again, he said. The state minister urged the people near the border not to enter India illegally. The state minister said that discussions are on to reopen the Mogalhat land port and it would be possible if the government of India agrees. Read more: Border killing is a shame for India: Momen  He said that efforts are going on to reopen all cross-border routes that were closed for improved communication between the two countries.

Bangladesh has encouraged the Finnish companies to benefit from the “attractive” business opportunities that exist in Bangladesh. Non-Resident Ambassador of Finland to Bangladesh Ritva Koukku-Ronde met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at his office on Tuesday and discussed possible economic engagements between the two countries. Also read: We just want an election with people’s participation freely: US envoy Both of them noted the friendly ties between Bangladesh and Finland and discussed ways to expand the relations across sectors, specially in the areas of trade and investment, climate action, SDG, migration and mobility, education and research, renewable energy and digital cooperation. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues including the Ukraine conflict and its implications. He also advised the Ambassador about Bangladesh’s desire to work together in the areas of migration and mobility. The Finnish Ambassador appreciated Bangladesh’s role in maintaining regional stability by hosting 1.1 million Rohingyas and providing them with sustainable livelihood and education. She also praised Bangladesh’s well recognised role in peacekeeping and peace building. The Ambassador expressed interest in establishing cooperation in the areas of smart city and smart port constructions. She also conveyed the interest of the Finnish energy companies to collaborate with Bangladesh. The State Minister sought for Finland’s support to Bangladesh’s United Nations Security Council candidature. The Finnish Ambassador indicated to give due consideration to Bangladesh’s bid, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. The State Minister noted the need for further cooperation in the areas of higher education, skill development and capacity building in key sectors between the countries. Also read:Success requires partners like Bangladesh amid new global economic order: Hungary He also flagged the issue of the visa difficulties experienced by the students aiming to go to Finland for pursuing higher studies. The Ambassador expressed her desire to collaborate more in the higher education sector and assured of easing the visa complexities shortly. Both sides affirmed their desire to continue the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship. The Ambassador is currently on a bilateral visit to Bangladesh and scheduled to meet the Minister of Commerce and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

Secretary of State (State Minister) for Foreign Affairs & Cooperation of Portugal Dr. Francisco Andre has assured of his personal intervention to create positive conditions for Bangladeshi immigrants to work and stay in Portugal. He commended the Bangladeshi expatriate community residing in Portugal as “respected, well integrated community contributing significantly to the Portuguese society.” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam had a bilateral meeting with the Secretary of State over a luncheon hosted by the Portuguese side in Lisbon on Monday and discussed the issues of mutual interest. Also read:Bangladesh number 1 recipient of COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX: UNICEF State Minister Alam apprised the Secretary of State about the sustained social and economic development of Bangladesh under the watch of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. He raised the issue of the need of easing the existing visa complexities in the absence of a Portuguese resident Diplomatic Mission in Dhaka and offered every assistance for ensuring periodic consular services provided to Dhaka. Bangladesh State Minister thanked his counterpart for the continued patronage extended to the Bangladeshi expatriates and praised Portugal for their immigrant friendly approaches. He proposed the State Secretary to work together to chart an orderly and transparent pathway for Bangladeshi citizens to come and work in Portugal under an agreed framework. The Portuguese State Secretary extended his invitation for Bangladesh to participate in the” Second UN Ocean Conference” to be held from June 27 to July 1. Bangladesh State Minister informed of a possible attendance of a high-level delegation led by the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The two leaders exchanged views on recent regional and global developments. They noted their convergences in their respective approaches to the current world order and reaffirmed their commitments to a stronger UN system and a rule-based world. Bangladesh State Minister informed his counterpart that Bangladesh has always been the supporter of peace, territorial integrity, sovereignty and human rights protection, which reflects into our share of contribution in UN Peacekeeping Missions.

Portugal has attributed Bangladesh's rapid rise in the economic and social sectors in recent times to the existing political stability under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Portugal also acknowledged Bangladesh’s continued regional cooperation in its neighbourhood. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam met Portuguese Minister of Economy and Sea  Antonio Costa Silva on Thursday and discussed the areas of cooperation between the two countries.  Also read:Australia Awards recipients returning home with innovative ideas, knowledge: Speaker Recognizing that there remains considerable potential for cooperation between the countries, the Portuguese minister reiterated that Portugal stands ready to expand collaboration in the diverse areas spanning renewable energy, green transition, marine technology, ocean economy and so on. Shahriar agreed to advance cooperation in these areas and sought Portugal’s support for regional hydropower, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both Bangladesh and Portugal being coastal countries, face common existential threat from climate change and rising sea level, which makes it necessary to foster further climate cooperation.

Bangladesh has said the international community must not shy away from their responsibility to resolve the Rohingya crisis and relieve Bangladesh from the burden. "Myanmar authorities are yet to demonstrate genuine political will to resolve the crisis," said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam during the virtual launching ceremony of the Joint Response Plan-2022 (JRP-2022) on Tuesday. Read: UNHCR, partners call for sustained funding, support for Rohingyas He said the displaced people are not expected to opt for return on their own unless a conducive environment in Rakhine is created and confidence building among the Rohingya is done. "On our part, we remain ready to extend all kinds of support to any initiative towards the permanent solution to the crisis," said the State Minister calling upon their international friends and development partners to leave no stone unturned to ensure that Myanmar shows political will and invest in creating a conducive environment in Rakhine with their increased presence in Rakhine. The State Minister expressed sincere appreciation to the international partners for their persistent humanitarian support to over 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. "The question that repeatedly strikes our minds is how long we would have to bear the burden and how the international community sustains this level of humanitarian support for such a big number of over 1.1 population with around 30,000 newborns being added each year," he said. Shahriar Alam called upon the partners and donors to continue and rather enhance their financial contribution for the activities envisaged under JRP -2022 to enable the UN continue their humanitarian operations smoothly. Read: Sustainable solution of Rohingya issues lies on repatriation: FS The Rohingya themselves are keen to return to their homelands, he said, adding that resolving this humanitarian crisis is a collective responsibility as its implication goes beyond borders. Delaying this crucial problem jeopardizes our collective security. "The growing frustration over the lack of progress in repatriation entices many to get involved in criminal activities, and they are easy prey to extremist ideologies. This could potentially destabilize the entire region," he said. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Vitorino, Director General, International Organization for Migration, Dr. Eiko Narita, Country Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh, Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh, Urbi Chakma, Centre Manager, NGO Forum for Public Health and Dominique Hyde, Director, Division of External Relations, UNHCR also joined the virtual launching.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said the Paris Agreement, SDGs and Sendai Framework must be fully implemented to address the root causes of climate-induced migration and displacement. He made the call while speaking at a webinar on "Climate Change and Migration and Displacement Nexus" on Tuesday. António Vitorino, Director-General, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives France, Egypt and Germany, Charge d'affaires of Ghana, and representatives from different stakeholders spoke. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva, moderated the webinar. Read: Bangladesh, US can work together to showcase effective climate actions: FM The webinar was organized by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva under the  Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). Bangladesh is currently leading the 55- member forum for the second term. Mentioning that Bangladesh is at the forefront of the climate crisis, the State Minister said that migration and displacement of a staggering number of people are inevitable unless climate actions are not accelerated globally.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh, empowered by the peaceful resolution of its maritime disputes, is looking to benefit from the resources of the Bay of Bengal in an environmentally-friendly manner. He made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at a conference titled “Inspired by Bangabandhu’s Vision of Regional and Global Peace: Envisaging Regional Peace and Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal''. The conference was organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies (CBoBS) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on Tuesday at the IUB auditorium in the city. The hybrid event, with actual and web-based participation, was a curtain-raiser for the World Peace Conference being convened by the government of Bangladesh in Dhaka December 4-6, 2021 to highlight and carry forward Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision of world peace. Read: Income tax return submission deadline extended to December 31 The State Minister said from the production of clean energy to the development of new and sustainable industries in fields as diverse as bio-tech and aquaculture, Bangladesh needs to invest in knowledge, develop marine sector skills, and encourage innovation and business. In his video message, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr Gowher Rizvi said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ was predicated on ensuring a regional and global environment of peace. “Towards this end, he articulated in his foreign policy the cardinal principle of friendship to all, malice towards none,” he said. IUB Vice-Chancellor Tanweer Hasan said IUB has embraced the government’s agenda of inclusion of all in education irrespective of gender, socio-economic and religious background. Read: Dubai-based DP World to invest $1 bln in Bangladesh “We are a campus that promotes diversity. And that is how we believe we are helping realize the dreams of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who fought for peace, harmony and equal rights for all people.”

US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun has assured Bangladesh of extending cooperation in repatriating Rashed Chowdhury, the killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman living in the USA. 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said the international community, including the UN agencies, must work meaningfully and vigorously and engage with the government of Myanmar to create an environment that would be conducive to voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas.