foreign minister
Nothing to be worried about vaccines: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said there is nothing to be worried about the availability of vaccines, noting that the government will have enough vaccines soon from alternative sources.
“I believe we'll have enough vaccines. No one should be worried about it. Vaccines will come timely and all will get it,” he said in a video message shared on his verified Facebook page.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is much ahead of many countries in the world in procuring vaccines and launching vaccination drives across the country.
He said many European countries decided about which vaccine they should use just in April whereas in Bangladesh many people got vaccinated.
Apart from China and Russia, Dr Momen said, there is much possibility to get vaccines from the United States.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks immediate delivery of 4 mn vaccine doses from US: FM
The Foreign Minister has recently written a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking vaccine doses from the US for immediate and long-term needs.
The government has sought immediate release of 2-4 million doses of vaccine from the United States (US) and a total of 10 to 20 million doses of vaccine for the long term supply.
The US will share up to 60 million doses of its Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines vaccine with other countries as they become available.
The Foreign Minister said 5 lakh doses of Chinese vaccine will arrive here on May 12 as a gift from the Chinese government
The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally.
Also read: Deal with Russia soon over Covid vaccine: Health Minister
The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).
“The addition of this vaccine (Sinopharm COVID-19) has the potential to rapidly accelerate Covid-19 vaccine access for countries seeking to protect health workers and populations at risk. We urge the manufacturer to participate in the COVAX Facility and contribute to the goal of more equitable vaccine distribution," says Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Health Products.
Dr Momen said Russia's Sputnik V Covid vaccine showed over 97 percent efficacy while the Chinese vaccines were taken by 100 million people without any side effects.
He said the government of Bangladesh got the vaccines from India at a very low cost but they could not supply as per agreement due to the deteriorating situation in India with sharp rise of demands for vaccines there.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister said the government is not shifting its attention from India as there is an agreement with Serum Institute of India to get 3 crore doses of vaccine.
Also read: What does it feel like to get COVID-19 after taking the vaccine?
He said India is yet to reply as Bangladesh sought at least 30 lakh doses of vaccine under the agreement to address the immediate demand in Bangladesh. “We’ll procure vaccines wherever we get it.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed that the government will procure vaccines at any cost to protect people from coronavirus."We are bringing more vaccines, no matter how much money is required; we will bring more vaccines."
Bangladesh has received 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) vaccines through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift. This is the largest amount sent from India to any country.
US may consider taking Rohingyas from Bangladesh: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the United States may consider accepting a good number of forcibly-displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh for filling up a large portion of the new numbers set for 2021 and 2022.
Dr Momen appreciated US President Joe Biden’s recent announcement to enhance the admission of refugees to the US to 62,500 in 2021 and 125,000 in 2022.
He also expressed optimism that the US, as the largest humanitarian donor for the humanitarian operations for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas camped in Bangladesh, will continue to provide necessary assistance for Rohingyas, including those now settled in Bhasan Char.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday and discussed the issues.
Mamata thanks Momen; highlights stronger bonding
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has thanked Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen for his recent congratulatory message to her.
Mamata hoped that the love and affection between the people of Bangladesh and West Bengal will further be strengthened in the days to come.
Acknowledging Dr Momen’s letter with gratitude, Mamata said the people of West Bengal again voted for development, peace, harmony, unity and solidarity and to strengthen the spirit of those core issues.
Also read: Will work together to overcome Covid crisis: Hasina to Mamata
The Trinamool Congress chief was sworn in as West Bengal Chief Minister for the third straight term on Wednesday after she spearheaded her party to a remarkable victory in the assembly polls.
In her return letter to Dr Momen, Mamata said Bangladesh and West Bengal are attached together by deep friendship, brotherhood, common culture and heritage.
The Chief Minister expressed the hope that they will be able to take the West Bengal State to a greater height, and said good wishes from Bangladesh will certainly help them in their future journey.
On May 5, Dr Momen congratulated Mamata Banerjee for her party Trinamool Congress' historic win in the West Bengal State Assembly elections 2021.
Also read: FM Momen greets Mamata; hopeful of resolving outstanding issues
"We believe, with your cooperation and commitment, the relations between the two countries will be strengthened further and help resolve the outstanding issues," he mentioned in his congratulatory message.
Dhaka wants concerted efforts, shared responsibility for sustainable use of oceans
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday reiterated the significance of concerted efforts and shared responsibility for sustainable use of the oceans and also underscored the vital role of IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) in this regard.
Bangladesh is hosting the three-day 13th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) virtually that began on Tuesday.
Also read:FM seeks cooperation from diplomats in bringing back ...
Dr Momen inaugurated the session on behalf of the host country and delivered the welcome remarks. He stressed the role of the oceans to the development of human civilization and recovery from crisis.
Vo Si Tuan, Chairperson of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific; and Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC Executive Secretary & Assistant Director General of UNESCO also delivered remarks at the inaugural session. Around hundred participants joined the opening day of the three-day session.
The Foreign Minister expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all for joining the event amid the ongoing pandemic.
Dr Momen appreciated the IOC’s role in encouraging scientific research, technical analyses and syntheses of scientific information needed to effectively address emerging environmental issues.
He paid deepest homage to Father of the Nation, architect of Independent Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled his leadership for introducing the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act in 1974.
Will take 2 weeks to get vaccine from alternative sources: FM
The government is exploring Covid vaccines from three alternative sources, Russia, China and the USA, and it will take at least two weeks to complete the process, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday.
“It’s a reasonable time,” he told reporters at his residence, adding that talks with India are also underway to get at least 2 to 3 million doses of vaccine for addressing Bangladesh’s immediate need.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present at the briefing.
Also Read: Bangladesh approves emergency use of Russian Sputnik V vaccine
The US will begin sharing its entire stock of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines with the world once it clears federal safety reviews, the White House said on Monday, with as many as 60 million doses expected to be available for export in the coming months.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh can allow the emergency use of vaccines from Russia and China. "We'll collect the vaccine wherever we get it."
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh requested China to supply vaccines to Bangladesh as soon as possible. In reply, the Chinese side said they will work with Bangladesh to that end.
He said there is a necessity for the supply of vaccine following delay and subsequent “halt” on supply of vaccine from India to Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh’s plan was effective but there is a new wave with a sharp rise of infection cases recently.
Responding to a question, he said the government is exploring direct purchase of vaccines from Russia on a G-to-G basis. Bangladesh has already approved the emergency use of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V.
Dr Momen briefed the journalists at his residence after a China-led virtual meeting that discussed cooperation among countries to deal with the Covid-19 situation, including setting up of “Covid Emergency Medical Storage Facility”.
Also Read: FM to join China-led virtual meeting on vaccine cooperation
He said China shared three ideas, including installing a development centre, to deal with post-Covid poverty and an e-Commerce Forum.
“We should believe in multilateralism. We laid emphasis on cooperation and partnership,” said the Foreign Minister.
FM to join China-led virtual meeting on vaccine cooperation
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will join a China-led virtual meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation to deal with the Covid-19 situation.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has also invited his counterparts in four other South Asian countries to join the virtual meeting, scheduled to begin at 2pm, a senior official told UNB.
They will discuss issues related to "Emergency Storage Facility" to help South Asian countries during an emergency situation.
Also read: Covid vaccine: Dhaka agrees on Beijing’s proposal to set up emergency storage facility
Bangladesh, in principle, has agreed on a Chinese proposal to set up an "Emergency Storage Facility" for Covid-19 related medical supplies to ensure quick supply of those among the South Asian countries during any emergency need.
Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are not producing Covid-19 vaccines, have also received a similar proposal from China and agreed on it.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen said Bangladesh received the proposal on April 15.
The Foreign Minister will seek further details on the proposal today. There was a meeting at the secretary level in this regard.
Dr Momen said China will give 6 lakh doses of vaccine as a gift and hoped that Bangladesh will get a vaccine through commercial purchase soon.
Also read: Hopeful of getting rest of vaccine doses from India as scheduled: FM
Bangladesh has received 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) vaccines through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
This is the largest amount sent from India to any country.
Also read: Nothing to worry about vaccine stock: FM
Dhaka mourns loss of lives in Indonesian submarine tragedy
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed his deep condolences over the loss of lives following the disappearance of an Indonesian submarine.
Indonesia’s military on Sunday officially said all 53 crew members from a submarine that sank and broke apart last week are dead, and that search teams had located the vessel’s wreckage on the ocean floor.
In a message sent to Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno L P Marsudi, Dr Momen conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the Indonesian Government and the brotherly people of Indonesia.
He expressed his deep sympathy to the members of the berived families.
Dr Momen hoped that the grief struck relatives of the fallen crew members of the submarine would have the strength to bear with the tragedy. He prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls.
He wished the Foreign Minister happiness, good health and long life.
Dr Momen expected continued peace and prosperity of brotherly people of Indonesia.
Border with India to remain shut for 14 days: FM
Bangladesh has decided to close its border with India for any kind of movement except that of cargoes for the next 14 days from Monday (April 26, 2021) to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
"Yes, but the movement of cargoes carrying goods will continue," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB over the phone on Sunday.
The decision taken against the backdrop of the worsening covid-19 situation will become effective from 6am on Monday.
As per the decision, general movements of humans between Bangladesh and India will temporarily stay suspended through the land ports.
The Bangladeshi citizens currently travelling to India for treatment and having visas with validity for less than 15 days could enter Bangladesh through only Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari after taking permission from Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala and with a mandatory Covid-negative certificate done through PCR test within seventy-two hours of entry.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily deaths shoot past 100; new cases fall dramatically
People entering Bangladesh through this process would have to stay officially quarantined for two weeks.
Except for the aforementioned three land ports, all kinds of human movements through all other land ports between the two countries would completely stay suspended for two weeks.
The vehicles carrying imported goods from India would have to be properly sterilised before entering Bangladesh borders.
The drivers and helpers concerned would have to observe the Covid-19 safety protocol strictly.
Railroads will be encouraged for export and import of goods between the two countries in this period.
Also read: Shutting border with India: Experts praise it as prudent decision
Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala would convey the relevant information in this regard to the authorities concerned in India in the light of the friendly relations between the two countries.
The above decisions will be in effect for two weeks and will be revised in due time, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The decisions have been taken in an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen and attended by High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India; Secretary, Security Services Division, Ministry of Home Affairs; Secretary (East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Additional Secretary, Cabinet Division; and representatives of PMO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Commerce, BGB and Bangladesh Missions in Kolkata and Agartala.
Bangladesh is operating special flights to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Singapore to facilitate departure of expatriate workers to those countries.
India’s crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors, reports AP from New Delhi.
Also read: India's COVID-19 tally nearing 17 mln
For the fourth straight day, India on Sunday set a global daily record for new infections, spurred by an insidious, new variant that emerged here, undermining the government’s premature claims of victory over the pandemic.
The 349,691 confirmed cases over the past day brought India’s total to more than 16.9 million, behind only the United States.
The Indian Health Ministry reported another 2,767 deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing India’s Covid-19 fatalities to 192,311.
Experts say that toll could be a huge undercount, as suspected cases are not included, and many deaths from the infection are being attributed to underlying conditions, according to AP.
Leaders' Summit on Climate: Dhaka optimistic about $100 billion fund
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Friday expressed optimism over the promised international financial flow of US$100 billion, saying money is not a problem but the political commitment matters.
“I’m very optimistic as always. The most important thing is political commitment,” he said, noting that they have seen that commitment through the “Leaders Summit on Climate” hosted by US President Joe Biden.
Dr Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pushed for the annual target of mobilising $100 billion as committed by developed countries in her speech at the Summit on Thursday.
In a virtual briefing, the Foreign Minister said they have to know how to get the money, and money is not a problem if there is a political commitment.
He termed the Leaders’ Summit on Climate is a “breakthrough” and expressed satisfaction over the commitment of the global leaders.
The Foreign Minister referred to the emissions target set by the US by 2030 and commitment by countries like China, Japan, Germany, Canada and the European countries, and said these are “beautiful statements.”
Also read: Al Jazeera report on Bhasan Char false; part of it has vindictive approach: FM
“It seems there’s political push behind it, commitment is there,” he said, adding that these are very encouraging news for countries like Bangladesh.
Bangladesh stressed that the funding should be distributed at a ratio of 50:50 between mitigation and adaptation. At the same time, adaptation without mitigation is not a good strategy.
“We’ve a breakthrough in this dialogue and debate for the initiative taken by the US,” said the Foreign Minister.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put forward four suggestions to global leaders to fight climate change challenges with a strong collective response.
Her suggestions include announcing an immediate and ambitious action plan by developed countries to reduce their carbon emissions to keep the global temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius with focus on mitigation measures; and ensuring the annual target of 100 billion US dollars which should be balanced 50:50 between adaptation and mitigation with a special attention to the vulnerable countries while pursuing losses and damages.
The other two suggestions are: Major economies, international financial institutions and private sectors should come forward with plans for concessional climate financing as well as innovation; and focusing on green economy and carbon neutral technologies with a provision of technology transfer among nations.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, was among others, present at the virtual media briefing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Russian President Vladimir Puti, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the participants at the Summit invited by the US President.
The Leaders’ Summit on Climate underscored the urgency - and the economic benefits - of stronger climate action.
The Summit also highlighted examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts.
It is seen as a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.
A key goal of COP26 will be to catalyze efforts that keep that 1.5-degree goal within reach.
The entire world faces “a moment of peril” but also “a moment of opportunity,” Biden declared, speaking from a TV-style chrome-blue set for the virtual summit of 40 world leaders.
The participants appeared one after other onscreen for what appeared to be a mix of live and recorded addresses.
“The signs are unmistakable,” Biden said. “The science is undeniable. The cost of inaction keeps mounting.”
Biden’s new U.S. commitment, timed to the summit, would cut America’s fossil fuel emissions as much as 52% by 2030.
It comes after four years of international withdrawal from the issue under President Donald Trump, who mocked the science of climate change and pulled the US out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate accord, reports AP.
Covid vaccine: Dhaka agrees on Beijing’s proposal to set up emergency storage facility
Bangladesh, in principle, has agreed on a Chinese proposal to set up an "Emergency COVID-19 Vaccine Storage Facility" to ensure quick supply of vaccines among the South Asian countries during emergency.
Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are not producing Covid vaccines, have also received a similar proposal from China and agreed on it.
“We said we don’t have any objection. We, in principle, like it (the proposal). Any country might have an emergency need,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters on Thursday.
Also read: Nothing to worry about vaccine stock: FM
Bangladesh received the proposal on April 15 and a minister-level meeting will be held on April 27, he said.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh sought further details on the proposal, noting that there was a meeting at the secretary level in this regard.
Dr Momen said a minister-level meeting will be held on April 27 to discuss the proposal in detail.
Also read: Will do our best to support vaccine rollout in neighbouring countries: India
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Thursday said China has taken note of the “recent grave situation” in India with a temporary shortage of anti-epidemic medical supplies.
“We stand ready to provide India with necessary support and assistance to get the epidemic under control,” he said.
Dr Momen said China will give 6 lakh doses of vaccine as a gift and hoped that Bangladesh will get a vaccine through commercial purchase soon.
Also read: Covid vaccines should be declared as global public goods: PM Hasina
Bangladesh has received 7 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
This is the largest amount sent from India to any country.