foreign minister
Nothing to worry about vaccine stock: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said there is no reason to be worried about Covid-19 vaccine stock, noting that Bangladesh will have enough vaccine jabs as planned, including a gift of 6 lakh doses from China.
“We’ve enough stock. We’ve made a lineup. We’ll have enough. China will give 6 lakh doses of vaccine as a gift. We don’t have to worry about it... we’re okay,” he said.
Bangladesh has received 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses 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.
Talking to reporters at his residence, Dr Momen said the two health ministries of Russia and Bangladesh agreed in principle on the proposal of vaccine coproduction in Bangladesh.
Also read: Will do our best to support vaccine rollout in neighbouring countries: India
“We’re on the same page. Our Health Ministry knows the details. Things will be finalised by the Health Ministry,” said the Foreign Minister.
He said Bangladesh will also purchase vaccine doses from Russia.
Talking to UNB last week, the Foreign Minister revealed that Russia proposed Bangladesh to go for a co-production of vaccines. “It’s not bad. We’re keeping our options open.”
He said Russia will give the technology and Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies will produce the Russian vaccine here if things go well. “It’ll be cheap and hopefully it’ll be better.”
Responding to a question on discussion with the USA, Dr Momen said the United States has assured of making Covid-19 vaccines available for other countries, including Bangladesh, once they have surplus reaching the level of mass vaccination in the US.
“I can assure you when we can reach the level of the critical mass vaccination and we’ve surplus, we’ll absolutely make vaccines available in whatever different ways,” John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate told reporters during his recent visit to Bangladesh.
Also read: Covid vaccines should be declared as global public goods: PM Hasina
Despite high demand in India, Bangladesh hopes that India will supply the rest of the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh as agreed between the two countries but keeps other options open.
Bangladesh has purchased three crore doses of the vaccine from Serum Institute and the first shipment of 50 lakh arrived here in January last week while the second consignment of 20 lakh doses of Covid-19 came in February.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged the high demand for vaccines globally, including the demand by some political leaders in India to halt export.
“I think it won’t be applicable for us as we made arrangements and made advance payment. India announced the vaccine will be delivered as per schedule. And we believe it,” Dr Momen said.
Once China had shown much interest to give vaccines to Bangladesh but Bangladesh was reluctant at that time as their vaccine was not approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), he said.
Also read: Hopeful of getting rest of vaccine doses from India as scheduled: FM
Dr Momen said China administered vaccines for their vast population, which they say without any side-effects apart from proving their vaccine to over 50 countries. “We’re continuing discussion with them (China) again so that they can help us.”
India has also approved the use of Russian Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said.
Bangladesh was one of the few countries to get the vaccine first joining hands with its neighbour India amid high demand for it globally.
“It could have been possible due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s prudent leadership and farsightedness. She took the initiative from day one,” Dr Momen added.
Al Jazeera report on Bhasan Char false; part of it has vindictive approach: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday trashed Al Jazeera’s latest report on Bhasan Char saying it is based on false information and part of its "vindictive approach" towards Muslim majority countries.
"They're doing it from day one. Their aim is to confuse people with false information," he told UNB.
The Foreign Minister said it is Al Jazeera's "vindictive approach" towards any Muslim government, specially against the countries which are doing well.
The Qatar-based media reported that aid agencies warned that with the cyclone season fast approaching, a group of Rohingya refugees on Bhashan Char could be stranded and face food shortages when severe storms strike.
The Foreign Minister said some people were interviewed in the report and their faces were covered.
Also read: Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities
"It's their job to run false news. So, nothing to say about it," said the Foreign Minister.
On the technical team’s observation on Bhasan Char, the Foreign Minister earlier told UNB that “They’ve a very good and positive observation. Concisely, they’ve given a positive observation.”
He said they will hand over a 10-page report based on their observation and they have already submitted a two-page synopsis.
An 18-member UN delegation visited Bhasan Char in March to take a first-hand view of the housing facility for 100,000 Rohingyas.
In their two-page synopsis, the team pointed out three points – education for Rohingya children, increasing height of the embankments and better communication system.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has no problem in providing education to Rohingyas but it has to be in Myanmar language.
“Rohingyas will have to go back to Myanmar. So, education in Myanmar curriculum will help Rohingyas integrate in their society easily once they return to home,” he said.
Regarding further increasing the height of the embankments, Dr Momen said they will certainly do it for their own needs.
On communication, the Foreign Minister said they can go to Bhasan Char through Sandwip as it will take 30 minutes if they follow that route. “There’ll be no problem regarding communication with Bhasan Char.”
He said Bhasan Char is one of the 75 islands in Bangladesh and it is 10 times bigger than St Martin’s Island.
Also read: Bangladesh to demand 10pc of funds for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char: FM
Responding to a question on diplomats’ visit, Dr Momen said they expressed satisfaction seeing the arrangement there with solid structures. “They’ve appreciated the arrangement very much. They liked it.”
“I had a discussion with two diplomats. They have liked Bhasan Char,” said the Foreign Minister.
On April 3, the Rohingyas, now living in Bhasan Char, interacted with the foreign diplomats and expressed their willingness to return to their homeland in Myanmar.
They conveyed their "high satisfaction" over the existing facilities in Bhasan Char, which they considered safe, secured crime-free compared to the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The Rohingyas profusely thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh for the exemplary humanitarian support that have been extended to the Rohingyas since the mass exodus.
“I want my children to grow with their own national identity in their own country,” a Rohingya representative was quoted as conveying to the diplomats who visited Bhasan Char.
Some Rohingyas underscored the need to expand learning facilities for children and provide them opportunities for farming and fishing which would help in keeping them active.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the day-long trip to Bhasan Char for the Heads of Missions of ten Embassies/delegation - Turkey, EU, USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
The Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char, which started from December 4 last year, is in alignment with the GOB’s overall efforts towards repatriation.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will demand 10 percent of the fund that the humanitarian agencies raise in the name of Bangladesh and Rohingyas if they do not provide services to 100,000 Rohingyas to be shifted to Bhasan Char gradually.
“Yes, they’ll have to pay because the fund is coming for Rohingyas. We’ll demand 10 percent of the fund if they don’t want to provide services to Rohingyas in Bhasan Char,” he told UNB in an interview at his residence recently.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and the government has a plan to shift 100000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char gradually which has already started.
Also read: AL Jazeera report ill-motivated: Army Chief
The Foreign Minister said it should not be the headache of the humanitarian agencies where Rohingyas are living.
“It’s not a matter whether Rohingyas are living in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal or in Bhasan Char. That shouldn’t be their headache. Their headache should be providing services to Rohingyas. They’re obligated to give them services wherever they stay,” Dr Momen said.
If the humanitarian agencies do not provide services to Rohingyas, Member States will not give funds which will put them in hardship, he said.
The Foreign Minister said they do not know how the UNHCR and other agencies spend the money though they raise funds in the name of Rohingyas and host communities.
FM: Bangladesh’s points to be on agenda of Biden's Climate Summit
The “Leaders’ Summit on Climate”, set to be held later this week, will largely incorporate the issues raised by Bangladesh on its agenda as the United States is “giving much importance” to Bangladesh as its partner to tackle the climate crisis, says the Foreign Minister.
“They’ve much interest in Bangladesh. They’ve taken a note of key issues that should come up in the Summit agenda,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB during an interaction at his residence.
The US praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her leadership in the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and she will be "recognised for Bangladesh's leadership" of the countries, especially vulnerable to climate impacts, during the Climate Summit.
US President Joe Biden, who took action on his first day in office to return the United States to the Paris Agreement, has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to join the Summit to be held on April 22 and 23.
Bangladesh talked about the significance of the promised international financial flow at and beyond US$100 billion annually to support sustainable development and energy transformations of the developing economies.
Bangladesh stressed that the funding should be distributed at a 50:50 ratio between mitigation and adaptation at the same time noting that adaptation without mitigation is not a good strategy.
On the issue of the national determined contribution (NDC), Foreign Minister Momen emphasised on behalf of Bangladesh as well as the CVF that all countries need to work hard to fulfill their NDCs at the earliest.
“We talked about US$ 100 billion financial flow and the issue of NDC. Hopefully, these will be included in the agenda,” Dr Momen said.
S Asia becoming centre of attention for int'l diplomacy with implications for Bangladesh: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the South Asian region, as in 1971, is again becoming a "centre of attention for international diplomacy, with profound implications for Bangladesh" and its place in the world.
"I thank all our friends in the international community who have consistently stood by Bangladesh and held on to their faith in our potentials," he said in a video message marking the Foreign Service Day-2021 that falls on April 18.
This year, the Foreign Service Day is being observed as part of twin celebrations for the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence.
On 18 April 1971, 65 Bengali officials serving at the Deputy High Commission of Pakistan in Kolkata pledged their allegiance to the independent Bangladesh under the leadership of the late M. Hossain Ali, the Deputy High Commissioner at the time.
This was the first time the flag of independent Bangladesh was raised at a Chancery in a foreign soil.
Also read: Hopeful of getting rest of vaccine doses from India as scheduled: FM
Prior to this day, the late Ambassador KM Shehabuddin and Amzadul Haque, two officers then posted to New Delhi, defected from the Pakistan High Commission on 06 April 1971.
These acts of courage and patriotism were followed by a number of Bengali officers serving in diplomatic missions in North America, Europe and other parts of the world, Dr Momen said.
"On this Foreign Service Day, at this critical juncture of our nation, I am joined by my colleagues in the Ministry and our Missions abroad to reaffirm our resolve to face the unforeseen challenges coming our way, and also to seize the unbounded opportunities that beckon Bangladesh, a land of opportunity," he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh Foreign Service carries the proud legacy as its innate source of inspiration and guidance and it stands tall on the foundational dictum of ‘Friendship to All, Malice towards None’, boldly asserted by Bangabandhu.
"This succinct motto proved to be time-tested and almost prophetic during the fifty years of Bangladesh’s diplomatic pursuits, even throughout successive regime changes," he said.
The Foreign Minister said Bangabandhu’s diplomatic acumen and foresight, demonstrated before and after independence, have been ably inherited by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
With her characteristic conviction and patience, he said, Sheikh Hasina has taken Bangladesh to new height of international diplomacy – be that for peacefully settling disputes, or opening up new avenues for regional connectivity, or taking lead for the climate vulnerable countries or giving shelter to millions of persecuted Rohingya in a rare humanitarian gesture.
Dr Momen said many accolades showered on her by prominent world leaders during Golden Jubilee celebrations speak for themselves.
Bangladesh received 147 congratulatory messages and 30 video messages from the global leaders.
The geo-political significance of Bangladesh’s economic rise and development credentials are now unmistakable to foreign policy pundits, he said.
The Foreign Minister said they are now grooming new generation of Foreign Service officers who will bravely reach out to the world with Bangabandhu’s vision of a Sonar Bangla engraved in their mind and the ‘can-do’ spirit instilled in their heart by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"I personally feel humbled to see our officials braving the challenges of the ongoing pandemic to render their services in hotspots in different parts of the world," he said.
Diplomacy, Dr Momen thinks, is an art that draws strength from the whole of society and gets supported by the whole of government.
Also read: Coordinated efforts made to ensure expats' comfortable return to 5 countries: FM
"On this auspicious occasion, I pay tribute to our nearly 12 million-strong expatriate community across the globe for their contributions to our nation-building and international branding," he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was hoping to observe the Day in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which they had to defer due to the pandemic-induced strict lockdown currently in place.
Indeed, Dr Momen said, Bangladesh’s contributions to international peace, development and humanitarian work have been the outcome of the dedicated hard work of many at the Foreign Service that the nation at 50th anniversary can definitely feel proud of.
"On this Foreign Service Day, we owe a debt of gratitude to all our officials and their family members serving missions for their contributions to upholding the image of our nation abroad over the last five decades," he said.
Dr Momen extended warmest greetings and felicitations to all his colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Missions abroad.
Hopeful of getting rest of vaccine doses from India as scheduled: FM
Despite its high demand in India, Dhaka hopes that New Delhi will supply the rest of the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh as agreed between the two countries with other options open.
“India is telling us that it’ll (March consignment) come but yet to arrive. We believe in their assurance,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB in an interview at his residence.
He said Bangladesh received 3.2 million doses of vaccine as a gift from India but the consignment of 5 million doses that was scheduled to arrive in March from India is yet to come.
Read Covishield and Covaxin: What we know about India's Covid-19 vaccines
Bangladesh has purchased three crore doses of the vaccine from the Serum Institute and the first shipment of 50 lakh arrived here in January last week while the second consignment of 20 lakh doses of Covid-19 came in February.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged the high demand of vaccines globally, including the demand by some political leaders in India to halt export.
“I think it won’t be applicable for us as we’ve made arrangements and made advance payment. India announced the vaccine will be delivered as per schedule. And we believe it,” Dr Momen said.
Also read: Funding for vaccine procurement earmarked in deals with WB, ADB: Dr Meerjady
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to place an immediate moratorium on the export of vaccines, fast track approval of other vaccines and open up vaccination to everyone who needs it.
Coordinated efforts made to ensure expats' comfortable return to 5 countries: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Friday said the government has made coordinated efforts to help expatriates return to their workplaces in five countries by special flights from Saturday without any hassle.
“Many reached out to us after the announcement of lockdown saying they’ll lose their jobs if they can’t go abroad, and their visa validity or Iqama will expire. We don’t want to see our expatriates face any difficulty,” he told UNB.
Also read:Development Bangladesh's priority, not defence equipment: FM
The government decided to allow airlines, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines, to operate special flights to five countries -- Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore -- in an effort to help stranded Bangladeshi expatriate workers join their workplaces.
Asked about possible rise in ticket fare, the Foreign Minister said normally the fares of special flight tickets remain comparatively higher than that of regular flight tickets as the return flights will be empty.
However, he said, the ground handling charge will remain the same which will help keep the ticket fares at a tolerable level.
Dr Momen said travel arrangements will be made on a priority basis for those who have visas and work permits.
Those who bought tickets for April 14, 15 and 16 but could not leave Dhaka for their destination due to suspension of flight operations, arrangements will be made for them, too on a priority basis so that they can reach their destinations, he said.
Also read: World starts looking at Bangladesh in a new light: FM
Dr Momen said the government has made arrangements to bring those passengers in Dhaka who purchased tickets from Chattogram as the special flights will be operated from Dhaka only.
“We’re seeking to maintain the normal schedule for the special flights but it would not be known as commercial flights,” said the Foreign Minister.
He said the relevant ministries and departments are working in a coordinated way, and police will not stop them who booked tickets and have Covid-19 test reports. “We’re working in a coordinated way.”
The government has decided to discourage expatriate Bangladeshis to return home during the lockdown, unless there is an emergency.
“If they come, they’ll have to follow a minimum 14-day mandatory institutional quarantine,” Dr Momen said.
To convey the message to expatriates, support from the social media platforms, Bangladesh missions’ websites and community leaders will be taken.
Each of the returnees will have to show Covid-19 negative certificate which is a must, and the Bangladesh missions abroad will prepare the lists of those who need to come to Bangladesh on an emergency need.
Also read:Singapore, Romania to recruit 12,000 Bangladeshis: FM
The Armed Forces Division will take adequate preparations for institutional quarantine facilities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.
The decisions were taken at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday chaired by Foreign Minister Dr Momen.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and senior officials of the ministries concerned attended.
Among the expatriate Bangladeshi workers who want to go to these five countries having BMET clearance issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, will be given priority in flying abroad.
However, in the case of these countries, those who have visit visas, but do not have BMET clearance, will not get priority in going abroad.
Bangladeshis who will go to the UAE for work with visit visas can get a BMET clearance.
During the lockdown, those who wish to travel to countries other than the five mentioned countries in the case of emergency will be able to travel on special flights as transit-passengers subject to clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Govt to expats: Don’t come during lockdown, except for emergencies
The government has decided to discourage expatriate Bangladeshis from returning home during lockdown, unless facing an emergency.
Bangladesh Missions abroad are being engaged to disseminate the message among expat communities in various countries.
To convey the message to expatriates, support from the social media platforms, Bangladesh Missions’ websites and community leaders will be taken.
However, the expatriates will be able to return to home from abroad in case there is any emergency need with a condition of mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine.
Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17
Each of the returnees will have to show Covid-19 negative certificate which is a must and the Bangladesh Missions abroad will prepare the list of those who need to come to Bangladesh on an emergency need.
The Armed Forces Division will take adequate preparations for institutional quarantine facilities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.
The decisions were taken at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday chaired by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
Health Minister, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and senior officials of the ministries concerned attended.
The government has decided to allow airlines including Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate special flights to five countries - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore from April 17 in an effort to help stranded Bangladeshi expatriate workers can join their workplaces.
Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers
Among the expatriate Bangladeshi workers who want to go to these five countries having BMET clearance issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, they will be given priority in going abroad.
However, in the case of these countries, those who have a visit visa, but do not have BMET clearance, will not get priority in going abroad.
Bangladeshis who will go to the UAE for work with a visit visa can get a BMET clearance.
During the lockdown, those who wish to travel to countries other than the five mentioned countries in case of emergency will be able to travel on special flights as transit-passengers subject to clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nature of peacekeeping has changed: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the nature of peacekeeping has changed due to the use of advanced technology and sophisticated weapons, the misuse of social media and the ongoing global epidemic.
He made the remarks at the “Army Chiefs' Conclave” at multipurpose complex of Dhaka Cantonment.
Bangladesh Army organised the seminar with the participation of local and foreign military and civilian dignitaries.
Also read: Bangladesh tops in UN Peacekeeping Mission
Foreign Minister Momen said meaningful mutual cooperation, increased participation of women and development of health-related emergencies were essential to address the challenges posed by this unprecedented global epidemic in establishing world peace.
The main topic of discussion at the seminar was ‘Future Trend of Global Conflict: The Role of UN Peacekeepers’.
Vaccines to be made available for others depending on surplus: Kerry
The United States has assured of making Covid-19 vaccines available for other countries including Bangladesh once they have surplus.
“I can assure you when we can reach the level of the critical mass vaccination and we’ve surplus, we’ll absolutely make vaccines available in whatever different ways,” said John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
While responding to a question at a joint briefing on Friday, Kerry said US President Joe Biden believes deeply that they have a responsibility - moral and practical - to bring the whole world back from this break.
Also read: Make no mistake; take action: Kerry on dealing with climate crisis together
He, however, said he cannot give the numbers and schedule but he can guarantee that there is a concerted effort to reach out globally to help all with this pandemic. “We all benefit by getting this pandemic conquered.”
Make no mistake; take action: Kerry on dealing with climate crisis together
John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, on Friday laid emphasis on taking action without taking any mistake to deal with the global climate crisis noting that the US administration is looking for greater collaboration with Bangladesh on the issue.
“So, we know from the scientists - we must all take action,” he said seeking joint efforts to protect the countries, citizens and the future generations as no single country can solve the climate crisis today.
Kerry made the remarks at a joint media briefing at State guesthouse Padma after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the same venue.
“We’ve the ability to work together now in order to bring technology, research, development and finance to the table to do what we know we must do,” he said.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin, Saber Hossain Chowdhy, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Special Envoy for the Vulnerable Forum Presidency Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller were present.
The visit underscored the US commitment to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change designed to limit global warming.
Also read: US focuses on Myanmar issues; lauds Bangladesh's extraordinary generosity
As part of the Paris outcome, developed countries were urged to scale up their level of support with a concrete roadmap to achieve the goal of mobilising US$100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries.