Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen
Climate Change: Momen urges global community for more support to developing countries
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today urged the international community to scale up financial and technological support for the developing countries to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the resulting cost-of-living crisis around the world, aggravated by sanctions and counter-sanctions, cannot be a pretext for diminishing or diverting the much needed financing for tackling the climate crisis in order to save planet earth, he said.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the global hub of Locally Led Adaptation (LLA), Momen said the government of Bangladesh stands ready to provide full support to the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) to achieve the goal of the global hub which is to promote Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) at scale, with speed, to reduce climate risks for populations and sections of society that are most vulnerable to climate change.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the launching ceremony virtually as the chief guest.
"The kind presence of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at this launch is clear testimony to our unstinting support," Momen said.
Read more: $230bn needed: PM seeks support from global partners to implement climate adaptation plan
The Foreign Minister congratulated Ban Ki-moon and the entire GCA team once again.
"I feel personally pleased to be able to serve as a member of the GCA Governing Body. The launch of the Global Hub today is indeed a positive step forward from our decision to host the GCA Regional Office in Dhaka. Soon we plan to organize other events," he said.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the Board, Global Center on Adaptation Ban Ki-moon, Chief Executive Officer, Global Center on Adaptation Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson spoke at the launching ceremony held at Foreign Service Academy.
Momen thanked the government of the United Kingdom for its support in establishing the global hub. "I hope, following the UK, other countries/ institutions will come forward with generous funding."
Each year, Momen said, more than 6,50,000 people of Bangladesh are being uprooted from their homes, from their traditional jobs, due to erratic climate changes and global warming and river erosion and the government has the responsibility to rehabilitate them although the government has no role in contributing to their uprooting.
There are varieties of estimates that say that around 20% of the coastal areas of Bangladesh will be flooded, and there could be millions uprooted from their homes.
"If millions of people are uprooted from their homes it will create a global security problem," Momen said, adding that "before such a situation happens, I would request global leaders to come forward to share the burden of their rehabilitation and also take corrective action so that that situation never happens."
The Foreign Minister said, "Our journey with GCA is promising and progressing. It pleases me to witness that over a span of just 2 years, GCA and the Bangladesh Government have developed the adaptation activities."
Read more: New abnormal: Climate disaster damage ‘down’ to $268 billion
Bangladesh is ready to share similar home-grown solutions such as floating agriculture, rainwater harvesting, early warning system, climate resistant crop varieties with other vulnerable countries through this Global Hub, he said.
Momen inaugurates ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ and ‘Bangabandhu garden’ at NIT, Silchar
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen inaugurated ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ and ‘Bangabandhu Garden’ at the APJ Abdul Kalam Learning and Resource Center of India’s National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar situated in Assam State on Saturday.
Later, Momen attended a discussion and cultural program held at the institute’s Bhupen Hazarika Auditorium as the chief guest, where he thanked the Indian government for honoring Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Read more: Bangabandhu corners are not just rooms with pictures, books: Momen
“Through the establishment of Mujib Corner at South Asia’s largest digital library, the students of NIT will get a chance to know more about the life, struggles and achievements of Bangabandhu. Besides, the students will also learn about Bangladesh’s long struggle for freedom and India’s contribution during the Liberation War of Bangladesh,” Momen said.
Bangladesh urges Indian Ocean nations to work together to promote blue economy
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday called for developing a cooperative mechanism among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean to promote collaboration for reaping maximum benefits of the blue economy.
"Bangladesh believes that the regional vision for the blue economy must be supported by a balanced integration of the economic, social and environmental elements of development," he told the IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) Business Forum Leadership Summit at a city hotel.
Read more: Russian Ambassador instead of FM to represent the country in IORA meeting
Momen said optimal use of the marine resources – categorized as blue economy- has been recognized as one of the key components of sustainable development.
Bangladesh, he said, considers blue economy as one of the cornerstones of its economic growth and socio-economic development.
Chairman of the Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum Sheikh Fazle Fahim and Secretary-General IORA Ambassador Salman Al Farisi also spoke.
Bangladesh, as the current chair of IORA, is going to host the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) under the theme “Harnessing the opportunities of the Indian Ocean sustainably for inclusive development” on November 24.
"I believe the council will definitely take note of the suggestions of this business forum regarding the recovery from the impact of pandemic," Momen said.
Read more: IORA meeting to be successful with more avenues of cooperation: Shahriar
He said there is a need for a sustained dialogue among business leaders, scholars, practitioners and policy makers to identify and deliberate on various economic challenges confronting the region, identify mechanisms to address those and evolve new frameworks for co-operation with the regional countries.
IORA has evolved into an important regional group spanning the Indian Ocean through sustained dialogue and cooperation and now is playing as a key driving force to ensure development, peace and stability in the region, Momen said.
Bangladesh broadens its sources for energy supply; no shortage of dollars: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the government broadened its network of sources for energy supply through successful discussion with a number of friendly countries.
“We had limited sources before. Now, we have widened the sources of the network. We have made it very successfully,” he told reporters after attending a prize giving ceremony at Buet playground.
Read more: Dhaka, Moscow discuss energy cooperation
Momen said the energy crisis is now a global crisis as there is a disruption in the supply chain and financial transaction due to the war in Ukraine.
He mentioned his successful discussion with the ministers of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where there is plenty of oil stock.
Momen said the countries like Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia are also willing to supply energy to Bangladesh.
“Even, China is willing to supply energy if Bangladesh faces a crisis. You see more nations are coming,” he said.
Read more: Come with money, technology in green energy sector, Nasrul tells development partners
Momen said Bangladesh will soon manage the situation and there will be availability of energy. “We will do whatever is needed for the welfare of the country.”
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said there is no dollar crisis in the country. After paying $1.35 billion to Asian Clearing Union (ACU) as an import bill for September-October and $131 million spent to meet LC liabilities, the forex reserves stood at $34.3 billion at the end of November 7.
Momen said the forex reserves fluctuated from US$ 3 billion to US$ 3.5 billion during the period of 2001-2006.
“There is no shortage of foreign currency. It's plenty of money for a few months of import,” said the foreign minister.
Momen said there is no reason to stop issuance of LC (letter of credit), rather the government is taking action to check over invoicing. “This is good. They should examine or reexamine all the documents. This is not bad at all.”
Saudi Deputy Interior Minister to visit Dhaka November
Bangladesh, KSA to hold JEC talks in Riyadh October 30-31
Energy-rich Saudi Deputy Minister of Interior Dr.Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Daoud will visit Bangladesh in the second week of November.
Before the planned visit, Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will hold the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting which will be held on October 30-31 in Riyadh.
The Saudi Deputy Minister is likely to visit Dhaka on November 11-12.
Bangladesh and KSA are likely to sign two agreements including security cooperation during the visit.
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef Essa Alduhailan met Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at his office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Momen expressed readiness and full cooperation from his office in making the visit fruitful.
They exchanged views on various bilateral issues of mutual interests.
The Ambassador expressed satisfaction at the state of excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia which is growing rapidly encompassing various fields including political, economic, defense, manpower, business, trade and investment.
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister and the Saudi envoy discussed and reviewed various issues of the existing and prospective investment initiatives including power and renewable energy sectors and new proposals under consideration from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh.
The Minister stated that his office was ready to push forward any proposals from the Saudi side in making headways.
While reflecting on the current energy crisis in view of the Russia- Ukraine war, Momen said Bangladesh needed brotherly gesture from Saudi Arabia in meeting its energy need and urged the Ambassador to look into the possible Saudi investment in the LNG sector.
The Saudi envoy stated that he would take up the issue with the concerned Saudi stakeholders.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the progress and development under the present leadership and welcomed the recent appointment of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Congratulating the new leadership for his dynamic role for the Muslim world, he stated that people were looking forward to according a warm welcome to the Prime Minister to Bangladesh.
Welcoming the proposal, the Saudi Ambassador underlined the need for the Minister to undertake a visit to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Foreign Minister for his continuous support and guidance to take forward the bilateral engagements to new heights including Bangladesh’s valuable support to Saudi Arabia in the multilateral fora.
Bangladesh worried about Rohingyas, situation in Myanmar: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh is "much worried" about the Rohingyas and the current situation in Myanmar.
“We keep telling the Myanmar government….they give us assurance always,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noting that it seems many things are beyond their control.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single person was repatriated over the last five years since the influx in 2017.
Responding to a question, Momen said it is a “very complex issue” and many kinds of operators are there (inside Myanmar).
He said there is no presence of ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) here and Bangladesh does not promote or shelter any such foreign entity on its territory.
Momen said Bangladesh sought support from China on the issue of stability and believed that the Chinese side had conveyed it to Myanmar but in many cases things are beyond the control of Myanmar.
He said Bangladesh maintains a very good relationship with all the countries - friendship to all, malice to none - and they work under PM’s directives.
“We want to work with all,” Momen said, adding that Bangladesh maintains a very balanced foreign policy.
Teesta Project
Responding to a question on possible engagement of China in a Teesta-related project, Momen said they have not received any such proposal officially yet.
He, however, mentioned about a French experts group’s visit (1988-89) who worked on a comprehensive study (including Teesta) on how floods can be controlled in Bangladesh.
The project could not be taken at that time due to lack of required funds but recently, he said, they have heard about funding for the old project.
Momen encouraged the reporters to ask the relevant ministry saying they might know at what stage it is now.
On October 9, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming visited Rangpur division and talked with local people at the Teesta Barrage.
On October 10, the ambassador visited the bridge project under construction by CSCEC over Teesta River in Gaibandha district of Rangpur division.
No more refugees from Myanmar this time: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said no refugees would be allowed to enter Bangladesh this time in light of the internal conflict in Myanmar.
“However, we have information this time they won’t be coming toward Bangladesh,” he told journalists after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's video conference with tea workers on Saturday.
Momen said different armed groups and the ruling junta have been locked in clashes in Myanmar recently.
Also read: Security tightened along border after firing from Myanmar side: Police
During such incidents, he said, Myanmar nationals run towards Bangladesh fearing atrocities.
"Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) has already been instructed to remain vigilant so that no one can enter Bangladesh,” Momen said.
On Saturday morning, two helicopters and two aircraft reportedly appeared between pillar No 40 and 41 under Reju Amtali BGB BOP in Ghumdhum union of the Naikhonchhari upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
Locals reported firing from the aircrafts and dropping of two mortar shells near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
Law enforcement agencies have further strengthened security measures along Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Naikhongchhari point after the reported firing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe again on Sunday to lodge a strong protest regarding the matter, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told UNB.
The Myanmar side was warned twice in August following mortar shells landing in Bangladesh territory from Myanmar and strong protests were lodged in this regard.
Also read: “BGB vigilant, none can enter from Myanmar now”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.
Bangabandhu did everything to give Bangladesh a strong footing: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did everything possible to place the country on a solid foundation.
Momen said this while speaking as the chief guest at an award-giving ceremony organized by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) at the Sylhet Zila Parishad Auditorium on Friday afternoon.
“Under Bangabandhu’s leadership, Bangladesh received recognition from 126 countries within just three and a half years. After the Liberation War, Bangabandhu also sent back Indian soldiers from Bangladesh within just two and a half months. While Bangladesh received membership of all the major global organizations during his rule, his biggest contribution was to present the country with a constitution within just nine months of assuming power,” Momen said.
Also read: Make PM stronger to materialize Bangabandhu’s dream: FM
Momen added that the students need to know about the achievements of Bangabandhu.
“Bangabandhu has worked on all fronts, including education, culture and religion. His policies and strategies in the agricultural sector are still guiding us. Our foreign policy, which is ‘Friendship to all, malice to none’, is also the brainchild of him,” added Momen.
Writer and social worker Selina Momen attended the event as special guest. Fahima Yasmin, Secretary of Sylhet City Corporation, among others, was present at the event.
Also read: Bangabandhu upheld the principle of neutrality in a bipolar world: Anisul
Make PM stronger to materialize Bangabandhu’s dream: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged all to strengthen Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s hands to materialize the dream of Bangabandhu to build Sonar Bangla.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had done everything for the nation that he had to do as a Father of the Nation, said Momen.
He said this at the inauguration ceremony of the extension of Syed Mujtaba Ali Hall of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet on Friday morning.
Bangabandhu was able to get recognition for Bangladesh as an independent nation from 126 countries only in three and half years, he said.
During Bangabandhu's time, Momen said, Bangladesh was able to become a member of most of the major organisations of the world, including the United Nations.
He presented the country a strong constitution in just nine months after the independence, he added.
“All these were possible because of the dynamic and visionary leadership of Bangabandhu," he noted.
Read: Shinzo Abe was a true friend of Bangladesh: Momen
Momen seeks united efforts to deal with anti-govt propaganda
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday alleged that a vested group got engaged in spreading propaganda against the government in many ways to undermine its pro-people initiatives and sought united efforts to deal with that propaganda upholding the truth.
He said they (who are spreading propaganda) are trying to bring trouble for the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by creating confusion among the people.
Foreign minister Momen urged the Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders to deal with that propaganda by showing that people in Bangladesh are doing well compared to other countries amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
He was speaking at an event organised by Sylhet District and Metropolitan Chhatra League marking National Mourning Day.
Read:Momen retreats into full 'blame the media' mode