BANGLADESH

Momen for Commonwealth solidarity

Commonwealth, former British colonial states’ organization, have to work on solidarity among member countries for a ‘greener and resilient’ recovery of corona pandemic, Foreign Minister Abul Momen told an international forum. 

Addressing the twentieth meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting (CFAMM) held virtually in London on Wednesday, Bangladesh participant Momen also recalled Bangabandhu’s 1973 Commonwealth speech.

”Following the footsteps of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, today I call upon our post-pandemic Commonwealth to demonstrate Commonwealth solidarity, connectivity and collective action to build back a more resilient, greener and sustainable post-pandemic recovery”, he added.

In his statement, Foreign Minister briefed the virtual meeting of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Leaders presided by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month.

He reaffirmed Prime Minister’s call for a green post-covid recovery and to tackle the climate emergency, a 31 December 2020 midnight climate survival deadline for submitting higher and ambitious NDC Paris targets.

Momen also proposed a number of collaborative mechanisms between the UK, the Commonwealth chair-in-office and the COP-26 presidency and Bangladesh under the CVF presidency.

Bangladesh foreign minister also called upon further collaboration between the Commonwealth and the CVF.

Replying a question on Rohingya issue, Dr Momen made a strong case calling for the support of Commonwealth including its chair-in-office UK for intensifying respective efforts with Myanmar to find a lasting solution to the protracted crisis.

”Bangladesh is no longer in a position to shoulder this humanitarian burden of unprecedented magnitude any longer or for an indefinite period” he said.

‘’Rohingya problem was created in Myanmar and its solution has to be found in Myanmar, not in Bangladesh’’, Momen mentioned the Prime Minister’s unequivocal reiteration at 75th UNGA.

Foreign Minister also informed the meeting that as the lead country for the Commonwealth Business-to-Business Connectivity Cluster, Bangladesh would be hosting the first virtual high-level B2B Connectivity Dialogue at Commonwealth platform on November 23 to enhance knowledge-sharing and connectivity amongst Commonwealth businesses, chambers and entrepreneurs.

Among others, Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland, Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem and 45 ministers participated in the meeting presided by UK Secretary of State Dominic Raab.

 

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