Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members have to foster mutual cooperation to confront challenges of contemporary world including Corona pandemic, Bangladesh Foreign Minister said.
Addressing NAM coordinating bureau meeting on Friday, Minister Abul Momen also mentioned Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recognised the importance of NAM and led Bangladesh to join the movement as early as 1973.
“Since then, Bangladesh remains an ardent supporter of NAM. The organisation represented the basic aspirations of the common people of the world – to remain free from hunger and disease, to get decent employment and to achieve quality education.NAM countries must work in full solidarity and pool best practices to fight the invisible enemy,” he said in a recorded statement.
Foreign minister particularly underscored collaboration and political commitment among the member states on equitable and timely access to Covid-19 medicines and vaccines at affordable prices, guided by the spirit of fraternity and solidarity.
He also sought the support of the NAM countries to repatriate the 1.1 million persecuted and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said the corona pandemic is likely to exacerbate the existing global challenges including poverty, climate change, drought, desertification, violence, extremism, and conflicts.
“Building back better from the pandemic would necessitate committed leadership, and meaningful partnership. To confront the challenges of the pandemic and to keep our development gains on track, NAM members must be guided by the movement’s abiding principles, ideals and purposes in seeking to establish a peaceful and prosperous, just and equitable world,” he emphasised.
