Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen
Govt to honour expats through National Expatriate Day: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the government wants to honor expatriate Bangladeshis in every possible way and ease their sufferings at home and abroad.
He said the expatriates have always been supportive to Bangladesh’s economic development and even played a very significant role during the War of Liberation in 1971.
“They have kept our economy vibrant by sending remittances. We want to engage them more in our economic development,” he told reporters after attending a programme in the city.
Momen said the government has taken a decision to observe December 30 as the National Expatriates Day. The Cabinet on Monday approved the proposal.
Read more: Bangladesh requests Bahrain to recruit more skilled workers, IT professionals
Asked whether the government has decided to impose new restrictions along the border and airports to contain Covid-19, Momen said they are yet to discuss the matter.
Responding to a question on rape cases, the foreign minister said they want not a single rape case in the country but it cannot be done without social movement.
Earlier, the foreign minister spoke as the chief guest at a national level sharing meeting on civil-society led alternative CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) reporting hosted by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and UN Women.
Read more: Foreign Minister asked to place a report on stranded expats
Momen urges PUIC delegation to work for repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) delegation members to enhance diplomatic efforts with major powers and ensure safe, dignified and sustained repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
An 11-member delegation of the PUIC, including members of parliaments from Tukiye, Iran, Uganda and Secretary-General of PUIC, led by Prof Dr Orhan Atalay met Foreign Minister Momen at the State guesthouse Padma on Wednesday.
Read more: Bangladesh considering ‘pros and cons’ of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Momen
During the meeting, the foreign minister deeply appreciated the contribution of the Committee on Muslim Communities and Minorities for portraying the picture of the persecuted Rohingyas to the members of the OIC.
The visiting PUIC delegation thanked the Government of Bangladesh for hosting persecuted Rohingyas on humanitarian ground, and reaffirmed their continued support for settlement of the Rohingya crisis.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char.
The visiting PUIC delegation met Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on December 19.
Read more: ‘No reason to worry’ about new US sanctions: Momen
The PUIC delegation also visited Rohingya Camps in Cox’s Bazar and had interaction with the Rohingyas as well as related stakeholders on December 20.
More “informed” thinking required amid rise of new actors, challenges: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said there is a growing need for research in strategic studies involving changing environments, especially in this time due to the fact that they are living in an “increasingly competitive and complex” global situation.
“Our geopolitical location as a basin country of the Bay of Bengal is a determining factor influencing our domestic and international affairs,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled “BIISS Research Colloquium 2022” organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its BIISS auditorium.
Momen said from the view point of various strategic and economic perspectives the geopolitical significance of the Bay of Bengal can be analysed and welcomed more such creative research papers in future.
The Foreign Minister said the rise of new actors, notably India and China, pose both intellectual and policy challenges which require more “informed” thinking.
“In a changing world, the field must adopt a truly global outlook, if it is to remain relevant. Relatedly, there is a need to move beyond the dominance of American and British perspectives,” he said.
Read more: Bangladesh considering ‘pros and cons’ of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Momen
In recent days, Momen said, the Cold War is reappearing and forcing polarization. In the Indo-Pacific region, attempts are being made to polarize the region.
He said strategic research, backed by facts and insights, can help the government to plan and implement its survival and growth strategies.
“It assists us in understanding hidden opportunities from multiple perspectives, such as geopolitical situations, a nation’s inclination, its political alignment strategies etc,” he said.
“We have to remember that the Great Powers enjoy strong research and think-tanks. Therefore, we also have to take efficient steps in terms of research and education in the field of strategic studies,” Momen said.
BIISS Chairman Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain chaired the inaugural session and its Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin delivered the welcome remarks.
The colloquium was divided into three sessions under a specific theme and in each session, three papers were presented by the BIISS officers.
Bangladesh considering ‘pros and cons’ of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said Bangladesh is looking into the “pros and cons” of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to determine if Bangladesh will benefit from joining it.
“Recently, there has been debate about the Quad and Indo-Pacific Economic (Framework). To understand the issue, we have requested BIISS to look into it. I am thankful to them. They have submitted one report on it,” Momen said.
Read more: ‘No reason to worry’ about new US sanctions: Momen
Momen was speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled “BIISS Research Colloquium 2022” in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized the event at the BIISS auditorium.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the “Quad”, is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
In June this year, the United States briefed Bangladesh on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Bangladesh welcomed additional information on the supply chain resilience and decarbonization pillars of the IPEF.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas recently said the United States and 13 partner countries launched negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which he described as a “novel economic arrangement” that reflects their collective desire to address 21st century challenges that go beyond trade and investment.
Read more: Repatriation of Rohingyas delayed due to lack of sincerity: Momen
The membership of IPEF reflects the economic diversity of the region as well as the interconnectivity among partner countries that drives economic growth, job creation, and innovation, he said.
IPEF is intended to be open and inclusive to others who wish to join in the future if they share the goals of IPEF and work to achieve those goals.
“We will continue to work on these issues and grow our economic partnership bilaterally with all nations, including Bangladesh,” said the US ambassador.
BIISS Chairman Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain and its Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin spoke at the event on Tuesday.
The event was divided into three sessions. In each session, three speakers presented their recent research that concerns Bangladesh's national interest.
The session one was on Bangladesh’s regional and global outreach which was chaired by BIISS Chairman.
Session two was on security and strategic affairs chaired by former Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, General (retd) Md Abdul Mubeen.
The third session highlighted “Diplomacy and Negotiations” which was chaired by Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed.
‘No reason to worry’ about new US sanctions: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said there is “no reason to worry” about new US sanctions, and described Bangladesh, US ties as “very good”.
“The US puts sanctions in thousands. These (sanctions) come one way and go another way. There is nothing to worry or panic about,” he told reporters when asked whether the government is concerned about new sanctions from the US.
Read more: We don't expect US to impose more sanctions: Shahriar
Momen also said the US puts sanctions when they want to put pressure, and that there are examples of sanctions withdrawing those sanctions.
Citing multifaceted engagements between the two countries, the foreign minister said the US comes up with suggestions at times as there is cordial relationship between the two countries.
The US embassy said they raised the December 14 incident in Dhaka’s Shaheenbagh area at the “highest levels” of Bangladesh government, as well as with the Bangladesh embassy in Washington DC.
Read more: US envoy meets Momen, shares displeasure over embarrassment
“The US ambassador (Peter Haas) is a bit panicked about his security. Our ambassador said there is no reason to get panicked,” Momen had said on Monday.
Earlier today, the foreign minister spoke as the chief guest at the BIISS Research Colloquium 2022.
The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized the event at the BIISS auditorium. BIISS Chairman Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain and its Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin also spoke at the event.
The event was divided into three sessions. In each session, three speakers presented their recent research that concerns Bangladesh's national interest.
The session one was on Bangladesh’s regional and global outreach which was chaired by BIISS Chairman.
Session two was on security and strategic affairs chaired by former Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, General (retd) Md Abdul Mubeen.
The third session highlighted “Diplomacy and Negotiations” which was chaired by Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed.
Repatriation of Rohingyas delayed due to lack of sincerity: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said lack of sincerity on the part of Myanmar is the main reason behind delaying the process of the Rohingya repatriation.
“Many countries have been asked to take some Rohingyas to their countries and already a process of taking some Rohingyas has started. I am hopeful that the Rohingyas will go back to their countries,” he said.
Momen came up with the information while talking to reporters after distributing some sewing machines and wheelchairs among some destitute people in Sylhet.
Also read; Vulnerable Rohingyas: US to consider resettlement recommendations from UNHCR
“Rohingya repatriation is not a work of one party alone and the global leaders have some responsibility on this but there is a lack of sincerity, which delayed the process,” he said.
Visiting foreign personalities to become Bangladesh’s goodwill envoys, ministry hopes
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Thursday welcomed visiting foreign personalities under the “Visit Bangladesh 2022” programme.
Both expressed hope that the participants of the programme will become Bangladesh’s goodwill ambassadors in their respective country.
On the first day of the programme, the participants met Foreign Minister Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Alam separately.
Both extended a warm welcome and thanked them for their participation.
They briefed the participants on the evolution of independent Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, foreign policy priorities, economic progress and development, role of free and fair media, and the Rohingya issue.
Read more: US envoy meets Momen, shares displeasure over embarrassment
Momen wants direct air connectivity with Guwahati
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought efforts on resuming Guwahati-Dhaka air service and underscored the need to have direct air connectivity between Guwahati and Sylhet.
He also highlighted the importance of having direct bus service between Sylhet-Silchar for promoting people-to-people contacts, boosting bilateral ties and ensuring collective prosperity in the region.
Foreign Minister Momen raised the issues when High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma met him at his office on Tuesday. They discussed issues of mutual interest.
Momen recalled with satisfaction the arrangements made by the government of India during his recent visit to Silchar, Assam on December 1-3 to participate in the first edition of the Silchar-Sylhet Festival.
The Prime Ministers of both Bangladesh and India on numerous occasions have emphasized on building common platforms for promoting understanding and cooperation to further strengthen Bangladesh-India ties.
Read more: "Bangladesh-India are connected through the heart"
Following their guidance, this festival revisited the connection, heritage, historical cultural and linguistic affinity between the two countries in order to strengthen the age-old people-to-people ties, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister thanked India for inviting Bangladesh to attend the G20 meetings as a ‘guest country’ for the tenure of their G20 Presidency.
He noted that this would uphold their image in the regional settings.
Read more: India offers free transit to Bangladesh for exports to third countries
Momen also called for bolder solidarity to address the issues faced by the Global South to tackle the combined challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, the crisis in Europe, and financing for climate emergency and SDG implementation.
PM to launch global hub on locally-led adaptation Sunday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually launch the global hub on locally-led adaptation (LLA) on Sunday in Dhaka.
Locally Led Adaptation (LLA), which involves shifting power to local stakeholders to lead and meaningfully participate in adaptation actions, can unlock the enormous potential and creativity of communities to develop and implement solutions, while catalyzing adaptation that is more effective, equitable, and better targeted at local needs, officials said.
The government of Bangladesh and the Global Center on Adaptation will host the launching ceremony at the Foreign Service Academy.
The event will be a “key milestone” for the government of Bangladesh to reinforce its global leadership on locally led adaptation, building on the momentum generated during COP27, officials said.
The 8th Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the Board, Global Center on Adaptation Ban Ki-moon will speak as special guest while Chief Executive Officer, Global Center on Adaptation Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen will deliver keynote speech at the launching ceremony.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson will also speak.
The impacts of climate change are most acutely felt by socially and economically disadvantaged and marginalized people, because of their higher vulnerability and lower adaptive capacity.
Read more: PM opens 29 development projects, lays foundation stones of 4 others
However, these communities and individuals are not just victims of climate change. Decades of experience and learning in the development and environment sectors have shown that when enabled, they are very effective leaders in finding and implementing solutions to address local challenges.
In September 2020, the Global Center on Adaptation’s South Asia Regional Office was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
During the launching ceremony, Sheikh Hasina called on the GCA to promote the sharing of the experiences of Bangladesh, and of other countries, on building the climate resilience of most vulnerable communities.
In response, the GCA is launching the global hub on Locally Led Adaptation in the Dhaka office, to serve as a global center of excellence on supporting local communities to lead on adaptation.
The government of Bangladesh, which hosts the GCA Regional Office and the Global Hub on LLA, is a key strategic partner in this effort.
The long-term goal of the global hub on LLA is to promote LLA at scale, with speed, to reduce climate risks for populations and sections of society that are most vulnerable to climate change.
The Hub will implement activities that promote progress towards scaling up LLA in at least 25 countries by 2025.
Read more: PM opens 19th Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka
The Hub will identify LLA best practices and scale them via investments and partnerships; while advocating, and building capacity, for broader systemic change towards locally led adaptation in countries.
Momen courts Canadian investors at 50th anniversary event
Terming Bangladesh-Canada relations very strong, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday night urged Canada to invest more in Bangladesh taking advantage of the facilities it offers.
"It is time to invest in Bangladesh. It's a good time," Momen said, inviting Canadian investors to invest in Bangladesh.The foreign minister was speaking as the chief guest at an event marking 50 years of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Canada.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also attaches high importance to Bangladesh's relations with Canada.
Momen urged Canada to put pressure on Myanmar so that the country takes back its nationals as early as possible.
Read more: Momen ‘not worried’ about Japanese Ambassador’s remarks, calls him a ‘simple, good person’
He also urged Canada to come forward for the resettlement of some of the Rohingyas as "Canada has plenty of space."
At the event, Canada Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CanCham) President Masud Rahman emphasised the signing of a bilateral foreign investment protection agreement (FIPA) to facilitate the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Canada to Bangladesh.
He also highlighted the importance of signing a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) for the promotion and expansion of trade.
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries President Md Jashim Uddin and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Khalilur Rahman also spoke at the event.
In 2019, FDI to Bangladesh reached $3.61 billion. FDI inflows to Bangladesh raised by 37 percent year-on-year to $3.43 billion in 2021-2022, a positive development for the economy.
The CanCham president said Bangladesh is situated at a geographically advantageous position in close proximity to India and China, both key commercial partners of Canada.
"All these have made Bangladesh a very prospective destination of FDI, especially for Canada which has been looking for a profitable, secure investment hub for possible relocation, particularly in Bangladesh," he said.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has also established a country desk for Canada.
Read more: Several countries, including Afghanistan, suffered due to foreigners’ role: Momen
The main objectives of the Canada Desk are to extend end-to-end support throughout the investment life cycle to address issues relating to FDI from Canada.
High Commissioner Lilly Nicholls said this is a very special time for both Canada and Bangladesh.Canada was the first country among the G7 nations which recognised Bangladesh and also supplied food aid after its independence.
Nicholls lauded Bangladesh's poverty reduction from 90 percent to nine percent.
"We have a lot in common," the high commissioner also said.
Canada is a great friend of Bangladesh which supplied a lot of wheat in the early time of independence in 1971, Momen said.
Bangladesh needs the Canadian general trade preference facility for Bangladesh even after the graduation to a developing country from the least developed country in 2026, he said.
Jashim Uddin said FBCCI is playing a critical role under a joint working group for improving the bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
There is an immense opportunity for business between the two countries in leather, agro foods, and blue economy apart from garment items, he also said.