Dr AK Abdul Momen
Will take ties with Dhaka to even higher level: Jaishankar
Bangladesh and India have committed to taking the bilateral relations between the two countries to a higher level this year, mentioning that the year 2021 was a great year.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen had a meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Paris on Monday and discussed issues of bilateral interest.
They particularly talked about the preparations for the next Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting.
Jaishankar invited his Bangladesh counterpart to co-chair the next round of the JCC meeting during the first half of the year, according to the foreign ministry.
The two ministers also stressed the need for concluding meetings of the relevant Joint Working Groups prior to the JCC meeting.
The sixth meeting of the JCC between the two countries was held on September 29, 2020. Although Dhaka was scheduled to host the meeting, due to the COVID-19 situation the meeting was held on a virtual platform.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi eye greater engagements ahead of Hasina’s possible visit
"Noted that 2021 was a great year for the relationship. Committed to taking it to an even higher level in 2022," Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.
He described the meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Momen "good" and expressed happiness to hold the meeting amid International Mother Language Day.
Momen reiterated the importance of resolving the Teesta water sharing issue while his Indian counterpart reaffirmed his government’s principled position on the matter.
The two ministers also agreed to facilitate the ongoing discussions around the Kushiara river.
Momen urged India to remain engaged with the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, including in the latter’s capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The ministers also recalled the successful events held in 18 cities around the world to observe the "Maitri Dibosh" or Friendship Day on December 6 last year.
Momen is now visiting Paris to attend the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, scheduled to be held today (Tuesday).
Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as well as the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans are scheduled to attend the Ministerial Forum.
The Forum is seen as an opportunity to showcase the European Union strategy for the region and develop tangible projects in this regard.
It will bring together Foreign Ministers of EU Member States and some 30 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, representatives of European institutions and representatives of the main regional organisations.
Also read: Shahriar meets Lekhi in Delhi
Ministerial Forum’s objective
The Indo-Pacific region is of increasing strategic importance to the European Union and its Member States.
Its economic weight (it will soon account for 60% of global wealth) and demographic significance (three fifths of the world’s population), its increasing presence in current affairs and future geopolitical balances make it an essential space for Europeans.
There are considerable economic exchanges between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, which contribute to the prosperity of the European Union.
Through its Member States’ outermost regions in the Indian Ocean and overseas territories in the Pacific, the European Union is also part of this region, with which it has a closely-shared destiny.
Translating Europe’s desire for increased commitment to the region into action is one of the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
This priority is in line with the publication of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was endorsed by the European Council in October 2021.
This strategy includes seven priority areas for action, on which the French Presidency wanted to initiate dialogue with Indo-Pacific partners: Sustainable and inclusive prosperity; Green transition; Ocean governance; Digital governance and partnerships; Connectivity; Security and defence and Human security.
In this regard, the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific will be an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the links between EU countries and those of the Indo-Pacific.
Bangladesh exchanges views on Indo-Pacific with Australia
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has met his Australian counterpart Marise Payne and exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of growing interest in the region.
They reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation for the shared prosperity and security of all in the region.
During the bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of "Munich Security Conference 2022" in Germany, the two foreign ministers also exchanged greetings on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Australia.
They recalled the exchange of goodwill messages between the prime ministers of the two countries to mark the occasion.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh and Australia have the scope to further enhance and diversify their trade and economic cooperation, especially with the signing of the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) last year.
Also read: China offers not only ‘basket of money’ but also “affordable” proposals: FM
He urged his Australian counterpart to jointly explore ways to increase the volume and content of bilateral trade.
Also, the two ministers discussed the possibility of organising a visit by a business delegation, focusing on pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh.
Geopolitics may stand in the way of climate finance deal, warns Momen, as the Munich Security Conference returns
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated the need for global partnership to mobilize financing and technologies towards climate action and green transition.
He was speaking at a panel discussion on tackling climate crisis during the "58th Munich Security Conference" that began in Germany on Friday.
The conference being held at the usual venue in Munich will continue till February 20.
Speaking at the opening session of the conference Dr Momen wondered if the international commitment for climate financing could be affected due to geopolitical tensions, including Ukraine situation.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to visit Paris, France from Germany.
Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace
The MSC 2022 remains true to its traditional formats but welcomed fewer guests and media representatives as well as smaller delegations to ensure the health and safety of its participants and the Munich public, according to the organizers.
"Our world is in danger. Traditional certainties are crumbling, threats and vulnerabilities are multiplying, and the rules-based order is increasingly under attack. The need for dialogue has never been greater,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of Munich Security Conference.
Dr Momen is scheduled to leave Munich for Paris on February 21 and attend "Ministerial Forum” for the cooperation in the Indo Pacific to be held there on February 22.
The French government has invited a host of foreign ministers from across Asia, the Pacific and East Africa to its capital on February 22 for the meeting with their European counterparts and top European Union officials.
Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace
Together with the High Representative, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the Ministerial Forum, bringing together the Member States, the European Commission and Indo-Pacific partner countries.
The forum will address specific challenges related to security and defence, and digital and connectivity issues in the context of the Global Gateway initiative to develop infrastructure worldwide, as well as global challenges such as global health, climate change, biodiversity and the protection of oceans.
FM Momen embarks on Europe tour Thursday
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen leaves for Germany on Thursday morning from where he is scheduled to visit Paris, France to attend a number of events, including bilateral engagements.
He will attend the "58th Munich Security Conference" in Germany to be held at the usual venue in Munich, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, from February 18 to 20, officials here said.
The MSC 2022 will remain true to its traditional formats but will welcome fewer guests and media representatives as well as smaller delegations to ensure the health and safety of its participants and the Munich public, according to the organisers.
"Our world is in danger. Traditional certainties are crumbling, threats and vulnerabilities are multiplying, and the rules-based order is increasingly under attack. The need for dialogue has never been greater,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of Munich Security Conference.
Also read: Bangladesh an important security partner, says US
Dr Momen is scheduled to leave Munich for Paris on February 21 and attend "Ministerial Forum” for the cooperation in the Indo Pacific to be held there on February 22.
The French government has invited a host of foreign ministers from across Asia, the Pacific and East Africa to its capital on February 22 for the meeting with their European counterparts and top European Union officials.
Together with the High Representative, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the Ministerial Forum, bringing together the Member States, the European Commission and Indo-Pacific partner countries.
The forum will address specific challenges related to security and defence, and digital and connectivity issues in the context of the Global Gateway initiative to develop infrastructure worldwide, as well as global challenges such as global health, climate change, biodiversity and the protection of oceans.
Also read: Appointed PR firm, not lobbyist, to change wrong perception: FM
Dhaka seeks global support in rehabilitation of climate migrants
Bangladesh has urged global leaders to share the burden of rehabilitation of the climate migrants, noting that each year thousands of people are being uprooted from their sweet homes and traditional jobs due to global warming, riverbank erosion and erratic climate changes.
As the CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) President, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen urges the international community to proactively address the unique challenges of the CVF countries.
“They indeed need further support in building capacity for trade-facilitation reforms. Otherwise, they would have to sacrifice development and quality of life for their citizens,” said Dr Momen while delivering his remarks at a webinar on “Climate Change Priorities in Trade and Investment” on Monday evening.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WIPO Director-General Daren Tang, Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD Isabelle Durant and Deputy to the Director-General of UNIDO Hiroshi Kuniyoshi also joined it.
The Foreign Minister flagged six points and first, he said, all must be strict in implementing the Paris Agreement.
Secondly, Dr Momen said, transfer of clean, green, and advanced technology to developing countries at affordable costs, including for meeting energy requirements is crucial.
Sharing his third point, the Foreign Minister said, developed countries must keep their commitments to mobilise 100 billion dollars annually for climate finance with a 50:50 balance between adaptation & mitigation finance.
Fourth, he said, climate-vulnerable countries’ development needs, including climate smart agriculture, sustainable industrialisation, and enhanced contribution to the global value chain, must be addressed by decisive actions.
Fifth, the Foreign Minister said collaborative steps must be taken for ensuring sustainable marine fishing which is important for preserving marine ecosystems and combating climate change.
“It also remains crucial that developed countries and global financial institutions extend developing economies access to low-interest financing for climate friendly and climate proof trade and investment,” Dr Momen said as he flagged the sixth point.
Dr Momen thanked Bangladesh’ Permanent Mission in Geneva for organising this event. “Indeed, we’re speaking at a time when the correlation between human activities and climate change is more scientifically proven.”
He said climate change is the single most harmful contributor to humanity and the planet and this has severely impacted human lives and livelihoods. “The increased number of climate disasters and their impacts have brought vulnerable countries to a tipping point of irreversible damage.”
As identified by the United Nations, Dr Momen said, climate-related disasters increased by 83 per cent in the first two decades of the 21st century compared to the last two decades of the 20th century.
“These have affected our agriculture, food, energy security, economic growth, and sustainable development. Needless to say, the implications are more disastrous for the most vulnerable countries,” he said.
READ: FM for well-calibrated action agenda for tourism sector
Bangladesh contributes less than 0.47 per cent to global carbon emissions and its per capita carbon-di-oxide emission is 0.5 metric tons, which is about 30 times less than that in the high emitting countries.
“However, we’re the seventh most climate-vulnerable nation. The whole coastal area of Bangladesh, which includes the gateways of our international trade, is under serious threat. Frequent disasters often severely disrupt our domestic supply chain,” he said, adding that, “We’ve lost our land and capital due to sea-level rise. Our infrastructure and transport routes are regularly hit hard by the climate effects that affect transportation of goods and services.”
Despite constraints, Dr Momen said, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader in climate change adaptation.
Bangladesh is the first LDC to set up a self-financed 450 million dollars “Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund” back in 2009 that supports nearly 800 adaptation and resilience projects in the vulnerable areas of the country.
“Bangladesh has one of the world’s most extensive domestic solar energy programmes. Last year, we submitted our updated NDC to the UNFCCC, enhancing both unconditional and conditional contributions with ambitious quantifiable mitigation targets,” he said.
Bangladesh, South Sudan keen to deepen ties with multiple deals
Bangladesh and South Sudan on Monday discussed cooperation in a number of sectors as the two countries are keen to tap the potential for mutual benefits.
A high-level delegation of the government of South Sudan led by Deng Dau Deng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Defense, Secretary, Trade and Industry and other high officials met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at State guesthouse Padma in the evening.
Dr Momen proposed that both sides can conclude agreements in the areas like agriculture, including contract farming, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, promotion and protection of investment, cooperation in trade and bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries of both the countries.
Also read: South Sudanese delegation arrives in Dhaka
It was agreed that draft agreements from Bangladesh side would be forwarded to the South Sudanese side for their consideration, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
FM to visit UAE from Feb 10-13 to attend series of events
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is scheduled to leave here for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday night to attend a series of programmes apart from a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart.
The Foreign Minister will visit Bangladesh Pavilion on February 12 and UAE Pavilion on February 10 at the Expo 2020 in Dubai.
The Expo 2020 is currently hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
The bilateral meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister will be held on Saturday, said an official referring to Dr Momen’s tentative programme schedule.
READ: Want to flourish trade, economic ties more with global partners: FM
He will also attend the UK National Day reception to be held at the UK Pavilion in the Expo 2020 on Thursday. The Foreign Minister will attend the Commonwealth reception at the UK Pavilion the same day.
Dr Momen will deliver a speech on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision for “World Peace and Security: Its Enduring Relevance Today” at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi on Friday morning.
He will have a meeting with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Friday afternoon.
READ: Bangladesh's success now an eyesore for some: FM
On Saturday morning, the Foreign Minister will attend a seminar titled “Explore Mujib’s Bangladesh: A Hidden Gem of Tourism in South Asia” to be held at Bangladesh Pavilion which is showcasing cultural history and socio-economic development.
Dr Momen is scheduled to return home on Sunday night wrapping up his four-day visit.
Bangladesh's success now an eyesore for some: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh has become an “eyesore” for some due to its good position strategically, and the real purpose is to try and reap benefits by putting pressure as the issue of human rights is not the real purpose.
“The real purpose is not human rights. The real purpose is not even disappearances or murders. The real purpose is to try whether they can reap some benefits from these pressures,” he said, adding that the government does not want to see a single case of disappearance or any murder.
While talking to reporters after attending a programme in the city, the Foreign Minister said there is no word for enforced disappearance in the country."We don't want to see anyone taken away by force. We want everyone to be gone by the law.”
Also read: Don’t believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh warranted: Congressman Meeks
Dr Momen mentioned that Bangladesh is surrounded by some big countries and its access to the sea has become a big concern for them.
He said there had been some accidents in which they did not get proper information and there is no such thing as enforced disappearance in the country. “Sometimes different terrorist groups do this. It happens in all the countries of the world, more or less. We've the least here compared to other countries.”
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said foreigners say that Bangladesh is becoming the tail of China and Bangladesh is falling into the debt trap of China like Sri Lanka.“If you want to get into a debt trap, you’ve to take out a 40 percent loan. Our country's total debt is just over 15 percent or about 16 percent. Still far away,” he said.
He said if they look at the countries and the institutions, they have borrowed the most from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the IMF while the next most borrowed from Japan. “Our borrowing from China is not even close to just over 5 percent.”
Also read: Bangladesh an inspiration for world: Speakers
Dr Momen said some ignorant people say Bangladesh is becoming the tail of China because 80 percent of Bangladesh’s military equipment is bought from China.
“This is a blatant lie. What we purchase, we purchase from all countries. We purchase from everywhere. India also wants to give us. Our military knows what to purchase,” he added.
Dhaka keen to add more dimensions in its ties with KL
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said they look forward to taking bilateral relations with Malaysia to new heights by adding further depth and dimensions in the days ahead.
"During the last five decades, our multidimensional relationship has flourished on a solid foundation based on shared values, mutual respect and excellent cooperation," he said.
On the auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh-Malaysia diplomatic relations, the Foreign Minister conveyed heartiest felicitations to the government and the brotherly people of Malaysia.
READ: Dhaka keen to sign PTA with Male; 2 MoUs signed
Both the countries have "come a long way" to consolidate their bilateral relation since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries after Malaysia recognized Bangladesh on 31 January 1972.
READ: Dhaka keen to be part of ‘Indo-Pacific Alliance’ on economic front
Dhaka wants international organisations to consider facts, not letters
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said they believe that international organisations would not take individuals’ letters or instigation into their consideration as the government is sending facts-based briefings to them.
“They (individuals) might keep writing. It’s being written at an individual level. We believe those organisations won’t take this into their consideration,” he told reporters, apparently referring to excitement among a particular group of people following the sanctions imposed on Rab and some individuals.
Dr Momen talked to reporters after attending the closing ceremony of 16th National Wushu Championship as the chief guest at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur.
Also read: Dhaka smells more ‘assaults’, wants to counter propaganda abroad with facts