FM Momen
Momen receives letter with good sentiments from Blinken as Nuland arrives for dialogue
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen Saturday said he received a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken containing some good sentiments on Bangladesh-US ties.
He said the US secretary of state expressed his hope to work on how they can create a new chapter in bilateral relations as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
Dr Momen is scheduled to visit Washington in early April and is scheduled to hold a meeting with his US counterpart.
The foreign minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending a programme in the city.
Read: Dhaka-Washington "Partnership Dialogue” Sunday; Under Secretary Nuland in city
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said the Bangladesh side will raise the sanctions issue during the Partnership Dialogue between the two countries Sunday.
"It's an important issue. We should raise it," said Momen, adding: The US imposed the sanctions on seven individuals and Rapid Action Battalion without any prior consultation.
Terming the US a friendly country, Dr Momen hoped that there would be a good discussion in the dialogue between the two countries.
Bangladesh wants to be partner of Saudi's green initiative
Bangladesh has requested oil-rich Saudi Arabia to take Bangladesh as a partner in its green initiative across the Middle East.
“Saudi Arabia has taken a great green initiative for the whole of the Middle East,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters after a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday.
He said the Saudi government is planning to plant 50 billion saplings across the Middle East - 10 billion in Saudi Arabia and 40 billion in other Middle East countries.
Read: Will work together to expand cooperation with Bangladesh, says Saudi FM
“We’ve requested them for partnership with us. We want to give saplings and help grow those plants,” Momen said.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced it goal to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change.
Prince Faisal left Dhaka for home on Wednesday afternoon ending his less than 24-hour official visit to Bangladesh.
Dhaka wants Asia's leadership role to address emerging challenges
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has called upon the Asian nations to take the leadership role for addressing the emerging challenges and exploring opportunities in the rapidly changing world.
He made the call at a roundtable titled “Asia Anew: For sustainable regional growth” at the 2nd Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday.
Read: FM Momen discusses issues of mutual interest with Turkish counterpart
Dr. Momen elaborated on the policies of Bangladesh in addressing the challenges like COVID-19, climate change, and how the government is implementing policies to take Bangladesh in the league of developed nations within the next two decades.
He emphasised on the importance of ensuring green technologies at affordable costs to all countries, and investment for ensuring gainful employment.
Dr. Momen reiterated the Bangladesh proposal for a South-South forum of Foreign Ministers that would share ideas, and promote best practices for the economic issues of the developing countries.
The high-profile roundtable was also attended by several other Foreign Ministers from Asia, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: Moroccan businesspeople urged to invest in Bangladesh
Referring to the different current conflicts in the world, Foreign Minister Momen flagged the concept of culture of peace promoted by Bangladesh, and emphasised that tolerance and empathy is essential for a world to make it sustainable and habitable for our future generations.
Mentioning the Rohingya crisis, and the bold decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in providing shelter to the 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, Dr. Momen stressed for international cooperation in addressing the regional crises.
FM Momen discusses issues of mutual interest with Turkish counterpart
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Saturday and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues.
They discussed issues of mutual interest and also the Rohingya stalemate.
Read: Continuous democratic process is behind country’s unprecedented development, says Hasina in UAE
Dr Momen is visiting Turkey to attend Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2022, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dr Momen attended a roundtable on “Asia Anew: For sustainable regional growth” at the second Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, Turkey.
Confident B’desh seeks global partnership to realize development dreams: FM
Bangladesh has sought global partnership to take its “steady growth trajectory” to another height for graduating to a developing country by 2024 and a developed nation by 2041.
“The message must be loud and clear – we add value – we are ready – partner with us,” said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen while addressing at the Bangladesh Economic Forum 2022 in Dubai on Thursday.
Momen mentioned key areas of potential partnership - food, finance, design, connectivity, ports, power, energy and human resources, according to message received in Dhaka.
Read: Assistant teacher recruitment test in April to fill 45000 vacant posts at primary schools
He said they have established a new wing – the international trade, investment and technology wing - to deal and coordinate all trade and investment issues for supporting all relevant national authorities and ministries, including BIDA, BEZA, BSEC and High-Tech Park Authority and to closely work with them as “One-Government”.
PM’s Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority Sheikh Yousuf Harun, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin, representatives from the public and private sectors of both Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates were present at the event.
Ex-finance minister Muhith’s health improves, says foreign minister
The health condition of former finance minister and Awami League advisory council member AMA Muhith has improved to some extent, the foreign minister said on Monday after visiting him at hospital.
Read: PM leaves Dhaka for Abu Dhabi Monday afternoon
“Muhith Bhai's physical condition is a bit better today (Monday),” said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in a Facebook post seeking blessings from everyone at home and abroad for his brother’s complete recovery.
Dhaka appreciates Genocide Watch’s statement
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has thanked Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Genocide Watch for their statements on ‘Bangladesh’s Genocide Day’.
Dr Momen said their statements will contribute towards accelerating the pace as well as the spirit of efforts for achieving global recognition of 25 March as the ‘Bangladesh’s Genocide Day.’Genocide Watch recently issued a declaration in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Genocide perpetrated against Bangladesh and its people by Pakistani Army. "[The] people of Bangladesh find solace in your words of empathy who were subject to widespread and systematic crimes by the Pakistani forces and their local allies during our great war of Independence in 1971," said Dr Momen in a letter sent to Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, Founding President of Genocide Watch. Following a unanimous decision adopted by Bangladesh Parliament on 11 March 2017, the people of Bangladesh have been observing 25 March as ‘Genocide Day’. "We also establish “Genocide corner” in our Ministry. The Parliament tasked the government to secure international recognition in favor of Bangladesh’s Genocide Day," Dr Momen said.
Read: As decade of development looms, Port City leaders ask for suffering to be 'tolerable' In a separate letter, the Foreign Minister said the statement by Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention will contribute in accelerating the pace as well as spirit of their efforts for achieving global recognition of 25 March as the ‘Bangladesh’s Genocide Day.’"I write to thank you for the Statement issued by the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention on the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 perpetrated against Bangladeshi people by Pakistani Army," said Dr Momen in his letter to Elisa von Joeden-Forgey and Irene Victoria Massimino, Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention.The Foreign Minister wished them good health, happiness, and continued success.
Want to flourish trade, economic ties more with global partners: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh wants to “flourish” its trade and economic relations with its global partners further keeping an open and inclusive policy in place.
“In the conduct of our foreign policy, we’ve always been open, democratic, inclusive and constructive. Our priority is to pursue our national developmental ambitions,” he said, describing Bangladesh as a land of opportunity and a vibrant economy.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the “World Conference Series 2022 on Branding Bangladesh” at a city hotel.
With each of Bangladesh’s partner countries, Dr Momen said, the ties and engagements have considerable mutuality of interest and benefit. “The engagements are indeed to contribute to the fulfilment of our national and global developmental desires.”
In all their efforts, he said, their prime objective remains to secure a life of security, dignity and wellbeing for the people. “We want peace, prosperity and happiness for everyone. We want to walk together with you.”
Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Mayor of Croydon, UK, Sherwan Chowdhury, Physician to the Prime Minister Dr ABM Abdullah, Director General of BMET Md Shahidul Alam, General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Kazi Rafiqul Hassan, among others, spoke at the event held with Chairperson of Center for Non-Resident Bangladeshis MS Shekil Chowdhury in the chair. Messages given by the President and Prime Minister were read out at the programme.
Govt wants greater coordination to brand Bangladesh abroad
The government wants to expedite its efforts to brand Bangladesh abroad highlighting its areas of strength and make the country a more attractive destination for trade and investment through stronger team work within the government keeping in mind the challenges ahead.
An inter-ministerial meeting of the committee on "Branding Bangladesh Abroad" was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighting the preparation, planning, implementation and monitoring of possible challenges of Bangladesh in the context of graduation from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, were, among others, present.
Dr Momen emphasised identification of the areas of strength that Bangladesh has both as a nation and as a sovereign state and asked for stronger coordination amongst the stakeholders for projecting them abroad.
Also read: It’s US that trained RAB: FM Momen
He also highlighted the need for an “open, inclusive and fact based programmes” for projecting a correct and aspirational image of the country.
FM Momen mourns Malaysian envoy's mother’s death
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed deep shock over the death of Midah Binti Omar, mother of Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim.
In a condolence message on Saturday, Dr Momen prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Read: PM mourns Joynal Hazari’s death
The mother of the Malaysian High Commissioner died on Saturday morning while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka.