Without giving any direct answer to whether Bangladesh will respond to the call of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the Rohingya issue, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Tuesday said they will work protecting the country's interests.
He said Bangladesh was working for a sustainable and voluntary return of Myanmar's displaced people.
The minister was briefing reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming Canada visit.
Also Read- ICC seeks Dhaka’s opinion on Rohingya crisis
On Sunday, 41 eminent citizens of the country had urged the government to respond to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber's request for observations and supporting the view of the prosecutor that the court may assert jurisdiction against Myanmar.
The citizens called on the government to respond to the invitation from ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to Bangladesh authorities to submit by June 11 observations on the question and to support Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's request.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber's decision of May 7 was made in response to Bensouda's April 9 request, seeking a ruling on whether the court had jurisdiction over the deportations of the Rohingya people from Myanmar to try as a crime against humanity.
Also Read- Rohingyas at ICC demand justice over Myanmar deportations
About Prime Minister Hasina's Canada visit, Foreign Minister Ali said it would help boost the bilateral ties between the two countries. "We hope the visit will be a fruitful one considering all aspects."
Hasina and her entourage will leave Dhaka for Canada on June 7. She will return home on June 12.
Last Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country would welcome several world leaders, including the Bangladesh premier, to the Group of 7 (G7) Summit to take part in a special outreach session on June 9 at Quebec.
Hasina and Trudeau are also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on June 10.
Ali said trade, investment, cooperation in achieving the SDGs, political consultations, cooperation in blue economy area and the Rohingya issue would be discussed at the meeting.
"The two prime ministers will discuss quick and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis," he said.
Bangladesh will highlight issues related to climate change, sustainable use of ocean resources, blue economy and Bangladesh's initiative on women empowerment at the G7 Forum.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been considered as an 'international leader for change' in the international arena for her role in constructive changes," said the foreign minister.
She will deliver her speech on “Strengthening resilience through integrated adaptation planning, emergency preparedness and recovery” at the forum, he said.
The special outreach session will focus on healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities.
The heads of several international organizations have also been invited to the G7 Summit to take part in the session.
Also Read- Trudeau invites Hasina to join G7 Summit in Canada
Apart from Hasina, Trudeau also invited President of Argentina and G20 Chair Mauricio Macri; President of Haiti and Chair of the Caribbean Community Jovenel Moise; Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness; President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta; President of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine; Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg; President of Rwanda and Chair of the African Union Paul Kagame; President of Senegal Macky Sall; President of Seychelles Danny Faure; President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa; Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc; Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General Jose Angel Gurria, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; and World Bank Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva to join the outreach session.
In a statement, he said: "Our oceans and coasts are under considerable threat - from increases in plastic pollution, more frequent and severe weather events, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Resilient coastal communities and healthy oceans are vital to growing economies that work for everyone and that is why we are committed to working with others to protect the world's oceans.”
He also tweeted, "Next week, we'll welcome @g7 leaders to Charlevoix to address some of the world's most pressing challenges together. We've also invited reps from the @UN, @IMFNews, @OECD, @WorldBank & other leaders from around the world to work on growing our economies and protecting our oceans."
The global leaders and heads of international organizations will meet G7 leaders to discuss how to build resilient coasts and communities, share ocean knowledge and science, and support sustainable oceans and fisheries.
They will also explore how to best address the pressing challenges, including plastics in oceans and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Canada said it is committed to working with others in the G7 and beyond to strengthen resilience, fight climate change, and protect oceans for generations to come.
As with all work under Canada's G7 presidency, these discussions will include a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment, it said.
These leaders and heads of international organisations will also attend a dinner hosted by Julie Payette, governor general of Canada, at the Citadelle of Quebec.
Canada holds the G7 presidency for 2018. Part of this role includes setting the agenda for the year, as well as organizing and hosting the Leaders' Summit, ministerial meetings, and other associated events.
