Foreign Minister Abdul Momen on Friday emphasized on collective efforts by the Asean leaders to tackle challenges faced by the region.
He made the remarks while delivering a speech at the 29th Meeting of Asean Regional Forum (ARF) under the theme “Asean ACT: Addressing Challenges Together”.
Momen highlighted some key challenges including recurring waves of new variants of Covid-19, global turmoil due to conflict in Europe, climate change, economic recession, and food and commodity crises that can only be adequately and effectively addressed through mutual trust and cooperation underpinned by multilateral arrangements like ARF.
While presenting an overview of Bangladesh’s socio-economic development in the last decade and a half, he stated: “Bangladesh government is working relentlessly under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to transform Bangabandhu’s vision of a world free of economic inequalities, social injustice, exploitation, aggression, and threats of nuclear war into a reality.”
Momen sought more focus and active support from the ARF countries for a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
He asked for the Asean leaders’ support and requested them to strengthen their ongoing efforts to help create an environment within Myanmar that will encourage the Rohingyas to return.
He also requested the western leaders to impose strong economic sanction on Myanmar.
“Myanmar is not likely to listen to world leadership unless economic sanction is imposed on them,” Momen said.
The minister also pointed out that delaying the repatriation process may pose a security threat to the entire region and beyond.
Momen concluded his speech with six proposals for ensuring resilient economic cooperation in the region.
His proposals include strengthen cooperation between and among countries; research, investment, and advanced technology sharing for trade promotion; rapid development of connectivity; common action to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change; marine resource exploration, development and creating an energy hub in this region.
He reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to work closely with ARF for our collective development and prosperity.
