BSS-01 Momen for strengthening SAARC cooperation tackling COVID challenges

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BSS-01

MOMEN-SAARC-COOPERTION

Momen for strengthening SAARC cooperation tackling COVID challenges

DHAKA, Sept 25, 2020 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has called
upon his all counterparts of SAARC member states to work together in
strengthening regional cooperation to fight the challenges posed by COVID-19
pandemic.

He made the call during the 17th Informal Meeting of SAARC Council of
Ministers (COM), virtually held on Thursday as a sideline event of the 75th
Session of the UN General Assembly, a foreign ministry press release said
here today.

Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali chaired the COM attended by
the foreign ministers of all the eight SAARC (South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation) Member States.

In his address, Bangladesh foreign minister underscored the need for
revisiting the entire plan of action of SAARC system for its effective
implementation.

COVID-19 would unfold many new opportunities with new areas of cooperation
while many existing sectors might either disappear partially or totally or
lose relevance as before, he added.

Dr Momen called upon his colleagues to consider convening of meeting of
foreign secretaries to regularize many pending recommendations by other lower
functional bodies of SAARC and work out ways to make the South Asian forum
more effective during the post COVID-19 recovery efforts by the member
states.

He conveyed dream of the Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to work together with the neighbors in South Asia for
the collective benefits of the people.

On the occasion of celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu this
year, he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to strengthen SAARC Forum
as a common platform in South Asia for effective regional cooperation.

Dr Momen reiterated the proposal made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at
the video conference of the south Asian leaders held in March last to
establish a SAARC Public Health Research Institute in Dhaka for finding out
solutions to COVID-19 as well as future similar public health threats.

He also said sectors like food and agriculture, public health, ICT, trade
and investment are likely to require more focus during the post COVID-19
period.

The foreign ministers of other SAARC countries also reviewed the regional
efforts in combating COVID-19 and put emphasis on further strengthening
regional cooperation in the wake of the Pandemic.

BSS/PR/TA/GMR/0900 hrs