ZCZC
BSS-31
MOMEN-NAM
Momen for fostering NAM cooperation to confront global challenges
DHAKA, Oct 9, 2020 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen
today stressed the need for fostering cooperation among the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states to confront the challenges of
the contemporary world, including the ongoing pandemic COVID-19.
He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unswerving commitment to NAM values
in his recorded statement delivered at the Ministerial Meeting of the
NAM Coordinating Bureau, a foreign ministry press release said.
Dr. Momen recalled that Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recognized the importance of the
Non-Aligned Movement and led Bangladesh to join the Movement as early
as 1973 and since then, Bangladesh remains an ardent supporter of NAM.
He said that on the 65th anniversary of the Bandung Principles, NAM
membership must reflect on the Movement’s achievements so far, and
endeavor to make NAM more relevant and effective to face the current
and emerging global challenges, especially the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Foreign Minister particularly called for collaboration and
political commitment among the member states on equitable and timely
access to Covid-19 medicines and vaccines at affordable prices, guided
by the spirit of fraternity and solidarity.
He mentioned that since inception, NAM represented the basic
aspirations of the common people of the world – to remain free from
hunger and disease, to get decent employment and to achieve quality
education.
However, he said the Covid-19 pandemic presents formidable
challenges to these aspirations.
“During this trying time, NAM countries must work in full
solidarity and pool their best practices, experiences,
crises-management protocols, research, and resources to fight the
invisible enemy,” he said.
The foreign minister said that the Covid-19 is likely to exacerbate
the existing global challenges including poverty, climate change,
drought, desertification, violence, extremism, and conflicts.
“To confront the challenges of the pandemic and to keep our
development gains on track, NAM members must be guided by the
movement’s abiding principles, ideals and purposes in seeking to
establish a peaceful and prosperous, just and equitable world,” Momen
said.
He also sought the support of the NAM countries to repatriate the
1.1 million persecuted and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals
temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
BSS/TA/MRU/2001hrs