Commonwealth solidarity for Rohingya repatriation sought

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought Commonwealth solidarity for smooth repatriation of the Rohingyas .

Dhaka, Sept 17 :  Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought Commonwealth solidarity for smooth repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.

 Leading the Bangladesh delegation in the 21st Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting (CFAMM) virtually, he urged Commonwealth to assist in persuading the government of Myanmar to follow their commitments. 

Foreign Minister Dr Momen highlighted the current impasse over the FDMNs voluntary repatriation to Myanmar and their partial relocation to Bhashan Char. 

He also sought efforts to boost-up intra-Commonwealth trade, ensure vaccine equity and result-oriented climate action.

Commonwealth leaders have commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s humanitarian role in taking bold decision to give shelter to a huge number of Forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMN) and thus saving thousands of innocent lives.

They also appreciated her leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). 

They made these comments during the 21st Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting (CFAMM) held virtually in London on Thursday. 

The Foreign Minister informed the Commonwealth leaders of the initiatives undertaken as the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) . 

The Foreign Minister also called upon further collaboration between the Commonwealth and the CVF. 

Dr Momen urged the Commonwealth Member States to stand together more than ever for trade and economic recovery which was hampered due to the Covid pandemic. 

He also called upon the post-pandemic Commonwealth to demonstrate Commonwealth solidarity, connectivity and collective action to build back a more resilient, greener and sustainable post-Covid recovery.

The Foreign Minister informed the meeting that as the lead country for the Commonwealth Business-to-Business Connectivity Cluster, Bangladesh has relentlessly championed for connecting the Commonwealth private sectors for creating a tech-driven low carbon business recovery model and a Commonwealth digital marketplace at the first High-level CW B2B Connectivity Dialogue organised by Bangladesh in November 2020.  

Elizabeth Truss MP, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs chaired this meeting where Commonwealth Secretary-General and Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth countries were present. 

Prior to this meeting, the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana was held on 14 September 2021, which was chaired by Foreign Minister Dr. Momen, reports UNB.