Hasina calls for peace, security
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for a triangular South-South cooperation to fight terrorism, human trafficking and climate change.
“I believe the South-South and triangular cooperation has immense potential to foster development, achieve peace and security, fight terrorism and violent extremism,” she said.
The PM made the remarks while addressing a plenary session of the second Asian-African Summit at the Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Centre in Indonesia.
"Durable peace and security are pre-conditions to sustainable development,” she told the summit.
“Indeed, the volatile regional and global security situation, terrorism and violent extremism continue to challenge development gains and our efforts towards peace and prosperity,” she added.
Hasina, also chief of the ruling Awami League, said a set of transformative goals and targets were being identified in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
"I would like to emphasise three development issues -- fight against hunger and inequality, combat terrorism and violent extremism, and close and sustained cooperation."
She laid emphasis on work with united efforts for the betterment of the countries in Asian and African regions, also known as global South.
"Let's renew our commitment to work together in achieving a peaceful and prosperous global South.
“I believe, together we could build a stable, prosperous and just world -- free from oppression, intolerance, violence and extremism," she expressed firm optimism.
About the potentiality of Asian and African countries, Hasina said, the South accounts for half of the world's GDP, produces half of its economic output and conducts more than half of the global trade.
"Therefore, the South-South cooperation is critical for attaining sustainable development and building resilience of Southern countries," she added.
Hasina also mentioned that her government maintains a 'zero-tolerance' policy towards all forms of terrorism and extremism.
To address climate change, Hasina said, “We have introduced stress-tolerant crop varieties and set up the Climate Change Trust Fund with our own resources.”
"However, it is not possible for a single country to tackle the climate change challenges. I look forward to seeing a strong commitment to address climate change in the region," she added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, King of Jordan Abdullah Ibne Al Hossein and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, among others, took part in the summit.
On the sidelines of the conference, Hasina held talks with Deputy PM of Qatar Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, U Thein Sein, Xi Jinping and Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong at the convention centre.
During her meeting with Thein Sein, Hasina said Bangladesh highly values its relations with neighbouring countries like Myanmar in terms of trade, commerce, business and security issues.
The Myanmar president said they are happy to have good relations with Bangladesh, and stressed the need for exchange of high-level visits between the two countries to strengthen the ties.
Thein Sein also laid emphasis on working together to solve the existing problems between the two countries through holding government-to-government and military-to-military cooperation.
Talking about the regional connectivity, Hasina said it would be strengthened further through the establishment of Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor.
She stressed the need for inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan in the efforts for establishing a strong regional connectivity.
Thein Sein also invited her to visit Myanmar.
During talks with Hasina, the Chinese president expressed his satisfaction over the new Special Economic Zone in Bangladesh being set up for Chinese investors.
Both leaders discussed issues relating to bilateral interests of the two countries, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said.
Hasina also highlighted the investment opportunities for the Singaporean companies in Bangladesh during her talks with the Singaporean PM.
Later, Bangladesh PM attended a gala dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
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