Hasina wants OIC in climate battle

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought cooperation from the member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in fighting the adverse impacts of global climate change in Bangladesh.

The premier made the call as the OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu paid a courtesy call on her at the prime minister's office.

“Bangladesh, with its limited sources, is fighting against the threats of climate change and I urge the OIC member countries to come forward to help us in this regard,” Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mahbubul Hoque Shakil quoted her as saying.

The OIC secretary general lauded Bangladesh's efforts, especially the role of the prime minister in the international forum, in fighting the impact of climate change caused by the global warming.

During the meeting, they also discussed how to combat terrorism, bolster trade and business among the OIC member countries and improve education, science and technology.

“Currently, these are the priority agenda of the forum of Muslim countries,” Ekmeleddin informed Hasina, emphasising on fighting international terrorism.

Talking about terrorism, Hasina said the land of Bangladesh would never be used as the haven of any terrorist activities.

Ekmeleddin highly praised Bangladesh government's development initiatives hoping that the living standard of its people would improve under the able leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

He congratulated Hasina for the Awami League-led grand alliance's landslide victory in the December 29, 2008 parliamentary polls.

The OIC secretary general thanked Hasina as her cabinet on Monday ratified the protocol on the preferential tariff scheme.

Ekmeleddin believes that Bangladesh's ratification of the protocol would further bolster trade and business between the OIC member countries.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Abdul Karim and prime minister's Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman were also present during the meet.

Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a three-day visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.

During the visit, the secretary general will hold bilateral meetings with the president and other high-ranking government officials.

Ekmeleddin will pay a visit to the Islamic Foundation and attend the 23rd convocation ceremony of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), which is a subsidiary organ of the OIC.

He is also expected to visit Dhaka University and deliver a speech on 'OIC's Vision Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century' at a seminar.