Rohingya Repatriation: Dhaka seeks help from C’wealth

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has sought the Commonwealth's solidarity for smooth repatriation of Rohingyas to their home in Myanmar's Rakhine.

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

Momen highlighted the current impasse over the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) voluntary repatriation to Myanmar and their partial relocation to Bhasan 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 the bold decision to give shelter to a huge number of FDMNs and thus saving thousands of innocent lives.

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

They made these comments during the 21st 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.

Momen urged the Commonwealth member states to stand together more than ever for trade and economic recovery which was hampered due to the Covid-19 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-coronavirus recovery.

The foreign minister informed the meeting that as the leading 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.

Before this meeting, the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana was held on September 14, 2021, which was chaired by Momen.