Dhaka: Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen called for the need to enhance cooperation among NAM member countries in tackling the challenges of the contemporary world, including the ongoing pandemic Covid-19.
He made the remarks in a recorded statement issued at a cabinet meeting of NAM's coordination bureau on Friday (October 9).
He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had recognized the importance of the alliance neutral movement and led Bangladesh to join the movement in early 1973. Since then, Bangladesh has been a strong supporter of NAM.
The basic aspirations of the common people of the world are to be free from hunger and disease, to get decent employment and to get quality education. However, the Covid-19 pandemic poses a serious challenge to these aspirations. At this time, the NAM countries must work with full solidarity and exchange best practices, experiences, crisis-management strategies, research to fight the invisible enemy.
He said co-operation and political commitment among member countries were needed to ensure that the drugs and vaccines for Covid-19 were affordable and timely. He sought the support of NAM countries to repatriate 11 lakh Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Dr. Momen said Covid-19 is likely to exacerbate existing global challenges, including poverty, climate change, drought, desertification, violence, extremism and conflict. Building better from the pandemic will require committed leadership and meaningful partnerships. In order to meet the challenge of the pandemic and continue our development, NAM members must be guided by the underlying principles, ideals and objectives of the movement to establish a peaceful and prosperous, just and equitable world