Bangladesh believes that the Asia-Pacific is the “most dynamic” region in the world in terms of economic growth.
“The center of the world’s economic gravity is shifting towards this region,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Saturday at the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting held virtually.
He said the main challenge of the ARF is to sustain the growth momentum.
“But the Pandemic now is a big challenge as every economic activity has been impacted by restrictive measures and our country has also suffered. The challenges posed by COVID-19 made us depend on digital technologies for efficient functioning of the economy.
“Driven by ‘Digital Bangladesh-Vision 2021’ of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh, today, is a reputed name in the global ICT landscape.
“We have over 125 million mobile phone users, 43 million internet users, 14 million Facebook users and 99% geographical coverage in voice and data connectivity, the country is on the fast track towards massive digitization.
“Registered mobile money accounts in Bangladesh are growing faster than in any other country and contributing immensely to large scale financial inclusion.
“Within ARF ambit we wish to contribute to the digital economy sector,” he said.
“Covid-19 showed us that accumulation of stockpiles of weapons cannot save human lives. Rather investment in medical and social areas can protect us from this Covid. Covid pandemic created fear and it locked us for weeks,” the foreign minister said.
He also drew attention of the global leaders that once vaccine is developed, it must be available to all without discrimination.
He also drew attention on the issues related climate changes that, he said, “could be bigger challenge for us unless countries aggressively pursue their NDCs and agree on loss and damages, adaption, mitigation issues and also on `Climate migrants’ people become floating people being uprooted from their homes due to sea level rise or river erosion.”
“Due to climate change, the global leadership may face more serious challenges. Therefore, we all must walk together in collaboration and in partnership to save our planet from the upcoming `planetary emergency’. We cannot look for plan B, as we have no other planet B. We must save this planet,” he said.
He also sought the ARF’s support for the return of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.
Viet Nam, the present chair of the Forum, hosted the meeting with the presence of foreign ministers, deputy foreign ministers and other delegates of the 26 ARF Member States and the Secretary General of the European External Action Service of the European Union which is also a member of ARF.
