Dhaka, Delhi can play a catalytic role for Global South: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Dhaka and New Delhi together could play a catalytic role in promoting the cause and interests of the Global South in the region and beyond.

"Our unity, collaboration, and shared vision would define the spirit of our joint efforts towards the Global South," he said.

The Bangladesh foreign minister was speaking at the Foreign Ministers' Session of the '2nd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS 2.0),' hosted by India, held virtually on Friday.

He said Bangladesh and India under the visionary leadership of Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi have been following a policy of shared prosperity as a vision for the friendly neighbours of South Asia.

"We believe, sustainable regional peace and stability will be mutually beneficial for the wellbeing of neighbouring countries," he said, adding that Bangladesh guided by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is advocating for inclusive development in the region through the promotion of the culture of peace.

Momen emphasized the need to 'reward rather than punish' the countries graduating from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group, and urged the continuation of duty-free and quota-free market access for the graduating LDCs for at least six years.

He also called for collective efforts to fulfil commitments in reducing and limiting global temperature rise, urging developed countries to provide more climate finance and technologies.

Momen also advocated for necessary reforms in multilateral institutions, international financial architecture, and terms of trade, ensuring greater representation of Global South countries in decision-making processes

The foreign minister urged support from the world for the early repatriation of 1.2 million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals, the Rohingyas in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, back to Myanmar.

He said The Global South hosts most of the world's refugees and displaced people due to proxy wars and conflicts which are adding to the existing challenges of the Global South while Bangladesh would strongly recommend stopping war.

The foreign minister said he wanted to create a forum of southern countries to discuss the critical issues of the South and to explore the potential of the Southern Countries.

Chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, the session under the theme of 'India and the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future" was attended by foreign ministers from Global South countries namely Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Djibouti, Mongolia, Cambodia, among others.

/KN/