Dhaka's Participation in 2nd Asian-African Conference Has Set a Milestone: PM

"The active and visible diplomatic participation of Bangladesh delegation in the summit has made it possible to take the image of the country and the government to a newer height at global level," she said.

The Prime Minister came up with the remarks while addressing a crowded press conference at her official Ganobhaban residence here this afternoon.

The press conference was arranged to brief the media about the outcome of the Prime Minister's just-concluded Indonesia visit.

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Prime Minister's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam were present on the dais.

At the outset of the press conference, Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the loss of life and property in Saturday's devastating earthquake that hit neighbouring Nepal, India, China and Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister said a 34-member delegation with medical equipment, tents and dry foods has already reached Nepal by a C-130 transport plane to conduct rescue operations and provide medical services to the injured. "We would remain beside the Nepalese people during their dreadful tragedy," she said.

About the 2nd Afro-Asian Summit, Sheikh Hasina said 34 heads of state or government and representatives from 105 member countries of the two continents joined the summit.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo formally inaugurated the three-day summit at Jakarta Convention Centre on the morning of April 22 (on Wednesday morning) held in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference.

The Prime Minister said she delivered a statement at a plenary session and called upon the Asian and African leaders to renew their commitments to work together in achieving a peaceful and prosperous global South.

Highlighting critical issues including fighting hunger and combating terrorism in context of the post-2015 development agenda, she had stressed the need for working unitedly to build a stable, prosperous and just world -- free from oppression, violence and extremism.

At the statement, she also elaborated impressive achievements of her government on socioeconomic fronts and women empowerment in last six years as well as concerns over negative impacts of climate change terming Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable countries.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that she sought international cooperation and urged the leaders to make strong commitment to face the adverse impact of climate change.

The prime Minister said she along with Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehlab co-chaired the Plenary Session-IV on the second day of the summit.

On the sidelines of the summit, she said, she held bilateral meetings and talks with a number of world leaders including the presidents of Indonesia, Iran and Myanmar as well as the prime ministers of Japan, Palestine, Singapore and Nepal.

Besides, she also held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Indonesian president Megawatti Soekarnoputri at Jakarta Convention Centre.

About her meeting with the Indonesian President, the Prime Minister said it has created opportunity to advance the bilateral relations with the largest Muslim country.

Sheikh Hasina said various issues came up for discussion at the talks including strengthening cooperation on trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, science and technology, education and cultural exchange, energy and mineral resources as well as on extracting sea resources.

After the meeting, she said, a joint statement was also issued identifying areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Putting emphasis on the holding of Bangladesh-Indonesia Joint Commission meeting, Sheikh Hasina said the two leaders also agreed to hold next meeting on foreign minister level in the second half of the year.

In this connection, she said the two leaders also underscored examining possibility of holding the Joint Commission meeting on a regular basis to enhance trade and commerce between the two countries.

About her bilateral meeting with the Japanese prime minister, she said she urged the government of Japan to invest more and enhance economic activities as well as expand its trade in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister said both the leaders also discussed implementation of various projects with Japanese assistance including the Matarbari 1320 ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant project.

She also called upon Japan to strengthen existing cooperation between the two countries on infrastructure and socioeconomic sectors as well as cooperation under Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt.

About her discussion with the Chinese president, the Prime Minister said she requested Xi Jinping for more Chinese investment in Bangladesh's various sectors.

While talking about her meeting with the president of Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina said both leaders underscored strengthening regional connectivity under the BCIM.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol