Expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis emanating from the irregular movement of people in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the world, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali informed the22nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) of the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ approach to human trafficking and people’s smuggling.
Describing Bangladesh’s impressive progress in human development that has drawn international recognition, he mentioned that there must be some other factors or forces at play beyond Bangladesh’s immediate control that create vulnerability or false incentives for people to risk their own lives at sea.
In this regard, the Foreign Minister sought the support of the security forum to address this problem. Mahmood Ali led the Bangladesh delegation at the 22nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Retreat and Plenary Sessions held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said a Foreign Ministry press release on Saturday.
In his statement made at the plenary session, the Foreign Minister deeply appreciated the programmes and activities being undertaken by the ARF in building confidence among the countries and to take the Forum towards its second stage of preventive diplomacy with the ultimate aim of conflict resolution.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and security, the minister mentioned that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, immediately after Bangladesh’s independence, underscored the need for peace and stability in the Indian subcontinent.
On the basis of Bangabandhu’s that vision, Bangladesh continued to pursue peace and security as its fundamental foreign policy objectives, he added. The Bangladesh Foreign Minister also shared a few of his thoughts with regard to the future direction of the ARF.
Later, the Foreign Minister also gave an exclusive interview with the BERNAMA, the national news agency of Malaysia on Bangladesh’s expectation from ASEAN and Bangladesh-Malaysia bilateral relations.
