DHAKA: State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh is committed to work together with the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) for ensuring a blue, pro-people, pro-planet sustainable world for all.
The state minister made the assertion while addressing the ‘3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States’ held in Apia, Samoa.
With the overarching theme of ‘the sustainable development of Small Island developing States through genuine and durable partnerships’ and the slogan ‘Island Voices, Global Choices,’ the conference generated great interest among member states.
A large number of high-level delegation from over 100 countries including Heads of States, Heads of Governments, Ministers, Senior officials, and representatives of international agencies and non-government organizations attended the conference.
The Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi inaugurated the session. The opening session featured statements by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of the General Assembly John Ashe.
The State Minister, in his statement, highlighted that ‘climate vulnerable countries suffer without contributing even a miniscule portion to global climate change, he mentioned.
He urged all countries to respond to 2 degree celcius stabilization target and for a broad-based support to the climate vulnerable countries specially LDCs through predictable finance and development of and access to adaptive, life-saving technology.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Minister held a number of bilateral meetings with Head of Delegation of other countries. These includes, Prime Ministers of Timor-Leste, Tonga; Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands; Foreign Ministers of Tuvalu, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Grenada, Vanuatu, Saint Lucia, Nauru, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Energy Minister of Comoros and Environment Minister of Palau.
During these meetings, he apprised other heads of delegation of the achievements of the present Government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina specially in the area of poverty eradication, socio-economic development, women empowerment, Girls' Education and Information and communication technology.
He also sought their support for Bangladesh's candidacy to the Human Rights Council, ITU (International Telecommunication Union), CPA (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association) IPU (Inter- Parliamentary Union).
The State Minister arrived in Apia on 01 September to lead Bangladesh delegation to the four-day Conference. Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Dr AK Abdul Momen accompanied the minister.
BDST: 2005 HRS, SEP 02, 2014
