Kampala: Bangladesh and Uganda have entered into a significant agreement to initiate Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), creating a formal structure for periodic discussions on the comprehensive bilateral cooperation between the two nations. This pivotal agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda, where Md. Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser, led the Bangladesh delegation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Foreign Adviser emphasized the necessity for unity and reform within the Non-Aligned Movement during his participation in the conference. He advocated for enhancing the decision-making process of NAM to revitalize its unity, enabling member states to effectively address shared vulnerabilities. In his plenary speech, Hossain encouraged NAM members to focus on “unity than on fragmentation and mistrust” and to uphold the founding principles of equality, solidarity, and justice.
Hossain highlighted the commitment of the Bangladeshi people to reform and strengthen institutions, ensure rights, and uphold accountability following last year’s mass uprising. He stressed the importance of investing in women’s empowerment and leveraging the potential of youth to build a prosperous nation.
In the afternoon, the Foreign Adviser also participated in the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine, reiterating Bangladesh’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. He welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s endorsement of a two-state solution with pre-1967 borders, designating East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine. Furthermore, Hossain raised the issue of the humanitarian burden Bangladesh faces in hosting over a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, urging the global community to facilitate their safe and voluntary repatriation.
The Bangladesh delegation’s involvement in the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Conference of NAM, themed “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” underscores the country’s commitment to international cooperation and dialogue. The conference is anticipated to conclude with the adoption of a political declaration and a ministerial declaration on Palestine.
The Non-Aligned Movement, established in 1961, remains the largest coalition of countries outside formal military or political alliances, comprising 120 member states. Under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Uganda will assume the NAM chairmanship for four years starting in 2024, marking a new era of South-South cooperation.