Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has called for collective global action to tackle the ongoing energy crisis, warning that its impacts will persist beyond any short-term ceasefire and pose long-term risks to economies and multilateral cooperation. He made the call while addressing the 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) in Mauritius on Friday, according to a message received here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Khalilur Rahman emphasized that the energy crisis would not be resolved quickly, even in the event of a ceasefire, and its repercussions would be felt for years. He highlighted that the current energy challenges are causing disruptions and that these disturbances will continue to impact global economies. He further warned that the crisis could lead to a decline in multilateralism, urging nations to build internal resilience to withstand external pressures.
Dr Khalilur Rahman expressed concerns about the erosion of trust and confidence in the global system, stressing the importance of strengthening domestic resilience to better handle external challenges. He suggested that the present crisis could have a more significant impact than the oil shocks of the 1970s, indicating the severity of the risks posed by the current situation.
The foreign minister also addressed the growing challenges to multilateralism, noting the increase in unilateral actions within global frameworks, which he said are no longer effective in addressing these issues. He called for collective action, asserting that individual countries cannot tackle these challenges alone.
Discussing the Indian Ocean region, Dr Khalilur Rahman remarked on its turbulent phase, with severe energy challenges threatening both economies and societies. He urged for unity and inspiration from the region’s shared waters during these difficult times.
The conference, attended by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and others, is hosted by the India Foundation in association with the Government of Mauritius and India’s Ministry of External Affairs. It is being held under the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”