Momen stresses fostering cooperation among NAM members
He sought the support from NAM countries to repatriate the 1.1 million persecuted and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has stressed the importance of fostering cooperation among the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries to confront the challenges of the contemporary world, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
He siad this in his recorded statement delivered at the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau on Friday, reads a press release.
The minister said NAM membership must reflect on the Movement's achievements so far, and endeavour to make the NAM more relevant and effective to face the current and emerging global challenges, especially the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Dr Momen said since its inception, the NAM represented the basic aspirations of the common people of the world – to remain free from hunger and disease, to get decent employment and to achieve quality education.
As Covid-19 presents formidable challenges to these aspirations, NAM countries must work in full solidarity and pool their best practices, experiences, crisis-management protocols, research, and resources to fight the invisible enemy, the minister said.
The foreign minister underscored collaboration and political commitment among the member states on equitable and timely access to Covid-19 medicines and vaccines at affordable prices, guided by the spirit of fraternity and solidarity.
He sought the support from NAM states to repatriate the 1.1 million persecuted and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said Covid-19 is likely to exacerbate the existing global challenges including poverty, climate change, drought, desertification, violence, extremism, and conflicts.
"Building back better from the pandemic would necessitate committed leadership and meaningful partnership."
"To confront the challenges of the pandemic and to keep our development gains on track, NAM members must be guided by the movement's abiding principles, ideals and purposes to establish a peaceful and prosperous, just and equitable world," the minister emphasised.
