Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen asserted that countries like Bangladesh, upon graduation, deserve continued Everything But Arms (EBA) facilities to address challenges and facilitate their transition. This statement came during a farewell meeting with Anne Gerard van Leeuwen, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh.
Dr Momen sought enhanced cooperation with Dutch expertise to achieve the goals of Delta Plan 2100, focusing on water and maritime resource management, land reclamation, coastal management, advanced agricultural technologies, high-variety seed production, and climate change adaptation. He expressed gratitude to the Dutch government for supporting the establishment of the ‘Global Centre on Adaptation’ in Bangladesh. The minister also highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in disaster preparedness, including cyclone shelters, advanced warning systems, and volunteer efforts.
Furthermore, Dr Momen emphasized the need for climate funding for countries like Bangladesh, which contribute the least to pollution. He suggested that merely 10% of the global defense budget could generate adequate funds for this purpose. He encouraged the Dutch to leverage Special Economic Zones, Hi-tech parks, and the vast pool of IT professionals in Bangladesh, particularly for investments in the IT and agro-processing sectors.
The minister expressed appreciation for the Dutch government’s political and financial support for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. He urged the continuation of such support while expressing concern over the declining trend of financial assistance for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
Ambassador Leeuwen praised Bangladesh as a captivating place to work and thanked the government for his comfortable and fruitful tour of duty. He fondly recalled his visits to the Sundarbans, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and North-Eastern districts of the country, where he admired the natural beauty, birds, and rivers.
The envoy commended Bangladesh’s remarkable socio-economic development despite the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. He praised the ongoing economic activities and the dynamism of its people. The Ambassador also expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for hosting 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen extended congratulations to Ambassador Leeuwen for successfully completing his tenure in Bangladesh and thanked him for his significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations.
