By Aminul Islam Mirja, NNN-BSS,
Colombo : Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed made a clarion call to SAARC member countries for strengthening regional initiatives to face the challenges of food security, energy crisis and climate change to build a prosperous future of one-fifth of the humanity living in South Asia.
He put emphasis on taking collective initiatives for protecting the rights of expatriate workers of the SAARC countries and increasing peoples connectivity in this region.
The Chief Adviser also laid stress on establishing structural cooperation among the armed forces of the SAARC countries, which are making big contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
“The global economic slowdown, soaring energy and food prices, and growing threat of climate change are driving the destitute people of the region even below the poverty line. The poor are the first and worst affected by these global crises ” he added.
In this context, the Chief Adviser urged all to ratify SAARC Agreement on FOOD Bank as soon as possible for welfare of the millions.
Dr Fakhruddin said this while addressing the inaugural session of 15th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Hall (BMIH) in Colombo on Saturday.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opened the regional summit as the outgoing chairman of SAARC.
New Chairman of SAARC and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave the inaugural address and chaired the opening session.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan President received Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and his spouse Neena Ahmed at the venue.
The 15th SAARC Summit began here Saturday noon amid Sri Lankan traditional festivity under tight security.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yosuf Raja Gilani, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Nepalese Prime Minster Girija Prasad Koirala, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigme Y. Thinley and the Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom were in the dais and addressed the session.
Representatives from the observer countries also addressed the session.
Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Principal Secretary Ali Imam Majumder, Foreign Secretary M. Touhid Hossain and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim were present.
The audience highly appreciated the speech of Dr Fakhhruddin Ahmed and supported him by clappings.
Dr Fakhruddin said the recent spike in food prices globally is a crisis that has led us all to reflect deeply on how to ensure our collective food security.
Working together to ensure a constant and steady supply of food for our people is an important area for regional initiatives, he added.
Dr Fakhruddin said the unprecedented rise in the price of food-grains is disproportionately affecting the poor in many of our countries. In this context, I would urge ratification of the SAARC Agreement on Food Bank as soon as possible by all member-states.
He said Bangladesh suggested a methodology for structural contact among our armed forces. Already at bilateral level such link exists. Together we provide a huge majority of world peacekeepers. I believe it may be worthwhile to device such a system that can periodically bring the senior officials of armed forces together to determine how best we can advance our mutual interest. We may also share training facilities under the scheme, he added.
Pointing to huge number of workers serving in abroad from the SAARC region, Dr Fakhruddin said we should collaborate and strengthen our capacity to negotiate better term and condition of work for promoting their welfare and protect their rights.
Congratulating President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his election to the Chair of SAARC, the Chief Adviser extended heartfelt appreciation to the government and the people of Sri Lanka for gracious hospitality and warm reception accorded to him and to the Bangladesh delegation.
Dr Fakhruddin also extended deep appreciation to India for successfully steering the Association during the past tenure.
In particular, the Chief Adviser thanked Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for his personal commitment and leadership in invigorating the Association with greater dynamism and enthusiasm.
He welcomed Afghanistan into SAFTA that will complete its integration the SAARC process.
Last year, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed attended the 14th SAARC Summit held in New Delhi.