13 November 2020, DHAKA:

Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen on Thursday calls for robust and meaningful global partnership for timely implementation of the Agenda 2030 and for reducing the risk of future disasters at the forty-fourth annual meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the G-77.

Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s comprehensive response plan with a stimulus packages of around US$ 14.14 billion (4.3% of GDP) to secure life and livelihood of the people to minimize the impact of the pandemic under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In his statement, He raised about the potential loss of global economy and simultaneous social costs due to covid-19 which would be almost impossible to quantify. He also referred to the Rohingya crisis that has caused double jeopardy for Bangladesh in tandem with the pandemic and heavily disrupted its phenomenal success towards achieving the SDGs.

Dr. Momen further said “COVID-19 response and recovery process provides us with an opportunity to work together and response collectively for building a more sustainable and resilient world”. He emphasized on the significance of ensuring equitable access to safe, effective and affordable Covid-19 vaccines and other preventive tools in his remarks.

In a virtual platform, Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Group of 77 and China met on the occasion of their forty-fourth annual meeting on 12 November and discussed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges faced by developing countries in the economic, social and environmental areas.

The Group of 77 (G-77) was established on 15 June 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries. Although the members of the G-77 have increased to 134 countries, the original name was retained due to its historic significance.