New York, 24 February 2023:
Today Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen M.P. attended an Ambassadorial-level meeting
at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York. The Meeting was participated by a
select group of Permanent Representatives from Argentina, China, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya,
Malaysia, Maldives, Malawi, Morocco, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Solomon
Islands, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.
While addressing the meeting as the chief guest, Foreign Minister reiterated his proposal to
create a Ministerial Forum on South-South Cooperation made at the BAPA+40 Conference, held in
Argentina in March 2019. He further explained that at that moment as there is no dedicated ministerial
platform under the auspices of South-South Cooperation, it is a high time to establish a forum
comprising the Foreign and Finance or Development Cooperation Ministers of the Global South for
them to regularly meet and exchange views on critical issues, discuss opportunities and challenges,
explore potentials, articulate likely solutions and share lessons learned on shared priorities and
concerns of the global south . “I have received very encouraging supports on my proposal from the
President of the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General and a number of Ministers from the Global
South”-he further added. Foreign Minister also expressed readiness to volunteer in hosting the first
meeting of such Ministerial Forum at a convenient time this year in Bangladesh to start off the process.
Referring to the critical role played by South-South Cooperation for achieving the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development and other internationally agreed development commitments, the
participating member states in the meeting expressed their deep gratitude to the leadership of
Bangladesh for the proposal of the establishment of a Ministerial forum. In brief deliberations during
the meeting Cuba, Kenya, Egypt, Rwanda, and Morocco voiced their commitment and whole-hearted
support to work closely with Bangladesh in the establishment of the Forum very soon. The
representatives of Singapore, South Africa and Nepal constructively engaged themselves in the
discussion. The participants considered the proposal as a stepping stone in exploiting the untapped
opportunities in the South-South Cooperation on multiple areas of interests including trade, finance,
investment and knowledge sharing.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York moderated the meeting and
delivered his welcome remarks. A representative from the UN Office for South-South Cooperation was
also present at the Meeting.