Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday called for a ‘robust and meaningful’ global partnership for timely implementation of the SDGs Agenda 2030 and reducing the risk of future disasters at the 44th G-77 foreign ministers’ meet.
The foreign ministry said he highlighted Bangladesh’s “comprehensive response plan” with a stimulus package of around $14.14 billion, which is 4.3 percent of the country’s GDP, to secure life and livelihood of the people to minimise the impact of the pandemic under the leadership of 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.
Momen further said “COVID-19 response and recovery process provides us with an opportunity to work together and respond collectively for building a more sustainable and resilient world”.
He emphasised 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 77 developing countries. Although the members of the G-77 have increased to 134 countries, the original name was retained due to its historic significance.
