Dr AK Abdul Momen Bangladesh eyes global leadership, particularly in peace and security, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told the FE recently while narrating the objectives of the country's foreign policy.
During the interview, the minister who was Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations for a long time has also focused on public diplomacy, trade and investment, Rohingya crisis and his plan to align the foreign ministry with the government's development initiative.
"A key objective of our foreign policy is to protect the interests of Bangladesh. And we want to have global leadership, particularly in peace and security. Bangladesh has always been regarded as a peace-loving country in the world," he said.
It may be mentioned that Dr Momen was the coordinator for NAM Peacebuilding Caucus of the UN in 2010, the facilitator for the UN Counterterrorism Strategy Review and President of the UNICEF Executive Board.
He was elected a member of parliament from Sylhet-1 constituency and got berth in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's new cabinet as the foreign minister in January this year.
Dr Momen said, "One of my objectives is to equip the foreign ministry in such a manner so that it can play a proactive role in ensuring Bangladesh's advancement in the development highway in line with visions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
In every country of the world, the government has a stance. And there is the existence of public diplomacy to mobilise public opinion in favour of the government's policy.
"I also want to strengthen public diplomacy wing. Under this process, we can involve different groups of the society in the policy implementation process and we shall have more interactions with the civil society and other clusters."
"For example, think about Rohingya issue. Why the ministry will do all things? People can also take initiatives to mould global opinion. They can organise a big event in New York or in any capital of European countries to motivate the international community. We can attend the event as guests," he added.
"A large number of Bangladeshi expatriates live in England and other European countries. Let them do something. Let them be involved in the process of public diplomacy. I have plans to promote such things. In their own context, they will help the government. This type of public diplomacy is very common in America or in the West."
The foreign minister also gave vent to his feelings about what he said 'incorrect portrayal of Bangladesh affairs' in global media.
Many times Bangladesh is not correctly reflected in global media, he said, adding that he wants to ensure that Bangladesh is correctly reflected.
"Previously there was an image that Bangladesh is a poor country. Now many try to say that human rights are being violated in Bangladesh, but it is not true. Yes, there are one or two incidents but such incidents also happen in the western countries regularly and much more frequently. And when these things take place in the West that hardly get any media attention there."
"Unfortunately, if a single incident takes place here, media started to cry out loudly," he pointed out.
Asked whether he would focus on once-touted 'Look East Policy', the minister said they would do whatever will be required for the interests of the country.
Talking about the issue of attracting foreign investment, he said when any company comes to Bangladesh they come to serve their own interests first. "And we also get benefit. So, it is a win-win partnership. In a meeting with foreign entrepreneurs, I have made it clear that we don't want any dole rather we want investment and trading partners."
He seeks media role in fulfilling his objectives saying that media can help through constructive criticism.
Highlighting his plans on economic diplomacy, he said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country focuses to achieve three visions -- achieving middle-income country status by 2021, attaining SDGs by 2030 and making Bangladesh a prosperous country by 2041.
"To attain these are tough but these can be achievable through joint efforts. There are so many challenges. So, the foreign ministry's focus will be on economic diplomacy to implement these visions. We can contribute to various sectors like attracting investment and trade promotion."
"I have also told my ministry officials to calculate the loss resulted from losing GSP after graduation from LDC. We are also conducting an in-house research to find out potential sources of foreign investment that is required to attain SDGs. We have also a lot of scopes to work on the blue economy," he said.
The minister, however, repents at the state of information gap to the outer world on Bangladesh.
"Recently envoys of OIC countries met the Prime Minister to greet him on her polls victory. When the PM urged them to invest more in Bangladesh, one of the OIC envoys told her that it was not possible for a foreign investor to transfer profit or capital. Our PM told him that information is not correct as we give 100 per cent profit retention facility and we have tax holiday facility."
He said, "I was a bit upset to know that proper information about us is not available with many. Perhaps, people involved with the work of attracting FDI have failed to project correct information to them. So, I have decided to ensure that the facilities we are offering for foreign investors should be known to every country. So that such information gap can be removed."
The foreign minister has apparently a different approach to Rohingya issue as he was very straight forward in blaming the international community.
"Many countries praise us for providing shelter to a large number of Rohingyas. But my point is that we don't need only lip services. We need actions and result-oriented steps from the world community."
The world should remember that by providing shelter to Rohingya, our prime minister has saved the global leaders from shame because by doing so, the world could avert the third largest genocide. So, now the international community has to come forward proactively to resolve the crisis, he said.
"The long stay of the refugees here will also create uncertainty and may trigger instability in the region. So, neighbouring countries like China and India should be active to address the issue. Security impact would be very serious and the interests of regional countries would be affected."
Being critical of developed nations, the minister said, they say that atrocities were committed in Rakhine. "But at the same time, they are maintaining normal businesses with those who have committed crimes against humanity. Is it fair?"
The foreign minister, however, admitted that repatriation will take time. "It requires a lot of discussions. We have offered to create a safe zone in Rakhine to ensure safe and dignified return of Rohingyas. There is always accommodation in international diplomacy. It is a priority issue. It is tough but I am optimistic."
Prior to joining the United Nations, Dr Momen was the Chairman of Business Administration and Economics Department at Framingham State University in Massachusetts.
He also served as an Economic Adviser under the Saudi Ministry of Finance and National Economy prior to bombing in Riyadh in 2003. Besides, he worked as an adviser at the World Bank, Washington DC.
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