Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a strong impression on the international stage with her advocacy for climate change action and peace in Ukraine and Gaza. She attended the 2024 Munich Security Conference (MSC) from February 16 to 18, where she met with several world leaders and delivered a keynote speech.
PM Hasina, who won her fifth term in office in January 2024, has shown her diplomatic skills and political vision by balancing the interests of her country with the global challenges.
Hasina Calls for Diverting War Finance to Climate Finance
“Senseless arms race must be stopped and resources need to be diverted into mobilizing the much-needed funds for fighting climate change,”
– Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
In her speech at the MSC, Hasina urged the world to divert the funds spent on wars and conflicts to climate finance, which she said would benefit both the environment and the security of the planet. She said that Bangladesh, as one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, has been spending 2.5% of its GDP on adaptation and mitigation measures, while also pursuing a low-carbon development path. She called for more support from the developed countries to fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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Hasina also highlighted the role of women in addressing climate change and promoting peace and said that Bangladesh has been empowering women in various sectors, including the security forces. She said that Bangladesh has the highest number of female peacekeepers in the UN missions and that women constitute 30% of the parliament and 50% of the cabinet. She said that women’s participation and leadership are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring human rights and dignity.
Hasina Meets Zelenskyy
Hasina also held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the MSC. The two leaders discussed various issues of mutual and global interests and expressed their desire to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, education, and culture.
Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She also praised Ukraine’s efforts to reform its economy and governance and to combat corruption and terrorism.
Zelenskyy thanked Hasina for her support and solidarity and said that Bangladesh is a reliable partner and friend of Ukraine. He also appreciated Bangladesh’s achievements in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and women empowerment. He invited Hasina to visit Ukraine at a convenient time and expressed his hope to visit Bangladesh soon.
Bangladesh Denounces Russia’s Actions but Maintains Strong Ties with Moscow
In April 2023, Hasina signed a joint declaration with Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, denouncing Russia’s actions and calling for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The declaration also reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and pledged to cooperate in various fields, including infrastructure, energy, health, and disaster management.
However, Hasina’s stance on Russia did not affect Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with Moscow, which have been historically friendly and cordial. Bangladesh and Russia have maintained close ties in defense, nuclear energy, trade, and culture, and have exchanged high-level visits and agreements.
In 2018, Hasina visited Russia and met with President Vladimir Putin, who praised Bangladesh’s progress and potential and assured his support for its development. Russia continues the construction of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh, which is expected to start operation soon.
Russia was one of the first nations to congratulate PM Hasina on her historic fifth-term win. Russia has continued to maintain strong economic and diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.
PM Calls Gaza War an Invasion and Genocide, Backs Two-state Solution
Hasina also expressed her concern and anguish over the ongoing war in Gaza, where Israel has launched a massive military offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, killing thousands of civilians and displacing thousands more.
She called the war an invasion and a genocide and said that Israel’s actions are violating the human rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. She urged the international community to intervene and stop the bloodshed, and to ensure humanitarian access and protection for the victims.
Hasina also reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and said that a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine is the only viable option for a lasting peace in the region.
She said that Bangladesh, as a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement, has been consistently raising its voice for the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people, and has been providing humanitarian assistance to them.
US, EU, Japan, and China Reiterate Commitment to Bangladesh
Hasina’s participation in the MSC and her meetings with various leaders also demonstrated the importance and relevance of Bangladesh in the international arena. Bangladesh, as a fast-growing and populous country, has attracted the attention and interest of major powers, such as the US, the EU, Japan, and China, who have been competing for influence and cooperation in the region.
Post-election, the US, the EU, Japan, and China all reiterated their commitment to support Bangladesh’s development and stability, and to enhance their partnership in various fields, such as trade, investment, energy, connectivity, health, and education.
They also appreciated Bangladesh’s role in hosting and supporting the Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and pledged to continue their humanitarian and diplomatic assistance to resolve the crisis. They also acknowledged Bangladesh’s contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations, and the regional and global peace and security.
Hasina Shows Brilliance by Balancing East and West
Hasina’s performance at the MSC and her interactions with various leaders showed her brilliance and skill in balancing the interests and expectations of the East and West, and in pursuing a pragmatic and independent foreign policy.
Hasina has been able to maintain good relations with both China and India, the two Asian giants and to leverage their economic and strategic cooperation for Bangladesh’s benefit. She has also been able to cultivate a strong and cordial relationship with Japan, which has been a major donor and partner of Bangladesh for decades. She has also been able to engage with the US and the EU, the leading Western powers and markets, and to address their concerns and demands on issues such as democracy, human rights, and labor standards.
Hasina has also been able to project Bangladesh as a responsible and constructive actor in the international community and to raise its profile and prestige in various forums and platforms. She has been able to articulate Bangladesh’s views and positions on various global issues, such as climate change, peace and security, development and cooperation, and women and youth empowerment. She has also been able to showcase Bangladesh’s achievements and potentials and to attract more investment and partnership from the international community.
Conclusion
PM Hasina’s participation in the MSC and her meetings with various leaders have been a successful and fruitful exercise for Bangladesh and its foreign policy. Hasina has been able to elevate Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with several countries to a strategic level, and to enhance its role and influence in the regional and global affairs.
She has also been able to advocate for the causes and interests of Bangladesh and its people, and to seek more support and cooperation from the international community. She has also been able to demonstrate her diplomatic skills and political vision and to balance the interests and expectations of the East and West. Hasina has proven herself as a leader of stature and substance and as a champion of peace and development.
