Bangladesh has urged coordinated international action to address the escalating energy crisis, warning that disruptions to global fuel systems will persist beyond any short-term geopolitical ceasefire and continue to strain economies.
Speaking at the Indian Ocean Conference 2026 in Port Louis, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said the current instability in energy markets reflects deeper structural weaknesses rather than a temporary shock. The foreign minister cautioned that even if tensions ease in conflict-affected regions, energy supply disruptions will not be resolved within weeks and will have lasting economic consequences.
The foreign minister said the ongoing volatility in fuel supply chains is already creating widespread disruption, with effects expected to carry into the coming years. The foreign minister warned that all countries are being affected as rising energy costs and uncertainty weaken economic stability, particularly in import-dependent economies.
From an energy policy perspective, the foreign minister highlighted the growing risk that the current crisis could surpass the impact of the 1970s oil shocks. The foreign minister said such a scenario would expose countries to deeper and more prolonged economic stress, underlining the urgency of coordinated global action.
Dr Khalilur Rahman also pointed to the weakening of multilateral cooperation as a critical factor worsening the crisis. The foreign minister said declining trust in global systems and the rise of unilateral decision-making have reduced the effectiveness of collective responses to energy disruptions. The foreign minister added that existing international frameworks are no longer sufficient to manage the scale and complexity of current challenges.
He stressed that strengthening domestic energy resilience must go hand in hand with global cooperation. The foreign minister said countries need to reinforce their internal capacity to manage external shocks, including improving energy security, diversifying supply sources and building economic stability.
Referring to the Indian Ocean region, Dr Khalilur Rahman described it as entering a turbulent phase where energy challenges are placing significant pressure on economies and societies. The foreign minister said the region’s strategic maritime space should act as a platform for cooperation, not division, particularly as critical energy routes remain vulnerable to disruption.
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also addressed the conference, highlighting the need for stronger regional coordination.
The conference, hosted by the India Foundation in association with the governments of Mauritius and India, is being held under the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance", with a focus on strengthening cooperation in energy security and maritime stability.
