Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to democracy, global peace and inclusive development at the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, where State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam outlined the country’s priorities.
Speaking at a high-level panel moderated by Senegal’s Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang, she said Bangladesh, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is pursuing a new democratic trajectory aimed at building an equitable and prosperous state, according to a foreign ministry statement issued in Dhaka on Tuesday.
She thanked Senegal for being the first African nation to recognise Bangladesh’s independence and stressed the need to deepen bilateral relations. Recalling a visit by Ziaur Rahman to Senegal in March 1981, she said it had elevated ties between the two countries.
The state minister reiterated the government’s focus on strengthening economic, digital, humanitarian and social protection programmes to improve living standards, while highlighting the role of young people in driving positive social change.
Referring to Bangladesh’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, she called for collective international action to advance global peace and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. She also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for expanding women’s education and underlined the importance of women’s participation in ensuring sustainable peace and stability.
Addressing the risks of digital misinformation and online harassment, particularly targeting women, she proposed the creation of a global platform to strengthen digital sovereignty through coordinated international efforts, a suggestion that drew appreciation from participants.
She said Bangladesh was ready to share its experience in addressing climate change impacts with vulnerable countries and noted that sheltering forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Myanmar reflects its commitment to humanitarian values.
On the sidelines of the forum, she held separate meetings with Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Onishi Yohei and Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ana Isabel Xavier, discussing ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology, skills development, culture and sport. She also explored collaboration in renewable energy, information and communication technology, labour markets and infrastructure, and held brief exchanges with ministers from Oman, Chad and Switzerland.
Bangladesh’s ambassador to Morocco and concurrently accredited envoy to Senegal, Saida Faizunnesa, accompanied the delegation.
The two-day conference was inaugurated by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and brought together heads of state, ministers, senior officials, diplomats and civil society representatives from across Africa and beyond.
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