CA for SAARC initiatives to face challenges of food , energy security, climate

COLOMBO, Aug 2 (BSS)- Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr
Fakhruddin Ahmed
today made a clarion call to SAARC member countries for
strengthening regional initiatives to face the challenges of food
security, energy crisis and climate change to build a prosperous
future of one-fifth of the humanity living in South Asia.

He put emphasis on taking collective initiatives for
protecting the rights of expatriate workers of the SAARC
countries and increasing peoples connectivity in this region.

The Chief Adviser also laid stress on establishing structural
cooperation among the armed forces of the SAARC countries, which
are making big contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions
across the world.

"The global economic slowdown, soaring energy and food
prices, and growing threat of climate change are driving the
destitute people of the region even below the poverty line. The
poor are the first and worst affected by these global crises " he
added.

In this context, the Chief Adviser urged all to ratify SAARC
Agreement on FOOD Bank as soon as possible for welfare of the
millions.

Dr Fakhruddin said this while addressing the inaugural
session of 15th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation) Summit at the Bandaranaike Memorial International
Hall (BMIH) in Colombo.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opened the regional
summit as the outgoing chairman of SAARC.

New Chairman of SAARC and Sri Lankan President Mahinda
Rajapaksa gave the inaugural address and chaired the opening
session.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan President received Chief Adviser Dr
Fakhruddin Ahmed and his spouse Neena Ahmed at the venue.

The 15th SAARC Summit began here this noon amid Sri Lankan
traditional festivity under tight security.

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Prime
Minister Syed Yosuf Raja Gilani, Afghanistan President Hamid
Karzai, Nepalese Prime Minster Girija Prasad Koirala, Bhutanese
Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigme Y. Thinley and the Maldives President
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom were in the dais and addressed the session.

Representatives from the observer countries also addressed
the session.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Principal
Secretary Ali Imam Majumder, Foreign Secretary M. Touhid Hossain
and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim were
present.

The audience highly appreciated the speech of Dr Fakhhruddin
Ahmed and supported him by clappings.

Dr Fakhruddin said the recent spike in food prices globally
is a crisis that has led us all to reflect deeply on how to
ensure our collective food security.

Working together to ensure a constant and steady supply of
food for our people is an important area for regional
initiatives, he added.

Dr Fakhruddin said the unprecedented rise in the price of
food-grains is disproportionately affecting the poor in many of
our countries. In this context, I would urge ratification of the
SAARC Agreement on Food Bank as soon as possible by all member-
states.

He said Bangladesh suggested a methodology for structural
contact among our armed forces. Already at bilateral level such
link exists. Together we provide a huge majority of world
peacekeepers. I believe it may be worthwhile to device such a
system that can periodically bring the senior officials of armed
forces together to determine how best we can advance our mutual
interest. We may also share training facilities under the scheme,
he added.

Pointing to huge number of workers serving in abroad from
the SAARC region, Dr Fakhruddin said we should collaborate and
strengthen our capacity to negotiate better term and condition of
work for promoting their welfare and protect their rights.

Congratulating President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his election
to the Chair of SAARC, the Chief Adviser extended heartfelt
appreciation to the government and the people of Sri Lanka for
gracious hospitality and warm reception accorded to him and to
the Bangladesh delegation.

Dr Fakhruddin also extended deep appreciation to India for
successfully steering the Association during the past tenure.

In particular, the Chief Adviser thanked Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh for his personal commitment and leadership in
invigorating the Association with greater dynamism and
enthusiasm.

He welcomed Afghanistan into SAFTA that will complete its
integration the SAARC process.

Last year, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed attended the 14th SAARC
Summit held in New Delhi.