Seminar on “ASEM Day

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized a seminar on “ASEM Day: Celebrating and Fostering Connectivity” on 01 March 2020 at BIISS auditorium to celebrate the establishment of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum. His Excellency Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh was present at the seminar as the Chief Guest. His Excellency Mr Yan Hualong, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and Mr Bambang Prihartadi, Minister Counsellor​ of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia delivered special remarks at the seminar. The event was chaired by Ambassador M. Fazlul Karim, Chairman, BIISS, while Colonel Sheikh Masud Ahmed, SPP, psc, Acting Director General of BIISS delivered the opening remarks.

In his address, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud bin Momen added that Bangladesh seeks support from ASEM’s active members on issues that are important for everyone. Bangladesh has been providing shelter to more than 1.1 million Rohingyas who have fled prosecution in their homeland in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. ASEM has been and should be continuing to support the cause of the Rohingya people. Myanmar is also a member of ASEM. Hence, it is extremely important that ASEM member states create more pressure on Myanmar to create a more conducive environment so that the Rohingyas can return to Myanmar in a safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable manner. He mentioned that ASEM members have always been sympathetic to the Rohingyas but it is time to take concrete actions to help them.