Dhaka emphasizes the importance of youth in driving democratic reforms at the Commonwealth Summit

Highlighting the vital role of Bangladesh's youth in advancing recent democratic reforms, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain urged Commonwealth leaders to engage the 1.5 billion young people across member states for a sustainable future.

He made this appeal during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM-2024) held in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26, as reported in a foreign ministry press release on Thursday.

Leading the Bangladeshi delegation on behalf of Chief Advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus, Touhid also called for collaborative efforts among Commonwealth leaders to address climate change and the Rohingya crisis.

The summit, marking the 75th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth, was particularly significant amid global and geopolitical challenges.

The Commonwealth’s head, King Charles III of the United Kingdom, opened the summit on October 25 under the theme "One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth."

In addition to attending the opening ceremony, the Foreign Adviser participated in the Executive Session on October 25 and delivered remarks at the Heads of Government Retreat on October 26.

Leaders at the summit discussed pressing global economic, environmental, and security issues, as well as strengthening intra-Commonwealth communication, trade, and cooperation for a sustainable future.

Touhid represented Bangladesh at the Youth Forum, Business Forum, Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small Islands, and the Pre-CHOGM Foreign Ministers Meetings, articulating Dhaka's positions at each event.

He also attended various receptions, including a dinner hosted by His Majesty the King of Britain in honor of the heads of government.

Moreover, Bangladesh and Samoa co-hosted one of the 37 side events at this year’s summit titled "Climate Vulnerability and Resilient Youth: Towards a Net Zero Future." The event, co-chaired by Bangladesh's Foreign Advisor and Samoa's Minister for Women and Social Welfare, gathered over 60 representatives, including ministers from Namibia, Jamaica, and the Maldives, as well as the Foreign Secretary of Malta. Youth delegates actively participated, sharing their views on combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Alongside the summit activities, the Foreign Advisor met with Samoa's Prime Minister and held bilateral discussions with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and the foreign ministers of the UK, Maldives, and Australia. These meetings explored opportunities for political and economic collaboration, focusing on Bangladesh's commitment to democratic and human rights values.

In all discussions, he reiterated Bangladesh's call for the repatriation of displaced Rohingya to Myanmar and emphasized the ongoing proceedings at the International Criminal Court.

Following the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa, the Foreign Advisor visited Auckland, New Zealand, where he met with the Bangladeshi community. Prior to this engagement, he had a courtesy meeting with New Zealand Senator Phil Twyford.