Bangladesh underscores commitment to peace and democracy at Dakar forum

Bangladesh has reiterated its commitment to democracy, global peace and inclusive development, with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam outlining the country’s priorities at the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa.

Speaking at a high-level panel moderated by Cheikh Niang, she said Bangladesh, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is moving along a renewed democratic path aimed at building a fair and prosperous society, according to a foreign ministry press release issued this morning.

She expressed gratitude to Senegal for being the first African nation to recognise Bangladesh’s independence and stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations. Recalling the visit of Ziaur Rahman to Senegal in March 1981, she said it had elevated ties between the two countries.

The state minister reaffirmed the BNP-led government’s focus on enhancing economic, digital, humanitarian and social protection programmes to improve living standards, while highlighting the role of young people in driving positive change.

Referring to Bangladesh’s contributions to UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding, she called for stronger international cooperation to promote global peace and advance the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda.

She paid tribute to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for her role in expanding women’s education and emphasised the importance of women’s participation in ensuring sustainable peace and stability.

Addressing challenges such as digital misinformation and online harassment, particularly against women, she proposed the creation of a global platform to strengthen digital sovereignty through coordinated international efforts—an idea that drew appreciation from participants.

She also offered to share Bangladesh’s experience in tackling climate change with vulnerable countries and noted that hosting forcibly displaced Rohingya people reflects the country’s humanitarian commitment.

On the sidelines of the forum, she held separate meetings with Onishi Yohei of Japan and Ana Isabel Xavier of Portugal to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, skills development, culture and sports.

She also explored opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, ICT, labour markets and infrastructure, and exchanged views with ministers from Oman, Chad and Switzerland.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco and concurrently accredited envoy to Senegal, Saida Faizunnesa, accompanied her at the forum.

The two-day conference was inaugurated by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, bringing together heads of state, ministers, senior officials, diplomats and civil society representatives from across Africa and beyond.