Dhaka highlights youth’s role in democratic reforms at Commonwealth Summit

Foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has urged Commonwealth leaders to involve 1.5 billion youth in member states for a sustainable future, highlighting the role of Bangladesh’s youth in promoting recent democratic reforms in Bangladesh.

According to a news release from the foreign ministry today, he made the call during the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM-2024), which will take place in Apia, Samoa, from October 21–26.

On behalf of Chief Advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus, Touhid led the team from Bangladesh and urged Commonwealth leaders to cooperate on the Rohingya issue and climate change.
 
The summit, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth, held particular significance in light of global and geopolitical challenges.
 
King Charles III of the United Kingdom, who presided over the Commonwealth, opened the summit on October 25 with the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”

The Bangladesh Foreign Advisor spoke at the Heads of Government Retreat on October 26 and took part in the Executive Session on October 25 in addition to attending the inaugural ceremony.

The summit’s leaders talked on enhancing intra-Commonwealth commerce, cooperation, and communication for a sustainable future, as well as global economic, environmental, and security issues.
At the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small Islands, the Business Forum, the Youth Forum, and the Pre-CHOGM Foreign Ministers Meetings, Touhid led Bangladesh’s delegation and represented Dhaka’s position.

The foreign adviser attended several receptions, including the dinner hosted by His Majesty the King of Britain in honor of the heads of government.
 
In addition, Bangladesh and Samoa jointly organized 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, featured over 60 representatives, including ministers from Namibia, Jamaica, and the Maldives and the Foreign Secretary of Malta.
 
Youth delegates actively participated in the event, sharing their thoughts on promoting sustainable development and battling climate change.

In addition to the summit, the Foreign Advisor had bilateral talks with the foreign ministers of the UK, the Maldives, and Australia, as well as with the prime minister of Samoa and the deputy prime minister of Pakistan.

With an emphasis on Bangladesh’s dedication to democratic and human rights principles, these discussions examined potential paths for political and economic collaboration.

He brought up the ongoing proceedings at the International Criminal Court and reiterated Bangladesh’s demand that displaced Rohingya be returned to Myanmar during each meeting.
 
After the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa, the foreign advisor visited Auckland, New Zealand, where he met with the Bangladeshi community there.

Prior to this gathering, he had a courtesy meeting with New Zealand Senator Phil Twyford.