Deputy Foreign Minister Shama Obaed Islam has said the government is seeking alternative and diversified energy sources to ensure the country’s energy security.
She made the remarks Saturday at an event in the capital on “the upcoming UN General Assembly session and Bangladesh’s branding.”
Shama Obaed said, “Excessive dependence on a single source can create major pressure on the economy during a war or global crisis. That is why initiatives have been taken to diversify the energy sector.”
She said, “The government is working with various African countries on energy sources. At the same time, work is underway on solar power, waste-to-energy generation, new sources of LNG and the potential of the blue economy.”
Noting that the prime minister is placing great importance on the use of solar power, the deputy foreign minister said, “The Prime Minister’s Office building has been brought fully under solar power. Initiatives are being taken to gradually expand the use of solar power across various government offices and facilities.”
Highlighting the waste-to-energy initiative, Shama Obaed said, “Discussions are underway with China, Japan and other countries in this sector. At the same time, the government is trying to secure multiple sources for LNG imports.”
She added that economic diplomacy is one of the current government’s top priorities. The government is working to create an investment-friendly environment. New initiatives modeled on a “one-stop service” system have been taken to reduce harassment of investors, and the scope of digital services is being expanded.
“The government does not want to present Bangladesh to the world only as a country of floods, illegal migration or various crises. Rather, it wants to showcase Bangladesh’s democratic progress, economic potential, tourism, trade and culture on the international stage,” Shama Obaed added.
Calling the upcoming 81st session of the UN General Assembly extremely important for Bangladesh, the deputy foreign minister said that after returning to a democratic path, this session presents a major opportunity to showcase Bangladesh’s new potential and aspirations to the world.
She said this year’s session will discuss important global issues including the right to development, climate change, pandemic prevention and nuclear control. Bangladesh will also give due importance to raising the Rohingya crisis.
The deputy foreign minister further said, “Change isn’t possible overnight. But the government has begun working to bring qualitative change across various sectors, and wants to present Bangladesh to the world as a confident, responsible and promising nation.”
The event was chaired by M.S. Sekil Chowdhury, chairperson of the Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshis. Others who spoke included Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Nazneen Ahmed, Enforced Disappearances Commission member Noor Khan Liton, and BRAC Bank CEO Tareq Refat Ullah Khan.