BD announces Indo-Pacific Outlook

Diplomatic Correspondent  :
Bangladesh has unveiled its Indo-Pacific Outlook, which aims to establish a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region that promotes shared prosperity for all.
The outlook has sets out 15 objectives that guide Bangladesh’s engagement in the region.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam read out the ‘Outlook’ during a curtain
raiser at the Foreign Ministry on Monday on the occasion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. He was flanked by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Seheli Sabrin.
Bangladesh, being a littoral State of the Bay of Bengal, believes that stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are crucial for its Vision 2041, which aims to build a modern, knowledge-based developed country by 2041, Shahriar said.
He said, “The Indo-Pacific area’s collective share in global GDP, preponderance in international trade, enhanced climate action and growing technological dynamism can be key determinants for ensuring Bangladesh’s long-term resilience and prosperity. Bangladesh, therefore, envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the shared prosperity for all.”
Guided by the principles of Friendship to all, malice towards none, respect for national sovereignty, equality, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of international disputes, respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter, and adherence to relevant UN treaties and international conventions, Bangladesh has developed a set of 15 objectives to guide its Indo-Pacific outlook and engagements, he said.
These objectives include strengthening mutual trust and respect, forging partnerships and cooperation, and promoting dialogue and understanding with the aim of ensuring peace, prosperity, security, and stability for all in the Indo-Pacific.
Bangladesh also aims to strengthen existing mechanisms on maritime safety and security, maintain meaningful and value-driven contributions to international non-proliferation, peacekeeping, peace-building, and counter-terrorism efforts, and support regional and international efforts towards combating transnational organised crimes.
The country seeks to expand its global lead on the flagship agenda of a ‘culture of peace,’ enhance focus on the ‘women, peace and security’ agenda, promote interfaith harmony, and work towards building peaceful, just and inclusive societies in the Indo-Pacific.
Bangladesh also aims to promote open, transparent, rules-based multilateral systems that enable equitable and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific and beyond through inclusive economic growth, right to development and shared prosperity for all.
The country intends to enhance physical, institutional, energy, digital, and human connectivity, facilitate the movement of goods, services, capital, and people, promote technology transfer, access to innovations, and responsible behavior in open and secure cyberspace and outer space.
Bangladesh aims to leverage its domestic agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors towards building resilient regional and global value chains to better manage future crises and disruptions and to promote unimpeded and free flow of commerce in the Indo-Pacific.
Bangladesh seeks to promote conservation, sustainable use, and management of oceans, seas, and marine resources in the Indo-Pacific in pursuance of SDG-14 and other relevant internationally agreed development commitments.
The country also aims to engage proactively in promoting food security, water solidarity, and disaster risk reduction in the Indo-Pacific, including through disseminating home-grown good practices.
Furthermore, Bangladesh aims to continue tangible work towards addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and other significant and harmful impacts on the environment in line with relevant international conventions and commitments.
The country seeks to foster cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries to ensure energy security for all, including through investment and technology transfer on renewable energy.
Lastly, Bangladesh aims to work towards developing a coordinated response to future pandemics and ensuring health security, including through access for all too global public goods like vaccines, diagnostics, and other treatments.
The country also seeks to collaborate with sub-regional partners and relevant organisations toward bolstering regional cooperation and enhancing mutually beneficial complementarities.
Bangladesh will also strengthen collaboration and cooperation in science, technology, research, and innovation for the shared benefits of all in keeping with the vision of ‘Smart Bangladesh.’