Dhaka seeks NAM countries’ collaboration for timely access to Covid-19 vaccines

Dhaka has sought Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries' collaboration and political commitment for equitable and timely access to Covid-19 medicines and vaccines at affordable prices.

The call was made by Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, reaffirming Bangladesh's unswerving commitment to NAM values and stressing the need to foster cooperation among NAM member states to confront the challenges of the contemporary world, including the ongoing pandemic.

NAM is a forum of 120 developing world states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

In a recorded statement delivered at the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau today, Momen said on the 65th anniversary of the Bandung Principles, NAM membership must reflect on the movement's achievements so far, and endeavor to make NAM more relevant and effective to face the current and emerging global challenges, especially the Covid-19 pandemic.

Momen said that the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recognised the importance of the NAM and led Bangladesh to join the movement as early as 1973. Since then, Bangladesh remains an ardent supporter of NAM.

To confront the challenges of the pandemic and to keep development gains on track, NAM members must be guided by the movement's abiding principles, ideals and purposes in seeking to establish a peaceful and prosperous, just and equitable world, Foreign Minister emphasised.