Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir on Monday joined the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation of Commonwealth nations to discuss progress made by different Commonwealth bodies and forums and provide guidance on the organisation's future action plans.
He led the Bangladesh delegation to the opening session of the pre-CHOGM Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting at the American University of Antigua in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda.
On Sunday evening, the acting foreign minister arrived in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which has the theme "Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth".
He is expected to make interventions at the high-level executive session of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Heads of Government-level meeting. On the sidelines, the Acting Foreign Minister will hold a series of bilateral meetings, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, but it could not be confirmed whether the two ministers would meet on the sidelines of the CHOGM.
The event is focusing on strengthening partnerships among member countries, promoting sustainable investment and addressing shared challenges, including climate resilience, trade, innovation and sustainable development.
Kobir's broader engagements at the CHOGM are expected to provide opportunities for Bangladesh to strengthen diplomatic relations and discuss issues of mutual interest with Commonwealth partners, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. He will attend the opening and executive sessions of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, as well as several foreign minister-level meetings and a number of bilateral meetings with ministers from other countries.
Why it matters
Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir's participation in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting provides Bangladesh an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties and discuss issues of mutual interest with international partners.