Special Correspondent: Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to work with ASEAN and all parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia to address emerging regional and global threats.
Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman made the remarks today at the commemorative ceremony of the 50th Anniversary of the TAC in Manila. He said resilience against pandemics, climate shocks, cyber incidents and supply chain disruptions can be strengthened through practical cooperation. He suggested joint early warning systems, shared risk assessments, and regional crisis response mechanisms as ways forward.
The Foreign Minister noted that the challenges have changed in the last five decades. He pointed to AI-induced cybercrimes and the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media as areas where regional coordination is now essential.
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation was signed 50 years ago to uphold mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference among ASEAN countries. Bangladesh acceded to the treaty in 2007, becoming one of the first South Asian nations to formally align with ASEAN’s normative framework.
On the sidelines of the event, Dr. Rahman held bilateral talks with the Foreign Ministers of Chile, the Netherlands and the Philippines, and with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar. The discussions covered trade and investment, energy supply, water resource management, legal migration and the circular economy.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman is currently in Manila to attend the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the anniversary programs of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.