Indian Ocean countries must unite to tackle energy crisis: Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has said that even if conflicts in the Middle East come to a ceasefire, the global energy crisis will persist. 

He emphasised that countries in the Indian Ocean region must unite to address the energy shortages caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions.

He made these remarks while speaking at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) on Friday.

The Foreign Minister noted that the Indian Ocean region is going through a turbulent period, where energy shortages are threatening the economies and societies of many countries. 

He stressed the need for regional cooperation, mutual understanding of each other’s needs, and recognition of shared resources.

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Highlighting the need to reassess the global economic security framework, he said that as long-standing political and economic assumptions continue to shift, it is increasingly important to consider how to best protect socio-economically marginalized and environmentally vulnerable populations, safeguard development gains, and respond effectively to crises.

At the conference, he referred to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s call for expanding micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He said the Prime Minister has proposed building a “super sourcing hub” aimed at further integrating Bangladesh into regional and global supply chains and digital trade, while strengthening MSMEs across districts and coastal areas to connect local innovation with global demand.