Int’l platforms don’t work on time: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said there are many international platforms, but the forums don’t work in times of need.

“I think many platforms were already formed, but these don’t work in time,” she said responding to a question from Enayetullah Khan, Editor-in-Chief of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), at a press conference at Ganobhaban.

The press conference was organised to inform about the outcomes of her recent visit to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference-2024.

The prime minister said she doesn’t think of taking any initiative to create a new platform with middle powers or emerging powers as she is busy with Bangladesh and the large population on a small land.

Khan in his question said now Bangladesh is in a geopolitical conflict when the non-alliant platform has become irrelevant in the current political landscape. There are middle powers and emerging powers like ours (Bangladesh). Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam among them, he said.

“You (Sheikh Hasina) have led many issues starting from climate change to mother and child, and women empowerment (in the international forums). Do you think of taking an initiative to create a new platform with the middle powers and emerging powers?” asked the UNB Editor-in-Chief.

In reply, the premier said, “I am an ordinary person. I am busy with my country, its people, the large population on a small land (of the country). Yes, I raise my voice and protest where I see any injustice. I always say that I don’t want war, rather I want peace.”

Hasina, however, said she doesn‍‍`t have any competence and contemplation to form any platform like this.

She said vetoes are given even over proposals to stop the Gaza war in the United Nations Security Council as had been during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. But genocide continues in Gaza where even hospitals are not being spared of attacks and children don’t have foods.

“I protest such things. I am conscious enough over my power whatever I have. I don’t think that I need to do anything bigger than it,” she said.