PM attends Munich Security ConferenceThe 53rd Munich Security Conference kicked off here on Friday where over 500 decision-makers from across the globe gathered for discussions on major international security challenges.

The participants, including more than 25 heads of state and government, 80 foreign and defence ministers, and strong delegations from the new US administration and from Congress, will also discuss critical security challenges, including the troubling state of the international order and the rise of liberalism around the world.

The chairman of the conference, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, formally opened the three-day meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with other world leaders, including Presidents of Poland and Afghanistan, Prime Minister of Norway as well as Foreign Ministers of Russia, China, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Iran attended the opening session.

German Federal Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen and US Secretary of Defence James N Mattis delivered their opening statements.

On Saturday morning, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US Vice-president Mike Pence and UN Secretary-General António Guterres will address the Munich audience.

The outgoing German Federal President Joachim Gauck will be awarded with this year's Ewald von Kleist Award on Saturday evening.

The UN Secretary General, representatives of other international organisations like NATO, EU, Green Peace and Transparency International are also joining the conference.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister along with participating leaders is scheduled to attend a reception to be hosted by the Mayor of Munich on Friday evening.

She will also attend the panel discussion on "Climate Security Good COP, Bad cops" session on Saturday and will deliver her speech highlighting security issues like climate change, water, food and migration.

On that day, Sheikh Hasina will hold bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Various issues related to bilateral and international concerns including trade and investment relation between Bangladesh and Germany as well as climate change and other issues are expected to be widely discussed at the meeting.

 

UNB