Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has reaffirmed that Bangladesh will work alongside ASEAN and all parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) to strengthen cooperation in addressing emerging threats.
Speaking today at a ceremony in Manila commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the TAC, Khalilur said global resilience against pandemics, climate shocks, cyber incidents, and supply chain disruptions can be enhanced through practical, coordinated initiatives.
He specifically proposed the development of joint early warning systems, shared risk assessments, and regional crisis response mechanisms.
Khalilur further outlined strategies to address modern challenges such as AI-induced cybercrimes and the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation on social media.
The TAC was established five decades ago to set regional norms for mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference. Bangladesh became one of the first South Asian nations to formalise its commitment to this normative order when it acceded to the treaty in 2007.
On the margins of TAC conference, Khalilur held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Chile, Netherlands, and Philippines, as well as the state minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
These discussions covered diverse issues including trade and investment, energy supply, water resource management, legal migration, and the circular economy.
Khalilur Rahman is currently visiting Manila to attend the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting and the commemorative activities for the TAC’s 50th anniversary.
