GCRG Meeting: PM calls for end to war in Ukraine

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the international community to take steps for an amicable end to the Ukraine war as the effects of the prolonged war are destabilising the world.

“I emphasise again on the urgent need for an amicable end to the Ukraine war. The effects of sanctions and counter-sanctions imposed on the warring parties are continuing to have a destabilising effect on the world,” she said.

The premier made this call while addressing a meeting of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) on Food, Energy and Finance through a videoconference from Gono Bhaban, her official residence.

Hasina said the war is not only destroying many lives in the conflict zone, but also is wreaking havoc on people across the globe.

She said conflict is raging on despite the need for an early solution.

“In fact, newer sophisticated armaments of war are being introduced every day there bringing yet more destruction and causing severe adverse effects on people’s lives all over the world,” she said.

The premier said poverty and inequalities continue to sharply rise, and the debt burden for the poorer countries is swelling.

“These and other shocks have driven up the prices of food, energy, and other commodities across the world, causing delays in the progress of Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

“During this time of growing instability, international cooperation is clearly vital to the vulnerable among the global community to build resilience against future shocks,” she added.

The PM said factors that affect food price and access, such as export restrictions, stockpiling and supply chain distortions, must be addressed.

On climate issue, the PM demanded concrete progress on the “Loss and Damage Fund. Also, developing countries should not be affected by the proposed carbon levy in the shipping sector, she added.

The GCRG was set up by the UNSG in March 2022 to address urgent and critical global issues pertaining to interlinked crises in food security, energy, and finance and to coordinate a global response. The GCRG is overseen by the Champions Group comprising the head of state or the head of government of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.