Khalilur calls for stronger ASEAN cooperation to tackle emerging threats

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ASEAN and its partners to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing emerging and transnational threats, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said.

Addressing a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in Manila, he underscored the need for practical and coordinated initiatives to enhance global resilience against pandemics, climate shocks, cyber incidents and supply chain disruptions, according to a foreign ministry press release issued on Friday.

Khalilur said joint early warning systems, shared risk assessments and regional crisis-response mechanisms could play a vital role in strengthening collective preparedness and resilience against such challenges.

He also outlined ways to address emerging threats posed by AI-enabled cybercrime, as well as misinformation and disinformation spread through social media.

Signed five decades ago, the TAC sets out the principles governing relations among states in the region, including mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Bangladesh acceded to the treaty in 2007, becoming one of the first South Asian countries to formalise its commitment to ASEAN's normative framework.

On the sidelines of the anniversary events, Khalilur held separate bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Chile, the Netherlands and the Philippines, as well as Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The meetings covered a range of issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy security, water resource management, legal migration and the circular economy.

Khalilur is currently in Manila to attend the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.