Bangladesh says South-South cooperation critical for security, development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh on Wednesday urged the South countries to tighten relations as the cooperation among them is critical for harvesting sustainable development and securing stability.

Speaking at the Asian-African Summit, the prime minister said " the South countries account for half of the world's GDP, produce half of its economic output and conduct more than half of world trade. The South-South cooperation is therefore critical for attaining sustainable development and building resilience of South countries."

The summit, which runs through April 23, saw a number of participants focusing on issues about sustainable development and the fight against terrorism.

"Durable peace and security are pre-conditions of sustainable development. Volatile regional and global security situation, terrorism and violent extremism continue to challenge development gains and efforts toward peace and prosperity," said Sheikh Hasina.

The prime minister maintained that South-South and triangular cooperation had immense potential to foster development, achieve peace and security, fight terrorism and violent extremism, as well as combat human trafficking and climate change consequences.

"It is critical that Southern economies work together to overcome the development challenges to ensure pro-peole, pro-poor, pro-planet strategy," Sheikh Hasina said.

Bangladesh, a country which made on average 6 percent GDP growth over the last six years amid global recession, sent a 59- member delegation to Jakarta for commemoration events for the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference. Endi