PM leaves for Canada tomorrow

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave for Canada tomorrow to attend the Leaders Outreach Session of the industrialised countries grouping G7.

She would hold discussion on issues including the Rohingya crisis.

Briefing reporters at the foreign ministry yesterday afternoon, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said it was “unprecedented” for a government head of a developing country to get the invitation for a third time.

Hasina attended the Leaders Outreach meeting in 2016 in Japan and in 2001 in Italy.

The global leaders and heads of international organisations will meet G7 leaders to discuss how to build resilient coasts and communities, share ocean knowledge and science, and support sustainable fisheries.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday announced in Ottawa that his country would welcome 12 world leaders and heads of international organisations, to the G7 Summit to take part in a special Outreach Session on June 9.

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US are the members of the grouping.

Ali said Hasina's third invite was a recognition of the PM's strong role in world peace and development. “It is also recognition of her thoughts, philosophy, and steps to address climate change, women and children affairs and the blue economy,” he added.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been considered as an international leader for change in the international arena for her constructive role," said the foreign minister.

Apart from attending the session, the prime minister would hold bilateral meetings with her Canadian counterpart on June 10. She will also have meetings with other leaders.

Ali said trade, investment, cooperation in achieving SDGs, political consultations, cooperation in blue economy and Rohingya issue would be discussed in the bilateral meetings. "The two prime ministers will discuss quick and sustainable solution for the Rohingyas crisis," he said.

The prime minister would also discuss the return of the convicted Bangabandhu killer Noor Chowdhury, he said in reply to a question.

Hasina would deliver a speech on “Strengthening resilience through integrated adaptation planning, emergency preparedness and recovery”.

Trudeau invited President of Argentina and Chair of the G20 Mauricio Macri, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of Haiti and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Jovenel Moise, Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, President of Rwanda and Chair of the African Union Paul Kagame, President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of Seychelles Danny Faure, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank Kristalina Georgieva.

Hasina will return on June 12.