Bangladesh and Uganda on Wednesday signed an instrument on the commencement of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two countries. Photo : MoFA

DHAKA, Oct 16, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Uganda on Wednesday signed an instrument on the commencement of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two countries, establishing a structured mechanism for regular discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda, where Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain led the Bangladesh delegation, according to a message revived here today.
 
Earlier in the day, the Foreign Adviser called for unity and reform of NAM's decision-making process to re-energize the Movement and enable member states to address shared vulnerabilities more effectively.

Speaking at the plenary of the conference, Touhid Hossain urged NAM members to concentrate more on "unity than on fragmentation and mistrust" and to build on the founding ideals of equality, solidarity and justice.

"At a time when we are discussing reforms across the United Nations (UN), we should also consider streamlining NAM's decision-making process to re-energize the Movement's unity," he said.

The Adviser noted that, following last year's mass uprising, the people of Bangladesh reaffirmed their commitment to undertake reforms to strengthen institutions, ensure rights and uphold accountability.
 
"It is now of critical importance to invest in empowering women and harnessing the power of youth to build a strong and prosperous nation," he added.

Later in the afternoon, the Foreign Adviser attended the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine, of which Bangladesh is a member. 

He reiterated Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, welcomed the recently agreed ceasefire in Gaza, and reaffirmed Bangladesh's support for a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine.

Touhid Hossain also drew attention to Bangladesh's continued humanitarian burden in hosting more than a million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar and urged the international community to help ensure their safe and voluntary return.

The Foreign Adviser is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Conference of NAM being held in Kampala under the theme "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence." 

The conference is expected to adopt a political declaration and a ministerial declaration on Palestine at its closing session today.
 
Established in 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement remains the world's largest group of nations outside formal military or political blocs, currently comprising 120 member states.

Uganda assumed the NAM chairmanship for four years in 2024 under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, ushering in a renewed phase of South-South cooperation.