Joint op-ed by the Ambassadors of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and EU, published on The Business Standard
Standing up for genuine multilateralism – a shared imperative for the EU and Bangladesh: 8 European ambassadors
Europe, Bangladesh, all of us, are facing a stark choice. Between a rules-based international order rooted in genuine multilateralism and a chaotic world of unilateralism, violence and disruption.
The European Union, with its 27 Member states, knows where it stands.
At a time when the UN system is facing major funding difficulties, the EU and the Member States’ collective financial contribution to the UN has reached its highest level ever and we are maintaining our commitments to finance – and cooperate on – global challenges. As EU, we account for just 5.5% of the global population and 14.7% of global GDP, yet we deliver 30.9% of global humanitarian aid and finance 43% of Official Development Assistance worldwide.
We have long taken a lead in combatting climate change, which knows no borders, and affects Europeans and Bangladeshis alike. We are in this together. While others continue to carbonise, even as extreme weather has become commonplace, the EU has decoupled economic growth from emissions. Our commitment to the Paris Agreement and our 2050 net zero target stand firm. Through extensive climate diplomacy and support to the UN on climate, the EU is standing up for rules-based, inclusive climate negotiations and common solutions for common problems.
At a time when international cooperation is being tested, the value of strong and reliable partnerships has never been greater. For the past 25 years, the EU’s ‘Everything But Arms’ initiative has provided Bangladesh with predictable, duty-free and quota free access to our market. This has fuelled Bangladesh’s remarkable success story in ready-made garments and other sectors, providing millions with livelihoods and leading the country to the cusp of graduation. We have mobilised billions of euros in development cooperation. The EU and Member states’ budgets are underpinning billions more in investments, both public and private. And 350,000 Bangladeshi citizens live, work and study legally in the European Union, building our common future and prosperity.
Our starting point for our dialogue with Bangladesh is that sustainable development is about building partnerships, not dependencies. This defines the EU’s Global Gateway investment programme, which is on track to mobilise €400 billion by 2027 globally, to build sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet. In Bangladesh, this starting point shapes our intent to deepen our ties through a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which will deliver mutual benefits for both Bangladesh and the EU.
We recognise the strong contribution of Bangladesh in helping uphold global peace and security – a core pillar of the multilateral system – and strengthening the capacity of the UN through long-standing participation in the UN peacekeeping operations. As we have recently tragically seen, this support can come at a high cost – with lives lost in defence of global peace and cooperation. Our respect is enduring.
Multilateralism is not a luxury. It is the only viable path to security, sustainability and shared prosperity. The only way to avoid a world where might makes right and international relations are governed exclusively by short-term transactional interests. When our core values, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, are under assault we must stand fast, together.
As Bangladesh pursues its transition, which the EU has steadfastly supported, and prepares for elections, we ask this country, and all our partners, to join us in speaking up vocally – and acting decisively – in favour of multilateralism, international law and human dignity.
