Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh has made an urgent appeal for $2 billion from development partners to address the country’s immediate energy needs and ensure economic stability. The call was made during the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit held on April 15, 2026.
Rahman emphasized the necessity for urgent and collective action to support vulnerable nations, stating, ‘The situation before us demands urgency, solidarity, and decisive action. Immediate support for the most vulnerable countries must be at the top of our collective agenda.’
He highlighted the ongoing global energy crisis as a reminder of shared vulnerabilities and interdependence, urging for a coordinated Asian response to enhance regional energy security and manage supply disruptions.
The Prime Minister outlined several measures Bangladesh has already implemented, including demand-side management, fuel rationing, and the use of a ‘Fuel App’ to control consumption and prevent panic buying.
Rahman warned that the current crisis could have consequences exceeding those of the 1970s oil shock, threatening decades of economic progress in Bangladesh. He called for decisive global action to mitigate the crisis’s impact, particularly on Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Published in SouthAsianDesk, April 15, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
