B Mirror Report:  Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has urged collective global action to address the ongoing energy crisis, warning that its impacts will persist long after any short-term geopolitical developments and could significantly affect global economies and multilateral cooperation.

He made the remarks while speaking at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference 2026 in Mauritius on Friday, according to a message received in Dhaka.

“There might be a ceasefire, but the energy issue is not going to be resolved within two weeks,” he said, warning that the crisis would have long-term repercussions for global stability.

Dr Rahman noted that current energy challenges are causing widespread disruption and could continue to affect the world for years. He also cautioned about a broader decline in multilateral cooperation.

He stressed that weakening trust in global systems remains a major concern and said countries must strengthen their internal resilience to withstand external shocks.

“If we stay strong on our home front, it will be much easier for us to overcome the storms coming from outside,” he added.

The foreign minister said some analysts believe the present energy crisis could be more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s, highlighting the scale of potential risks facing the global economy.

He further observed that multilateral institutions are increasingly struggling to respond effectively to global challenges due to rising unilateral actions among states.

“This is a time for collective action because individual countries will not be able to meet these challenges on their own,” he said.

Referring to the Indian Ocean region, he described it as going through a turbulent period, with energy insecurity posing serious risks to economies and societies. He emphasized the need for regional unity, saying: “Our blue waters must unite, sustain, and inspire us more than ever before.”

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and other dignitaries also addressed the conference.

The 9th Indian Ocean Conference, organized by the India Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius and India’s Ministry of External Affairs, is being held under the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”