Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has called for collective global action to tackle the ongoing energy crisis, warning that its impacts will persist beyond any short-term ceasefire and pose long-term risks to economies and multilateral cooperation.

He made the call while addressing the 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) in Mauritius on Friday, according to a message received here today. 

"There might be a ceasefire, but the energy issue is not going to be resolved within two weeks," he said, cautioning that the crisis would have lasting repercussions.

"All of us are in trouble, as the current energy challenges are creating disruptions. That will reverberate through the coming years. Even if the energy situation improves, we still face the larger problem of a decline in multilateralism," he added.

The foreign minister said the erosion of trust and confidence in the global system remains a major concern, stressing the need for countries to strengthen their internal resilience.

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

He noted that some analysts believe the current crisis could surpass the impact of the oil shocks of the 1970s.

"So, if the effects of the current crisis are going to be larger than the shocks of the 1970s, we can imagine the type of risks we are facing," he said.

Dr Khalilur also highlighted growing challenges to multilateralism, pointing to increasing unilateral actions within global frameworks.

"They are no longer helping us effectively in dealing with these issues. So, we face a significant challenge... 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 said it is undergoing a turbulent phase, with severe energy challenges threatening economies and societies.

"In these overwhelming times, our blue waters must unite, sustain, and inspire us far more than before," he added.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, among others, also addressed the conference.

The 9th Indian Ocean Conference, hosted by the India Foundation in association with the Government of Mauritius and India's Ministry of External Affairs, is being held under the theme "Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance."