Bangladesh
EU member state embassies pay homage to language martyrs
The European Union (EU) Delegation and all EU Member State embassies in Bangladesh on Tuesday paid profound homage to language martyrs ahead of February 21.
"Good wishes to everyone on International Mother Language Day," the EU Embassy in Dhaka said in a message.
They also shared a photo as a sign of their love and respect for Bangla.
The nation is set to pay tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement on Wednesday, marking 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day.
The Language Movement martyrs laid down their lives for the recognition of Bangla as a state language on this day in 1952.
Must do all we can against tobacco and vaping: WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed
In a decisive call to nations within its South-East Asia Region, the World Health Organization (WHO) is emphasizing the urgent need to escalate actions against the consumption of tobacco and the growing trend of e-cigarette use. Despite witnessing a significant drop in tobacco use over the years, the region still holds the dubious distinction of having the highest tobacco consumption rates globally, with vaping numbers also on an alarming upswing.
Saima Wazed, WHO’s Regional Director for South-East Asia, voiced her concerns on Tuesday, stating, “The region still has the highest number of people using tobacco which puts them at risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, respiratory, and heart disease. Urgent measures are also needed to control e-cigarettes, which have not been proven to be effective for smoking cessation. We must do all we can to control tobacco and e-cigarette use to protect health and save lives.”
Read: ATMA recommends hiking prices of tobacco products to tackle fiscal deficit
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, it was revealed that tobacco use in the region has fallen from 68.9% in 2000 to approximately 43.7% in 2022. However, an estimated 411 million individuals still engage in tobacco use according to the latest figures released this year, underscoring a persistent health challenge.
The region accounts for a staggering 280 million smokeless tobacco users, making up nearly 77% of the global figure, and about 11 million adolescent tobacco users aged 13-15 years, representing nearly 30% of the worldwide total. Additionally, the increase in e-cigarette usage, especially among the youth, poses a new threat, with countries like Thailand reporting a sharp rise in vaping among 13 to 15-year-olds from 3.3% in 2015 to 17.6% in 2022.
In response to the growing crisis, nations within the region have taken diverse approaches to tackle the issue. Bangladesh aims for a “Tobacco Free Bangladesh by 2040,” while India has launched its “Tobacco Endgame” initiative. Furthermore, countries like DPR Korea, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste have imposed bans on e-cigarettes, whereas the Maldives treats them as regulated tobacco products.
Read: Tobacco use declines despite industry efforts to jeopardize progress: WHO
Despite these challenges, there have been notable successes in tobacco control across the region. Male tobacco use plummeted from 68.9% in 2000 to 43.7% in 2022, and female use saw an even more dramatic decrease from 33.5% to 9.4% during the same period, marking the sharpest decline among all WHO regions. These achievements put the region, alongside the WHO African Region, on track to meet the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) 2025 target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use.
Countries are employing demand reduction strategies as part of the WHO MPOWER package and other initiatives to combat tobacco. However, with the tobacco industry’s high level of interference, there’s a pressing need for more assertive enforcement of tobacco control laws and policies to ensure the health and safety of over 2 billion people in the region.
Ghana Foreign Minister visits Bangabandhu Memorial Museum
Visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on Monday visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32, Dhaka.
She paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
During her visit to the museum, she was briefed about the heinous crimes that took place on the dark night of August 15, 1975.
The delegation, led by the Foreign Minister, was received by Director General (Africa) A F M Zahid Ul Islam at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday.
The Ghanaian delegates have come to Dhaka for a bilateral visit and will have several meetings during their stay to discuss the issues of common interests, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
PM confers Ekushey Padak to 21 eminent citizens
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday conferred ‘Ekushey Padak 2024’ to 21 eminent personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions in various fields.
She handed over the Ekushey Padak, the country’s second highest civilian award, at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry organised the event on the occasion of ‘Amar Ekushey’ and International Mother Language Day-2024.
Read: 21 named for Ekushey Padak
Among the award recipients, Ashraf Uddin Ahmed (Posthumous) and Freedom fighter Hatem Ali Mia (Posthumous) were honoured with this award for their roles in the Language Movement.
Besides, Jalal Uddin Kha, (Posthumous) Freedom fighter Kalyani Ghosh, Bidit Lal Das (Posthumous), Andrew Kishore (Posthumous) and Subhro Deb, were recognised for their contributions to music while Shibli Mohammad, Dolly Zahur and MA Alamgir for performing dance and acting, respectively.
Popular elocutionist Shimul Mustapha and Rupa Chakraborty were also conferred the Ekushey Padak.
Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash and Kawsar Chowdhury were awarded for their contribution in painting and documentary films related to the Liberation War.
Read: Ekushey Padak-winning dancer, actor Zinnat Barkatullah passes away
Md Ziaul Haque and Rafiq Ahmed were given the award for social services.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Samad, Lutfur Rahman Riton, Minar Mansur and Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah received the award for contributing to language and literature while Jinabodhi Bhikkhu for his contribution in education.
Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain conducted the function and read out the citations of the award recipients in the award-giving ceremony chaired by Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed.
Read more: Ekushey Padak broadened my sociocultural responsibilities as an artist: Kanak Chanpa Chakma
Desperate journey to Europe: 8 Bangladeshis among those who drowned in the Mediterranean
In a somber announcement on Tuesday (February 20, 2024), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) revealed the identities of eight Bangladeshis who met a tragic fate while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The individuals, embarking on an unauthorized voyage from Libya to Europe, drowned in a devastating incident that underscores the perilous journey faced by many seeking a better life abroad.
The victims, identified as Sajal, Nayan Biswas, Mamun Seikh, Kazi Sajeeb, Kaisar, Rifat, Russell, and Imrul Kayes Apon, hailed from the Madaripur and Gopalganj districts of Bangladesh. Specifically, the first five victims originated from various villages within the Rajoir upazila of Madaripur, while the remaining were from Muksudpur upazila in Gopalganj.
Read more: Out of options, Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat despite soaring death toll
The details were shared in a press release distributed by MoFA, which aimed to shed light on the tragic event and its impact on the victims’ communities.
The ill-fated journey began on February 13, when a boat carrying individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and Syria set sail from a Libyan coastal area with hopes of reaching Europe. The group comprised 27 Bangladeshis, 8 Pakistanis, 3 Egyptians, 5 Syrians, and an Egyptian individual who navigated the boat. However, their aspirations were cut short when the vessel capsized off the Tunisian coast in the early hours of February 14.
Rescue operations later recovered the bodies of the eight Bangladeshis and one Pakistani, which were subsequently transferred to local hospitals. The foreign ministry's report further highlighted that among the Bangladeshi victims, seven were traveling without passports, indicating the desperate measures taken by individuals in pursuit of better opportunities.
Read more: Bangladesh wants to boost cooperation with Libya to curb illegal migration
US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter likely to be in Dhaka
US Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Afreen Akhter, is likely to be in Dhaka on Saturday — to take relations with Bangladesh forward.
This is going to be the first visit by any US official after the January 7 national election.
Apart from bilateral issues and other areas of mutual interests, including economic growth and development, the Rohingya issue may also come up for discussion, according to a diplomatic source.
Read: We’re focused on Rohingyas’ sustainable return: Afreen Akhter
Afreen visited Bangladesh before the national election.
She is likely to meet senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At a media briefing on February 14, she said, "We have a tremendous amount of work ongoing developing free media in Bangladesh, working with civil society, working with labor organizers across the spectrum to build up these institutions of democracy that will enable Bangladesh to become more democratic over the longer term."
Afreen visited Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar in October 16-17 last year and met with senior government officials, civil society members, Rohingya refugees, and representatives from humanitarian organizations.
Read: Free, fair, peaceful elections incredibly important: Afreen Akhter
While in Bangladesh, she had "productive" meetings with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and other senior officials from the Government of Bangladesh.
She spent a day in Cox’s Bazar, meeting with Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh government officials, and humanitarian organizations.
In addition, the delegation focused on learning about the lives of the refugees as well as the condition in the camps.
Recently, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has said the current situation in Myanmar does not seem to be getting better and he sees deeper security problems for Bangladesh and beyond.
Read more: US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter in Dhaka
"The situation there doesn't appear to be getting better. What worries me is that the refugee crisis, the security problems creating for Bangladesh, and potentially for India as well could get deeper in the coming days," he said.
WFP lauds Bangladesh for 'massive success' over past 15 years
The Executive Director of United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy H. McCain, has lauded Bangladesh for making massive success in different sectors in the last 15 years.
She pointed out Bangladesh's leading role in women empowerment, reduction of dropout from schools through school feeding programmes, and building resilience in response to climate adversities.
She highly praised the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving shelter to the Rohingyas (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals) who were forced to leave Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing and genocide by the Government of Myanmar.
The Executive Director of WFP made the remarks during the ceremony, which marked the presentation of Letter of Commission by Md. Monirul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy, accrediting him as the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to WFP.
Read: WFP to increase food ration from US$8 to US$10 for all Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar
Ambassador and PR Islam thanked the Executive Director for receiving the Commission and for sharing her understanding of the achievements of Bangladesh in recent years. Referring to WFP's activities in Bangladesh as multi-dimensional, long-standing and highly effective, the Ambassador informed the WFP Chief of the Government's engagements (both financial and operational contributions) in the School Feeding Programme and Rice Fortification Programme of Bangladesh.He appreciated the unprecedented support and role of WFP to deal with the Rohingya issue and requested to persuade the Government of Myanmar through the WFP Executive Board for the safe, assured and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland. The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction on the achievements of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for Bangladesh for the period 2022-2026 and plead for working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure financing from the development partners in the implementation of CSP.
Read: WFP, BBS commemorate long-term strategic MoU to strengthen national statistics in SDG monitoring
The event, held at WFP Headquarter on 19 February, ended with reiteration of commitment by both Bangladesh and WFP to work together closely emphasizing “Saving and Changing Lives Worldwide” in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, particularly with regard to SDG 2.
Md. Jasim Uddin, Counsellor, Md. Al Amin, Alternate Permanent Representative to WFP and Aysha Akter, First Secretary (Political) of Bangladesh Embassy in Rome were present while the Executive Director of WFP was accompanied by senior officials of WFP.
Read more: WFP, Bangladesh join hands to advance inclusive social protection programmes
Russian House holds seminar on 'Russian Language as Native' in commemoration of International Mother Language Day
Dhaka's Russian House organized a seminar on "Russian Language as Native" in commemoration of International Mother Language Day.
The seminar "Russian Language as Native" was organized under the initiative of the Russian House of Dhaka in cooperation with the Liberation War Affairs Academy Trust.
Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Central Office in Moscow, Pavel A. Shevtsov was the chief guest at the seminar.
In his welcome speech, Pavel Dvoychenkov, the director of Russian House in Dhaka highlighted its activities in the promotion of Russian language education in Bangladesh and the important role in increasing the scholarships provided by the Russian government for Bangladeshi students, as well as various programs of the Russian government for the development of youth in Bangladesh.
Pavel Shevtsov said in his speech that it is proven that Bangladeshis love Russia very much, and he is impressed to hear Russian spoken by Bengalis. He assured that the scholarship of the Russian government for Bangladeshi students will be gradually increased.
In the seminar also spoke Soviet Russian Graduates Sattar Mia, President, Russian Friendship Society with Bangladesh; Yasmeen Sultana, Russian Language Teacher, Russian House in Dhaka; Zaheed Reza Noor, Deputy Editor, Ajker Patrika and Teacher, translator, and writer from Russian literature; Olga Roy, Associate Professor, Department of Nuclear Science & Engineering (NSE), Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST); Freedom Fighter Shahjahan Sardar; and Dr. Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, Chairman of Liberation War Affairs Academy Trust.
They all recalled Russia's friendly relations and humanitarian assistance with deep respect and expressed hope that the Russia-Bangladesh friendship would be stronger.
They also emphasized higher education in Russia and the study of the Russian language in order to truly understand the rich Russian literature.
Freedom fighters from different districts of the country, Russian language students, media representatives of Bangladesh, and other dignitaries were present at the event.
'Red Alert': Canadian University of Bangladesh debuts book on Non-Communicable Diseases
The joint research effort between Canadian University of Bangladesh and University of Manitoba has resulted in the creation of a groundbreaking book titled "Red Alert", that was released on Monday at a city hotel.
The book is focused on non-communicable diseases. It is the first book of its kind written for health-conscious individuals in Bangladesh.
State Minister for Information and Broadcast Professor Mohammad Ali Arafat was present as the chief guest in the unveiling ceremony while Dr. Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat, founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Canadian University of Bangladesh presided over.
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting highlighted the dual advantages outlined in the Red Alert book during his address.
He emphasized its potential for delivering both health benefits and accurate insights into products, such as olive oil alternatives.
Expressing confidence, he envisioned the Red Alert book as a representation of Brand Bangladesh in the future. Furthermore, he extended gratitude to all involved in its publication and assured continued government support for future research endeavors of this nature.
The event highlighted CUB's commitment to pioneering research in the private university sector of Bangladesh. Dr. Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat emphasized CUB's unique milestone with the publication of "Red Alert."
He also mentioned that Canadian University of Bangladesh is expanding its global presence by launching educational programs at its Ontario Campus in Canada later this year, furthering its mission of fostering international education and research collaboration.
Dr. Rita Colwell, a renowned professor at the University of Maryland, USA, Debra Boyce, Senior Trade Commissioner of the Canadian High Commission, and Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Accreditation Council, shared insights during the event.
The editing of "Red Alert" was a collaborative effort led by Professor Dr. Gias U Ahsan, the Vice-Chancellor (Acting) of CUB, along with Dr. C. Emdad Haque of the University of Manitoba, Canada, and Professor M. Anisul Islam of North South University.
Dr. Gias U Ahsan expressed confidence that "Red Alert" would be well-received by health-conscious individuals and become an essential resource.
The publication ceremony was jointly organized by the Canadian University of Bangladesh, University of Manitoba, and CNRS.
The book "Red Alert" will be available at Stall Number 895 of Ekushey Boimela from Tuesday (20th Feb. 2024).It's the Canadian University of Bangladesh stall at the book fair.
Environment Minister meets UAE counterpart to forge environmental cooperation
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, engaged in a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates, Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak on Monday
The meeting, held in Dubai, marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration between the two nations in addressing pressing climate change, environmental and sustainability challenges, according to a press release.
During the discussions, Saber and Al Dahak exchanged insights and strategies aimed at tackling climate change, preserving forests, and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Both parties expressed a strong commitment to implementing sustainable practices and policies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and promote environmental conservation, said the release.
Saber emphasized Bangladesh's dedication to achieving its environmental goals outlined in various international agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He underscored the importance of international partnerships and cooperation in achieving collective environmental objectives.
He said for the implementation of UAE Consensus originating from COP28, Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan and Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan requires international and bilateral cooperation and solidarity, the release also said.
Al Dahak commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s global leadership in climate change and reiterated UAE's commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh and global partners to address climate change challenges effectively.
She highlighted the UAE's initiatives and investments in renewable energy, conservation efforts, and climate resilience strategies, it said.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to enhance cooperation through knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and joint initiatives. Both ministers affirmed their countries' shared responsibility in safeguarding the planet and pledged to work closely together to advance environmental sustainability at regional and global levels.
Earlier in the day, the environment minister held a productive bilateral meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Both agreed to strengthen partnership amongst the two brotherly nations with renewed focus on trade and investment. 2024 is an auspicious year in Bangladesh UAE bilateral relations as it marks 50 years of diplomatic relations.