United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s newly appointed Permanent Representative to the UN Office and other international organisations in Geneva, M Riaz Hamidullah, has said he will seek to highlight Bangladesh’s perspectives on advancing multilateralism and promoting shared interests in a fractured world. He said areas such as women, water, climate change and culture offer opportunities for countries to find common ground where the values and interests of the vast majority converge. “Beginning a new innings in Geneva, Switzerland. I look forward to contributing my modest bit and flagging Bangladesh perspectives to advance multilateralism in a fractured world,” Ambassador Riaz said in a message posted on social media. He also highlighted the need for the international community to work towards a successor development architecture beyond 2030 to address challenges and harness opportunities for people across different regions. Before taking up his new assignment in Geneva, Riaz served as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, assuming the charge on April 7, 2025. Ambassador Riaz presented his credentials to Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva Tatiana Valovaya on October 27. Tatiana Valovaya, 13th Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva and the first woman to occupy the position, welcomed his appointment. “It was a pleasure to receive the credentials of Riaz Hamidullah, newly appointed Permanent Representative of Bangladesh. I look forward to working together to advance shared priorities and strengthen multilateral cooperation,” she said. Riaz joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1995 and has spent a considerable part of his career in multilateral economic diplomacy. He first served at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 1999 to 2003, followed by an assignment as a mid-career political officer at the Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi from 2003 to 2005. From 2005 to 2011, he worked on South Asian regional cooperation, including a three-and-a-half-year stint as a director at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. There, he dealt with regional agriculture and rural development, transport connectivity, the SAARC Development Fund and the development of regional projects. He also contributed to the development and reorganisation of SAARC institutions and processes. In 2012, he served as Director-General in charge of Europe and EU Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2013 to 2016, as Director-General for Multilateral Economic Affairs, he covered sustainable development, climate change, migration, development finance, multilateral trade, connectivity, water and the blue economy. He also led Bangladesh’s engagement in various multilateral processes, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. During this period, he served as the lead interlocutor and negotiator on the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact concerning the readymade garment and textile industry with the United States and the European Union, as well as on issues related to responsible business conduct. Riaz served as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka from August 2016 to July 2020 and later as Ambassador to the Netherlands from July 2020 to August 2024. After returning to headquarters, he served as Additional Foreign Secretary for Multilateral and Regional Affairs from August to December 2024, followed by an assignment as Secretary (West) from January to March 2025. He subsequently assumed office as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India on April 7, 2025.

Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), will visit Bangladesh from November 3 to 5 to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. He is scheduled to meet President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during his stay in Dhaka, a senior government official told UNB. Liu will also speak at a seminar on November 4 in Dhaka. The seminar, titled “Where History Illuminates the Future: China-Bangladesh ‘Political Parties Plus’ Roundtable & Inauguration Ceremony of Bangladesh-China Centre for Party and State Governance Studies”, will be hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka at a venue in the capital. Liu was appointed head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee last year. Born in April 1963, Liu is currently a member of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He joined the Chinese Foreign Ministry in 1985 and is a seasoned diplomat. He previously served as assistant foreign minister and director-general of the Department of European Affairs. Before taking up his current post, Liu served as executive vice-director of the General Office of the National Security Commission of the CPC Central Committee. Founded in 1951, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee is responsible for managing the Communist Party's external relations.

Reflecting on the changing nature of diplomacy, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen has underscored the importance of keeping diplomatic engagement “at the speed of relevance”—responsive to emerging challenges, attentive to evolving national priorities, and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes. The Foreign Service Academy hosted Ambassador Christensen for an interactive session with the trainee officers of the 32nd Specialized Diplomatic Training Course (SDTC) and the 4th Professional Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy (PMIRD). The discussion offered valuable insights into the priorities guiding U.S. engagement with Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of commercial diplomacy, trade facilitation, energy and defence cooperation, humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya, and cooperation in the health sector.  

German Vice Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Dr Bärbel Kofler has stressed the need for closer cooperation with Bangladesh and European partners to address global challenges, including climate change, rising prices, energy security and economic reforms. “We are here to stay,” the visiting vice minister said, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and long-term partnership with Bangladesh. She expressed appreciation for the partnership with Bangladesh and said Germany would continue to work with the country to address shared challenges. Dr. Kofler joined the celebration of German Reunification Day at the Franco-German Embassy in Dhaka, commemorating the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, following decades of division during the Cold War. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo spoke as the chief guest at the reception hosted by Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Rüdiger Lotz and Ivana Lotz. The event brought together senior government leaders, civil society representatives, members of the diplomatic community, and prominent cultural and media figures both from Bangladesh and Germany. The vice minister said global challenges could be overcome only through unity, solidarity and cooperation among countries sharing common goals. She said Germany wants to work with Bangladesh and its European partners not only to recognise the challenges facing the country but also to find practical ways to address them. Referring to Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, the vice minister congratulated the country and stressed the importance of reforms in the economic, financial, social and environmental sectors. She said discussions on a possible free trade agreement with the European Union would require sustained engagement and reforms to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic foundations. The vice minister acknowledged that rising prices were putting pressure on households and businesses in Bangladesh and beyond, noting that Germany is also facing similar challenges. She said climate change, rapid technological transformation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are creating new challenges, while countries also needed to generate decent employment opportunities for young people and provide them with better prospects. The visiting official highlighted the 55-year partnership between Germany and Bangladesh, saying German development cooperation had worked closely with the country across different sectors of society, including government, the private sector and civil society. She said the two countries had achieved significant progress through their cooperation, despite an increasingly challenging global political and economic environment. Referring to climate change, she highlighted joint efforts on climate adaptation and energy issues, stressing the importance of international cooperation in helping countries manage climate-related risks. The vice minister also emphasised the need for a sustainable development path that balances environmental protection, economic growth and social progress. She said energy security has become increasingly important amid global conflicts and disruptions to supply chains, citing the impacts of the wars on energy supplies, prices and food security. The vice minister said closer cooperation among Bangladesh, Germany and European partners could help advance a more sustainable and resilient future. The vice minister, who is visiting Bangladesh for the third time, said she had met representatives of civil society and trade unions on the first day of her visit, engaged with business leaders the following day, and held meetings with government officials, ministers and political representatives. She said the engagements had given her an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Bangladesh, its people and their aspirations for the future. The vice minister said German Unity Day represented peaceful engagement, solidarity and the overcoming of divisions, values that remained important for international cooperation. As Bangladesh stands on the threshold of a crucial economic transformation, Germany is looking to reaffirm its long-standing partnership with the country through high-level talks on development cooperation. As Bangladesh takes its next steps onto the global economic stage, Dr. Kofler’s visit underscored Germany’s continued commitment to standing alongside the country as a strategic partner in sustainable progress. The discussions in Dhaka looked beyond traditional aid frameworks to focus on long-term resilience, economic adaptability and sustainable growth. The three-day official visit marked an important moment in bilateral relations, with government-to-government (G2G) negotiations aimed at shaping the future of Bangladesh-German development cooperation. The visit came at a significant juncture as Bangladesh navigates economic transformation and prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Germany has long been one of Bangladesh’s most steadfast development partners. Yet, as Bangladesh moves beyond the safety net of LDC status, the nature of international cooperation must also evolve, Germany said.

The 10th Bangladesh–United States Land Forces Talks (LFT)–2026 concluded on Tuesday at Dhaka Cantonment, with both sides discussing key areas of mutual interest and ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation. The two-day talks, held on October 26-27, brought together military representatives from the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Earlier, head of the US delegation Major General Giles J. S. Cornelia, Deputy Commanding General for Strategy and Plans, United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) paid a courtesy call on with the Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, at Army Headquarters on Monday. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Brigadier General Syed Ashiqur Rahman, Director of Military Training Directorate, Bangladesh Army.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasised Bangladesh’s national interests in strengthening ties with Japan, prioritising development projects and investment that can create jobs, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Tuesday. Briefing reporters at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo after the Prime Minister’s bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Kobir said the talks focused on boosting trade, investment and economic cooperation and advancing strategic projects. He said Japan’s private sector plans to invest around US$6.34 billion in Bangladesh over the next five years, potentially creating employment opportunities for about 200,000 people. The state minister said Tarique stressed the need for giving priority to investment in industries capable of generating jobs, as the government seeks to turn growing international interest in Bangladesh into concrete investment. He said the two countries also discussed expediting the implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was signed in February 2026. The Prime Minister sought Japan’s support to ensure a smooth and sustainable graduation of Bangladesh from the least developed country (LDC) category, Kobir said. Bangladesh sought an additional three years to prepare for LDC graduation, citing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, long-standing economic challenges and the recent global energy crisis, he said. The state minister said Bangladesh urged Japan to give serious consideration to the request. He said the two sides also discussed establishing a ministerial-level joint mechanism to accelerate bilateral cooperation, identify priority sectors, set specific timelines and regularly review progress. Kobir said Japan showed interest in projects involving investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, the development of a technology-based industrial city and infrastructure, including elevated expressways. He also referred to Japanese development assistance worth 50 billion yen, equivalent to around $340 million. Describing the visit as important for creating new investment opportunities and strengthening economic ties, the state minister said international partners are showing renewed interest in Bangladesh following the formation of its new democratically elected government. He said one of the main objectives of the visit is to translate that interest into actual investment. The Prime Minister’s visits to Japanese energy infrastructure and logistics facilities also offered opportunities to learn from Japan’s experience, particularly in LNG terminal development and modern logistics management, Kobir added. Replying to a question about employment opportunities for Bangladeshi students and workers in Japan, he said the two countries are discussing Japanese-language training and the development of skilled manpower, with a process already at the implementation stage. On the Rohingya crisis, the state minister said Bangladesh plans to raise the issue prominently in multilateral diplomatic forums next year and hopes for a positive role from Japan. He described the Prime Minister’s visit as fruitful, saying the constructive discussions between the two leaders opened up new possibilities for Bangladesh’s development, industrialisation and job creation. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin were also present at the briefing.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam met D. Francisco Herrero León, president of the Seville Chamber of Commerce in Spain, to explore opportunities for strengthening trade, investment and business cooperation between Bangladesh and Spain. The discussions focused on diversifying bilateral trade, promoting Spanish investment in Bangladesh and exploring cooperation in promising sectors, including textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, leather, information technology, agriculture and renewable energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release on Tuesday. The state minister highlighted the potential for collaboration in jute products and promotion of creative economy and cultural heritage. The President of the Seville Chamber of Commerce expressed interest in organising Bangladesh centric seminar inviting Bangladesh and Spanish business communities at least once in a year and subsequent co-hosting of exposition on Bangladesh in Seville.  

The nationals from Bangladesh and 28 other countries were recruited into the Russian armed forces through deception or coercion, according to a report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine submitted to the United Nations General Assembly at its 81st session. The Commission found compelling evidence that Russian authorities, in nexus with agents or agencies operating in different countries or geographic regions, have trafficked persons from 29 countries, using deception or coercion, to recruit them in the Russian armed forces. The report was shared on Monday night, a week after it had been submitted to the United Nations. The 29 countries are Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Botswana, Cameroun, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. Since 2024, there have been clear patterns of recruitment of foreign nationals from particular countries and geographic regions to serve in the Russian armed forces, says the commission after investigating the recruitment of nationals from a total of 48 countries. After accepting the job offer, the men were pressured to travel quickly, usually in the space of a few days. The recruiting agents processed visas and plane tickets, booked accommodation, and arranged other logistical details. Travel documentation was organized in various ways depending on the particular countries or regions, as agents adjusted to local requirements. Some of the recruits had to process business visas, others received short-term tourist visas, while others needed no visa at all, according to the report. “For instance, the Commission received copies of business visas given to Bangladeshi recruits, with mention that they had been invited by a civilian company in the Russian Federation,” says the report. Kenyan recruits received tourist visas for durations ranging from two weeks to four months, despite travelling for work. Recruits from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Peru were instructed by the recruiting agency to travel without a visa, with paperwork presenting the trip as a tourist tour in Türkiye or in the Russian Federation, as per the report. However, after arriving in Russia, many were forced to sign contracts written in Russian with the Russian Ministry of Defence. Their phones and passports were often confiscated, and they discovered that they would be serving in the Russian armed forces rather than undertaking the civilian jobs they had been promised, according to the report. The recruited men were subsequently deployed on frontlines in Ukraine and assigned dangerous tasks. Many have been killed or have gone missing, it says. The departure, disappearance, injury, death, or capture of the victims has a long-lasting psychological impact on their families, who have carried out intense search efforts to find their loved ones, says the report. The report, however, does not specify how many Bangladeshi nationals were recruited, killed, injured or reported missing. The report also does not establish that every foreign national serving in the Russian armed forces was trafficked.  

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday pledged strong support for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s nation-building efforts, saying Japan will work closely with Bangladesh to strengthen their strategic partnership and promote shared prosperity. In a post on her official X account after their bilateral summit in Tokyo, Takaichi said she was pleased to personally congratulate Tarique on taking office, describing Bangladesh as a friend that shares the values of democracy and the rule of law. “Japan will strongly support the nation-building efforts of the Rahman administration, which came to power following a democratic general election,” she said. Takaichi said the two countries discussed bilateral cooperation in light of their shared values and Bangladesh’s importance to the realisation of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). She said they agreed to advance the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), a key framework for bilateral cooperation, into a new strategic initiative called “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity.” The Japanese Prime Minister said Tarique recalled Japan’s role as a peace-loving nation and its early recognition of Bangladesh’s independence. She said her Bangladeshi counterpart also described Japan as a country that holds a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people and expressed gratitude for the wide-ranging support and cooperation from the Japanese government and people. Highlighting Bangladesh’s economic potential, Takaichi said the country is important to Japan’s economy because of its strategic position connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia and its large, young market of 170 million people. Referring to the joint statement issued after their summit, she said the two countries will work together through government and private-sector initiatives under their strategic partnership. “Together, we will grow stronger and more prosperous,” Takaichi said, pledging to work closely with Tarique to promote peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders held their summit at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Tuesday, the second day of Tarique’s four-day official visit to Japan.

In light of the rapidly changing global situation, a more prevalent supply chain risk, rapid technological innovation and mounting social issues, Bangladesh and Japan will upgrade BIG-B into “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity” as an initiative of “strategic cooperation” in the exclusive partnership between the two countries. This is aimed at enhancing the resilience and preserving each country’s freedom of decision, said the Japanese government.  Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Japan signed a number of Memoranda of Cooperation and other documents between the two countries, said the Japanese side. The two countries signed five cooperation documents covering economic relations and the business environment, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, and environmental protection. These include a memorandum of cooperation between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division; separate memoranda between Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; a memorandum of cooperation on the environment between Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and a letter of intent between Japan’s Global Environment Bureau and Bangladesh’s Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity” BIG-B (the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt) is an economic development initiative with three pillars: (1) economic infrastructure development, (2) improvement of investment environment, (3) strengthening connectivity. It has served as the flagship initiative of Japan-Bangladesh cooperation, and has long supported Bangladesh’s economic growth. The “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity” positions Bangladesh as a hub to promote common prosperity and to contribute to mutual growth, said the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Japan and Bangladesh have agreed to strengthen cooperation in connectivity, energy security, disaster resilience, trade, investment and defence to promote economic growth and regional peace and stability. Under the proposed cooperation framework, the two countries will promote integrated economic infrastructure development centred on Matarbari Deep-Sea Port, including power and energy facilities, airports, roads, railways, inland waterways and special economic zones, to strengthen supply chains and develop Bangladesh into a logistics and industrial hub. They will also work to improve the investment climate, develop human resources, expand public-private partnerships and establish transparent and predictable rules to attract investment. Both sides will seek to expand trade and investment under the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), improve market access and promote industrial upgrading and export diversification. The cooperation will also focus on building resilient supply chains in manufacturing, logistics, food and agriculture, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and other sectors. To strengthen energy security, the two countries will promote initiatives under Japan's “POWERR Asia” framework for a stable and economically viable energy supply and explore opportunities for energy infrastructure development in the Matarbari region. They will also enhance cooperation to address natural disasters and climate change, including strengthening emergency response capabilities and developing sustainable disaster-prevention infrastructure. In the security sector, Japan will support Bangladesh's capacity-building efforts and promote bilateral security and defence cooperation, with a focus on maritime security, maritime domain awareness, coastal patrols and port security. The framework includes providing patrol boats to Bangladesh under Japan's first Official Security Assistance (OSA) project, exploring a second OSA project and providing patrol vessels through official development assistance (ODA) to strengthen coastal security capabilities. Both countries will also work to improve their ability to respond to emerging technological challenges, including cybersecurity, as part of broader efforts to enhance resilience against geopolitical uncertainties and promote peace and stability. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations under the two countries’ Strategic Partnership, with a focus on regional peace, prosperity and stability. At a summit meeting in Japan, Takaichi congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office as prime minister and described Bangladesh as a friend that shares the values of democracy. Amid growing international instability, she said Japan strongly supports Bangladesh’s ability to make its own decisions freely and strengthen its resilience under Japan’s updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) vision. Takaichi also expressed her intention to work with Tarique Rahman to promote peace and prosperity in the region. In response, Tarique Rahman said Japan, as a peace-loving nation, was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh’s independence and holds a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people. He said the two countries had built longstanding friendly relations and expressed his commitment to working with Takaichi to take bilateral ties to new heights. The two leaders held the summit meeting on October 27 from 11:45am for around 25 minutes, followed by a joint press event and luncheon, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.