United News of Bangladesh

Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister of Nepal Biraj Bhakta Shrestha on Thursday recalled the historic commencement of power flow in 2024 from Nepal to Bangladesh and expressed confidence that energy collaboration would continue to expand in the near future. In his video message, he also called for greater collective efforts to build a robust and long-term energy partnership. Bangladesh seeks early conclusion of PTA with Nepal to boost economic cooperation The Minister made the remarks while speaking at a programme in the evening to mark the commencement of the new season of power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh. Speaking on the occasion, senior BNP leader and Member of Parliament of Bangladesh Abdul Moyeen Khan expressed his satisfaction over the resumption of power flow this year. He said Bangladesh looks forward to expanding cooperation with Nepal in the energy sector. He also expressed hope that energy partnership initiatives would continue to grow, paving the way for a coordinated regional energy strategy and unhindered power cooperation in the future. Additional Secretary of the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh, KM Ali Reza, said the occasion symbolised the growing partnership between Nepal and Bangladesh and demonstrated the immense potential of regional cooperation in the energy sector. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to working closely with Nepal and other regional partners to advance this shared vision. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari highlighted the multifaceted relationship between Nepal and Bangladesh. He noted that the commencement of power flow represents not only an economic opportunity but also a shared commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for the two countries. Referring to Bangladesh’s growing energy demand and Nepal’s hydropower potential, the Ambassador emphasised that the enhanced energy partnership is both natural and mutually beneficial. The programme, organised by the Embassy, was aimed at highlighting the significance of cross-border electricity trade and deliberating on the growing potential of energy cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh. The programme brought together key stakeholders from the energy and power sectors of Bangladesh, including politicians, senior government officials, prominent business leaders, media representatives and friends of the Embassy.

Bangladesh has called for deeper cooperation with UN Women to advance women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Bangladesh made the call during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Under-Secretary-General & Executive Director UN Women Sima Bahous in New York on Friday. Bangladesh urges stronger global action on humanitarian law, Rohingya repatriation The State Minister recalled former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s visionary introduction of free education for girls and highlighted the government’s continued efforts to empower women through free education up to the postgraduate level and enhanced reproductive and mental health support. USG Bahous highly commended Bangladesh’s efforts in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality, according to Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations. She congratulated Bangladesh on the election as President of the 81st Session of the UNGA and expressed UN Women’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh on women’s empowerment and the WPS agenda. She also praised the significant contributions of Bangladeshi women to peacebuilding and United Nations peacekeeping operations. On the Rohingya crisis, the State Minister expressed concern over funding shortfalls affecting Rohingya women and girls, and reiterated that the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution to the crisis.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for stronger international action to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law and ensure sustained global support for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. She made the call while speaking at a high-level panel discussion of the 2026 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Thursday, according to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN. The state minister stressed the need for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, greater investment in conflict prevention and stronger coordination among humanitarian, peace and development actors. She also highlighted the critical role of women in peacebuilding and humanitarian operations and expressed concern over the growing impact of digital harassment, disinformation and cyber abuse targeting women and girls. Shama Obaed reiterated her call for a global platform to address technology-enabled violence. She also expressed concern over funding cuts affecting Rohingya women and girls and reiterated that the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution to the crisis. On the sidelines of the event, the state minister also met Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Dr Nguyen Minh Vu and discussed issues of mutual interest.  

Welcoming newly appointed representatives of PPD, WFP and IOM, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday underscored Bangladesh’s interest in deepening cooperation with their organizations across shared development and humanitarian priorities, and wished them success in their assignments. Three newly appointed heads - Professor Joseph Akinkugbe Adelegan, Executive Director of the Partners in Population and Development (PPD) Secretariat; Coco H. Ushiyama, Country Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) Bangladesh; and Dr. Laura Nicole Tomm-Bonde, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh, presented their credentials to the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All three newly appointed representatives congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur on his election as president of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.  They expressed their appreciation for Bangladesh’s long-standing partnership with their respective organizations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh in advancing shared priorities. During the meeting with Prof Adelegan, the Foreign Minister appreciated the important role of PPD in promoting reproductive health, family planning, maternal and child health, and expressed confidence that PPD would further strengthen its contribution to sustainable development and population-related initiatives. In his meeting with Ushiyama, the Foreign Minister commended WFP’s long-standing partnership with Bangladesh in the areas of food security, nutrition, school feeding, and humanitarian assistance.  He appreciated WFP’s continued support for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals and the affected host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and underscored the importance of sustained international support for the Rohingya response. With Dr. Tomm-Bonde, the discussion focused on how Bangladesh and IOM could work more closely to strengthen public education and market-relevant skills for prospective migrants, improve data systems throughout the migration cycle, expand safe and regular pathways, and prevent irregular migration through awareness campaigns.  The Foreign Minister appreciated IOM’s contribution to implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, the humanitarian response for the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, and assistance to Bangladeshi nationals stranded in crisis-affected countries.  Dr. Tomm-Bonde thanked the Foreign Minister for the warm reception, praised Bangladesh’s leadership in advancing safe, orderly and regular migration.

Bangladesh and Argentina have expressed keen interest in deepening cultural cooperation through literature, music, sports diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. The keenness came when Argentine Ambassador in Dhaka Marcelo Carlos Cesa met Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury at the Secretariate on Thursday. During the courtesy call, both sides highlighted the long-standing cultural bond between the two nations, recalling the historic relationship between Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and renowned Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo. The Argentine envoy said while Tagore remains widely known in Argentina, there is growing interest in discovering contemporary and classical Bangladeshi writers. He urged initiatives to translate more Bangladeshi literary works into Spanish and encouraged Bangladesh's active participation in the upcoming Buenos Aires International Book Fair. The ambassador also highly praised the spiritual Lalon songs of Bangladesh and suggested translating Lalon Geeti into Spanish to present them to the global audience. The minister said the government is fully committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation based on mutual equality, respect, and the core principle of “Bangladesh First.” He also called for swiftly finalising an agreement on cultural cooperation proposed by Bangladesh to blend Bangladesh’s Baul traditions with Argentina's Tango and Chamamé. To permanently institutionalise bilateral friendship, formal proposals were placed on behalf of Bangladesh to name a road after Bangladesh in Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Furthermore, recognising the climate compatibility between the two nations, a proposal was also extended on behalf of Bangladesh to relocate and plant native Bangladeshi flora and trees in Argentina. To foster deeper people-to-people connections, the ambassador announced that four prominent Argentine social media influencers and vloggers will visit Bangladesh during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. This vlogging team will create extensive content showcasing the profound passion of Bangladeshi fans for Argentine football, which will be broadcasted widely in Argentina, paving the way for advanced sports and cultural diplomacy. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, who was also present at the meeting, proposed organising a joint “Cultural Evening” featuring leading performing artists from both Bangladesh and Argentina.

Newly appointed Chief of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh Dr Laura Tomm Bonde on Thursday reaffirmed IOM’s readiness to support Bangladesh in enhancing regular migration pathways and advancing whole-of-government and regional approaches to climate mobility. Presenting her credentials to Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, she talked about climate-induced displacement and disaster risks stemming from Bangladesh’s exposure to climate shocks such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and salinity intrusion. “I sincerely welcome Dr Laura Tomm Bonde to Bangladesh as the Chief of Mission and look forward to continuing the strong partnership between the Government of Bangladesh and IOM,” said the Foreign Minister. Dr Bonde assumes her role at a pivotal time, as Bangladesh navigates diverse migration dynamics from expanding opportunities for safe and regular labour migration to hosting over one million Rohingyas who fled violence in Myanmar, one of the largest protracted displacement situations globally. A Canadian citizen, Dr Bonde previously served as IOM Chief of Mission in Mozambique for six and a half years, said the UN agency. “The overall migration landscape in Bangladesh is highly dynamic and presents both opportunities and challenges,” said Dr Bonde. “I look forward to working closely with the Government to ensure that the migrants’ rights are protected and that migration contributes meaningfully to sustainable development through well governed and inclusive migration systems,” she added. The new IOM Chief of Mission reaffirmed the Organization’s continued commitment to supporting the Government of Bangladesh across the full migration cycle, including strengthening safe and regular labour migration, enhancing health and pre-departure services, reinforcing border governance, and supporting protection and reintegration for vulnerable migrants. She underscored IOM’s continued prioritization of the Rohingya response, delivering life-saving assistance and supporting affected host communities in Cox’s Bazar.  

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday underscored the importance of expediting the conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to unlock the full potential of economic cooperation between the two friendly countries. The ambassador held a bilateral meeting with Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of Nepal Krishna Bahadur Raut at the latter’s office in Kathmandu. During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including the pending PTA between Bangladesh and Nepal, existing trade barriers and challenges, and opportunities to explore new avenues for bilateral trade and investment. Early conclusion of the PTA will provide a meaningful impetus to deepen commercial ties and create mutually beneficial opportunities for businesses in both countries, a senior official told UNB. Both sides noted that despite the long-standing friendship, close geographical proximity, and excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Nepal, the volume of bilateral trade remains below its potential, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Nepal. The two sides agreed on the need for enhanced collaboration to facilitate trade, promote investment, improve connectivity, and encourage greater engagement between the business communities of both countries. They expressed optimism that sustained efforts and closer cooperation would contribute to a significant expansion of Bangladesh-Nepal economic relations in the coming years.

Bangladesh and Azerbaijan on Thursday discussed opening of resident diplomatic missions in respective countries as the two friendly countries eye strengthening bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman had a telephonic discussion with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov in the afternoon and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Azerbaijan Foreign Minister warmly congratulated the Bangladesh Foreign Minister for being elected as the President of the 81st Session of the UNGA, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting they resolved to further strengthen different aspects of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. Bangladesh Foreign Minister invited the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.  

Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Thursday said the European Union (EU) is committed to supporting Rohingyas and the communities hosting them in Bangladesh. "As needs remain protracted, we need to transform the response," he said as the European Union (EU) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced a renewal of their partnership with a futher EUR 14 million development grant. The grant will help sustain lifesaving assistance and strengthen protection for the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and support the livelihoods of the host community. UNHCR works alongside the Government of Bangladesh, humanitarian partners and donors to strengthen refugee protection as part of the 2025–2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. The Plan calls for USD 710 million this year to meet the most critical needs of 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, including new arrivals, and to ensure they can live in dignity until they can return home voluntarily, in safety and with full rights, said the UN Refugee Agency. The new funding, which complements EU humanitarian funding and an earlier multi-year development policy contribution from the EU, will provide Rohingya refugees and nearly 70,000 members of the Bangladeshi host community with essential support to enhance resilience and self-reliance, including skills development initiatives and access to clean cooking gas. With a focus on space for more education, skills development and to generate income, the European Union will help Bangladeshi host communities in Cox’s Bazar and, for the Rohingya, will expand options for education, lead to the learning of practical, portable skills and improve living conditions, said Ambassador Miller. "This is about preserving dignity, strengthening resilience and giving refugees the tools to rebuild their lives – preparing them for voluntary, safe and dignified return to Myanmar when conditions allow," he said. “Reliable, steadfast support is fundamental to the well-being of families who have experienced immense hardship for the past nine years,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. “We are grateful to the European Union for standing with the Rohingya in Bangladesh, ensuring that refugees can access vital protection services, meet their basic needs, and maintain hope for a safer and more dignified future.” Overcrowded living conditions, limited resources, and prolonged displacement leave refugees highly vulnerable. Comprehensive protection services within the camps, including safe shelters, welllit camp environments, effective community based protection mechanisms, and accessible reporting channels, are critical to safeguarding refugees’ rights and dignity. This is particularly important for women and children, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation, said UNHCR. Provision of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) protects women and children from the risks of foraging for firewood, while also reducing the household smoke that damages refugee health, and eases pressure on the surrounding forests. At the same time, expanding livelihood opportunities and skills development is crucial to reduce dependency on aid and help restore a sense of agency and purpose among refugees. The contribution comes on the eve of World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June, which is an opportunity to honour the resilience and strength of people forced to flee their homes because of violence and persecution, reiterate support for those living in displacement and also recognise the contribution of host communities. The European Union is a key global supporter of humanitarian and development programmes, with a focus on resilience-building and sustainable solutions. Generous international support remains vital to ensuring access to essential services.

Bangladesh has called for strengthened humanitarian assistance, greater protection of civilians and enhanced women’s participation in peacebuilding as global crises continue to deepen. Addressing the 2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to humanitarian principles, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. She also highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to expand social protection, strengthen disaster preparedness, empower women and support vulnerable communities under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. At the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the State Minister underscored the important role played by women in peacebuilding and praised the contributions of Bangladeshi women peacekeepers serving in UN missions. The State Minister expressed concern over the plight of women and children in the conflict situations and called for closing the financial gaps. She also urged for sustained international support for the Rohingya refugees’ repatriation to their own country. The State Minister will also participate in High-Level Panel Discussion 2 of the 2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment and lead the Bangladesh delegation in a bilateral meeting with Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women at United Nations Headquarters in New York.