United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus left Dhaka for New York early Monday to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A commercial flight of the Emirates, carrying the Chief Adviser along with his small entourage, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 1:40am, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. The Bangladesh delegation is scheduled to reach at John F Kennedy International Airport at 2:25pm (NY Time) on Monday. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, first senior joint member secretary of National Citizen Party Dr Tasnim Jara and NCP leader Akhter Hossen are accompanying the Chief Adviser as part of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNGA at the invitation of the Chief Adviser. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman will join the delegation from the USA, a political source told UNB. Prof Yunus is set to hold a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA. At the General Debate (Sept 23-27 & 29), the annual meeting of heads of state and government in the beginning of the General Assembly session, world leaders will make statements outlining their positions and priorities in the context of complex and interconnected global challenges, officials said. On September 30, the UN will, for the first time, host a high-level conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. The Chief Adviser, who is scheduled to reach New York on September 22, will return home on October 2. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Thursday said inclusion of the political leaders in Bangladesh’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year is a welcome step, as it provides an opportunity to showcase the national unity before the world, regardless of political differences. “It also offers our leaders a chance to bridge gaps and build understanding while spending time together,” he said. By including the political leaders in the official Bangladesh delegation, the Chief Adviser has once again demonstrated his wisdom and statesmanship, Azad said, adding, “Let us hope this visit proves to be as successful as anticipated.” With an elected government expected to take office in February, this year’s UNGA comes at a critical moment, Azad said. In a world unsettled by multiple conflicts, he thinks, the forum can serve as a valuable platform for Bangladesh’s political leadership to strengthen mutual understanding. “The plenary session on the Rohingya crisis following the UNGA makes the physical presence of our leaders all the more crucial for ensuring policy continuity,” Azad said. Besides, he said, meetings with NRBs and business leaders could provide valuable insights for the country’s governance in the near future.

A pre-election observation team of the European Union (EU) will visit the Election Commission (EC) on Monday afternoon to assess the pre-polls atmosphere ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The seven-member EU team, headed by Riccardo Chellery (senior election expert), will first meet the EC officials at 3pm and then election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah at 4pm at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital, said EC Director (PR) Md Ruhul Amin Mollik on Sunday. Earlier on Thursday, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said an EU delegation is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Election Commission on September 22. It is a pre-election observation team, he said. Ctg, Narsingdi, Naogaon get new DCs ahead of election During the meeting, the visiting EU election expert team is expected to focus on the preparations for the 13th parliamentary election, the country’s overall political environment ahead of the election, and the measures that are being taken to ensure a free and fair election, said EC officials. A four-member team of EC officials, led by the joint secretary at the EC’s legal affairs wing, will be in the meeting with the EU team.

Two more political leaders will join the Bangladesh delegation as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York early Monday to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman will join the delegation from the US while National Citizen Party’s (NCP’s) first senior joint member secretary Dr Tasnim Jara will be part of the delegation from Dhaka, political sources told UNB. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen will also be part of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNGA at the invitation of the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus is set to deliver his official statement and hold a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines. He is going to the United States by a commercial flight. At the General Debate (Sept 23-27 & 29), the annual meeting of heads of state and government in the beginning of the General Assembly session, world leaders will make statements outlining their positions and priorities in the context of complex and interconnected global challenges, officials said. On September 30, the UN will, for the first time, host a high-level conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. The Chief Adviser, who is scheduled to reach New York on September 22, will return home on October 2. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Thursday said inclusion of the political leaders in Bangladesh’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year is a welcome step, as it provides an opportunity to showcase the national unity before the world, regardless of political differences. “It also offers our leaders a chance to bridge gaps and build understanding while spending time together,” he said. By including the political leaders in the official Bangladesh delegation, the Chief Adviser has once again demonstrated his wisdom and statesmanship, Azad said, adding, “Let us hope this visit proves to be as successful as anticipated.” With an elected government expected to take office in February, this year’s UNGA comes at a critical moment, Azad said. In a world unsettled by multiple conflicts, he thinks, the forum can serve as a valuable platform for Bangladesh’s political leadership to strengthen mutual understanding. “The plenary session on the Rohingya crisis following the UNGA makes the physical presence of our leaders all the more crucial for ensuring policy continuity,” Azad said. Besides, he said, meetings with NRBs and business leaders could provide valuable insights for the country’s governance in the near future.  

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey has said BIMSTEC’s efforts to boost trade, investment, connectivity and cooperation on the SDGs help improve security and development in the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the 3rd Indo-Pacific Economic Conclave held on September 18–19 in Kolkata, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey highlighted the growing importance of BIMSTEC for regional cooperation, covering South and South-East Asia. Emphasising progress in maritime, surface and digital connectivity, he also drew attention to other aspects of maritime cooperation under BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). During the event, he engaged in a Fireside Chat with renowned scholar Prabir De, the BIMSTEC headquarters said on Sunday. The Conclave, organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together policymakers, business leaders and experts to discuss economic opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. BIMSTEC joins Asia-Pacific Group on money laundering as 'observer' In the Fireside Chat, the SG underscored achievements in various sectors, including people-to-people relations, business-to-business interactions, and the relevance of BIMSTEC as a platform for regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific. Speakers at the Conclave said the Indo-Pacific region accounts for more than 60 per cent of global GDP, with trade and maritime partnerships playing a crucial role in shaping future economic trajectories. Discussions also covered economic growth, sustainability, clean energy transitions and trade constraints, aiming to provide actionable policy insights. BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It pursues regional cooperation across seven broad sectors: Agriculture & Food Security; Connectivity; Environment & Climate Change; People-to-People Contact; Science, Technology & Innovation; Security; and Trade, Investment & Development. Cooperation also extends to eight sub-sectors: Blue Economy, Mountain Economy, Energy, Disaster Management, Fisheries & Livestock, Poverty Alleviation, Health, and Human Resource Development.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized 23 sacks of documents from the Chattogram home of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s driver during a raid linked to a probe into his suspected overseas assets and money laundering. An ACC team from its Dhaka headquarters launched the operation around 3am on Saturday and continued into early Sunday at the Shikalbaha residence. No one was detained as the occupants had reportedly left beforehand. ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman said the raid followed information obtained during interrogation of two suspects arrested earlier in connection with the case. Saifuzzaman, wife sued for laundering Tk 1,200 crore to Dubai According to the ACC, the seized bags contained property records, business papers and other documents believed to be relevant to the inquiry, though no cash was recovered. Local police, union parishad officials and community representatives were present during the seizure. Meanwhile, the ACC has petitioned a Chattogram court seeking an Interpol red notice against Saifuzzaman and his spouse in a related graft case. Investigators believe the recovered materials may offer fresh clues about wealth and transactions abroad.

The restored Colombo Sahib Tomb and Moorish Gateway at the historic Wari Christian Cemetery in Narinda, Old Dhaka, were inaugurated on Saturday. The ceremony was organised by the Cemetery Board with support from the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (BACSA) and the Commonwealth Heritage Foundation (CHF). Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki attended the event as chief guest, while British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke was present as special guest. Diplomats from the Apostolic Nunciature, i.e. the Vatican or Holy See,  and the Embassy of the Netherlands also joined the programme. Presiding over the ceremony, Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze expressed concern over illegal occupation, unauthorised shops and antisocial activities inside and around the cemetery and urged the authorities to take urgent action, the release noted. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke highlighted the wider significance of the project: “This restoration deepens the historic ties between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Preserving cultural heritage is not merely about safeguarding the past—it is a priceless gift for generations to come.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York early Monday to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is set to deliver his official statement and hold a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines. He is going to the United States by a commercial flight. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen will be part of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNGA at the invitation of the Chief Adviser. At the General Debate (Sept 23-27 & 29), the annual meeting of heads of state and government in the beginning of the General Assembly session, world leaders will make statements outlining their positions and priorities in the context of complex and interconnected global challenges, officials said. On September 30, the UN will, for the first time, host a high-level conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. The Chief Adviser, who is scheduled to reach New York on September 22, will return home on October 2. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Thursday said inclusion of the political leaders in Bangladesh’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year is a welcome step, as it provides an opportunity to showcase the national unity before the world, regardless of political differences. “It also offers our leaders a chance to bridge gaps and build understanding while spending time together,” he said. By including the political leaders in the official Bangladesh delegation, the Chief Adviser has once again demonstrated his wisdom and statesmanship, Azad said, adding, “Let us hope this visit proves to be as successful as anticipated.” With an elected government expected to take office in February, this year’s UNGA comes at a critical moment, Azad said. Having political leaders in UNGA team shows national unity before world: DPS Azad In a world unsettled by multiple conflicts, he thinks, the forum can serve as a valuable platform for Bangladesh’s political leadership to strengthen mutual understanding. “The plenary session on the Rohingya crisis following the UNGA makes the physical presence of our leaders all the more crucial for ensuring policy continuity,” Azad said. Besides, he said, meetings with NRBs and business leaders could provide valuable insights for the country’s governance in the near future.  

An International Conference on Business and Technology (ICBT) 2025 began on Saturday at UAP campus. University of Asia Pacific (UAP), the Faculty of Business Studies of Dhaka University and Germany’s OTH Amberg-Weiden jointly organised the conference. The two-day conference themed “Business-Technology Nexus for Achieving Sustainable Development”, will conclude on Sunday at Dhaka University, according to a press release. Around 250 participants from different countries are attending the event where over 100 research papers will be presented. Discussions will focus on how integration of business and technology can address economic, environmental, and social challenges. The programme also features 10 keynote speeches by distinguished international scholars, alongside interactive sessions and panel discussions. Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud inaugurated the conference. “Such platforms create opportunities for academics, professionals, and policymakers to exchange ideas that ultimately contribute to the nation’s sustainable development,” he said. Special guests at the opening ceremony included UAP Trustee Board Chairperson Architect Mahbuba Hoque, UAP Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Ahsan, and DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed. Architect Mahbuba Hoque highlighted UAP’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement. Prof Dr Kamrul Ahsan said the conference reflects UAP’s vision of promoting higher education and research, while Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed stressed the importance of inter-university collaboration. The conference is being co-chaired by Prof Dr M.A. Baki Khalili (UAP), Dr Christiane Hellbach (OTH Amberg-Weiden), and Prof Dr Mahmud Osman Imam (DU). Amended Public Procurement Act a milestone: Planning adviser The keynote speech was delivered by Prof Dr S.R. Osmani of Ulster University, UK, who shared insights on the integration of business, technology, and sustainable development. At the end of the inaugural session, guests were presented with crests, while UAP Business Administration Department Head Sarwar Razzak Chowdhury delivered the vote of thanks.

The United States (US) has said the interim government moved to make all procurements for natural resource extraction fully open and transparent, suspending all previous or ongoing direct negotiations led by the prior government. In its Congressionally-mandated 2025 Fiscal Transparency Report released on September 19, the US came up with a number of steps that Bangladesh could take to improve fiscal transparency. The government specified in law or regulation, and appeared to follow in practice, the criteria and procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licenses and provided limited information on public procurement contracts. Due to the change in government, the report in its Bangladesh chapter said, the government’s supreme audit institution did not review the government’s accounts, but it released some summarized findings made publicly available within a reasonable period. BNP leader alleges global plot behind push for PR system The supreme audit institution did not meet international standards of independence, according to the report received from the US Department of State. Steps Bangladesh could take to improve fiscal transparency include: Making its end-of-year report publicly available within a reasonable period; Preparing budget documents according to internationally accepted principles; Breaking down expenditures to support executive offices in the budget; Providing in the budget a substantially complete picture of the government’s revenues and expenditures; Ensuring the supreme audit institution meets international standards of independence and has sufficient resources to obtain timely and direct access to the entire annual executed budget; Publishing timely audit reports that contain substantive findings, recommendations, and narratives; Making basic information for natural resource extraction awards publicly available; and publishing information on public procurement contracts. During the review period, a non-political interim government replaced the government previously responsible for budget creation. Fair elections must; results should be respected by all: Mounir Satouri The Interim government generally followed the budget recommendations and implementation procedures of the prior government and initiated significant reforms to improve fiscal transparency. The prior government made its executive budget proposal and enacted budget publicly available, including online. It did not make its end-of-year report publicly available within a reasonable period. Information in the budget was considered generally reliable, although budget documents were not prepared according to internationally accepted principles, said the US report. Information on debt obligations was publicly available. Budget documents provided a reasonably complete picture of the government’s planned expenditures and revenue, including natural resource revenues. However, according to the report, the government did not break down expenditures to support executive offices, nor did the budget provide a substantially complete picture of revenues and expenditures. Publicly available budget documents included financial allocations to and earnings from state-owned enterprises. Fiscal transparency is a critical element of effective public financial management, helps build market confidence, underpins global economic stability, and levels the playing field for US firms, said the Spokesperson at the US Department of State.  It fosters greater government accountability by providing a window into government budgets and spending.  Annual reviews of the fiscal transparency also help ensure appropriate use of U.S. taxpayer funds. In this year’s report, Department officials found that 71 of 140 governments and entities assessed met the minimum fiscal transparency requirements.  Sixty-nine did not meet the minimum fiscal transparency requirements.  Of these, however, 26 made significant progress toward meeting the minimum fiscal transparency requirements. Consistent with the requirement in the FY 2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, as continued by the FY25 Continuing Resolution, the 2025 report described the minimum fiscal transparency requirements, reviewed governments, most of which were identified as recipients of US assistance in the 2014 Fiscal Transparency Report, and further assesses those that did not meet the minimum fiscal transparency requirements during the review period of January 1 to December 31, 2024.  The report also indicated whether governments that did not meet those requirements made significant progress to publicly disclose national budget documentation, contracts, and licenses during the review period.  The Department of State evaluated the public availability, substantial completeness, and reliability of budget documents, as well as the transparency of processes for awarding government contracts and licenses and public procurement contracts.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus have extended their sincere greetings and heartfelt felicitations to their counterparts in Nepal and the friendly people of Nepal on the joyous occasion of the National Day (Constitution Day) of Nepal. Prof Yunus said Bangladesh and Nepal will continue to collaborate closely across all areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the two peoples. “Bangladesh and Nepal enjoy a close and enduring friendly relations, shaped by shared values and deep historical, linguistic and socio-cultural ties,” he said, extending his warmest greetings and felicitations to the government and the friendly people of Nepal on the occasion of the National Day (Constitution Day) of Nepal. In a message to Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Prof Yunus said their long-standing cordial relations stand on the strong foundations of mutual respect and deep relationships between our peoples.