United News of Bangladesh

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Wednesday said the United Kingdom (UK) remains committed to working with Bangladesh to help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, while strengthening long-term climate resilience. The UK government is providing £355,000 or approximately Tk 5.7 crore in life-saving humanitarian assistance to support more than 55,000 people affected by flooding in Southeast and Northeast Bangladesh. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said the UK stands with the people of Bangladesh affected by these devastating floods. "This humanitarian assistance will help provide vital support to more than 55,000 people across some of the worst affected areas in the southeast and northeast Bangladesh," she said. Managed by Start Network and delivered through national and local NGOs, the UK contribution will provide affected communities with cash assistance, food, and hygiene supplies across six of the worst affected districts: Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Chittagong, Khagrachari and Moulvibazar. This support builds on £245,000 (approximately Tk 3.9 crore) in emergency funding released in May 2026 for communities affected by the earlier flooding in the Sylhet region. It brings the UK government’s total disaster response support in Bangladesh this year to over £600,000 (approximately Tk 9.6 crore, alongside ongoing UK support to strengthen Bangladesh’s climate resilience, said the British High Commission in Dhaka. The UK is also supporting flood-affected communities through its contributions to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). Through DREF, a total of £438,348 (approximately Tk 7.2 crore) is being provided to assist people affected by flooding across 10 of the worst-affected districts in Northeast and Southeast Bangladesh. Additionally, through the UK-Bangladesh hydro-met partnership, the UK has supported the integration of UK Met Office data into national forecasting systems, improving the accuracy and lead time of flood warnings across Bangladesh. BBCCI delegation meets minister Rabiul in London to boost Bangladesh-UK trade ties This has enabled earlier warnings and faster emergency action ahead of recent flash flooding, with plans to expand this work to ensure warnings reach the communities most at risk.

President-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly Dr Khalilur Rahman has reaffirmed his commitment to an open, inclusive and Member State-driven presidency. Dr Khalilur, also Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, received Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia; Lasha Darsalia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; and Zoran Dimitrovski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia, in New York on Wednesday. In separate meetings, they exchanged views on priorities for the 81st session of the General Assembly, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India on Tuesday said there has been no change in its position regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and stressed that any extradition is a legal issue. "Now, on this particular issue, there is no change in our approach to the matter. Any extradition matter is a legal issue, as you very well know, and it will be dealt with accordingly," Spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi during a regular briefing. He made the remarks when a journalist drew his attention to Hasina's recent interview, where she expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh in December this year. Responding to a question on development projects in Bangladesh, the MEA spokesperson said the development cooperation programme that they have with Bangladesh is something that is done through mutual consultations, and that continues to be the case. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday told Parliament that the government wants Hasina to be extradited to Bangladesh under the existing extradition agreement, saying she will be arrested immediately upon her return as she has already been convicted in several cases. Referring to the legal stance, he said Sheikh Hasina will have no opportunity to surrender as she is already a convicted person. "If she returns, she will be arrested immediately, and the verdicts will be executed. If there is any scope for appeal, that will be decided by the court," Salahuddin said.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has called for stronger United Nations support to ensure Bangladesh's smooth and sustainable graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, accelerate SDG implementation and advance the country's reform agenda. During separate meetings at UN Headquarters with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UN-ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja, Dr. Titumir emphasised Bangladesh's request for a three-year extension of the LDC graduation preparatory period to ensure macroeconomic stability, effective implementation of the 'Smooth Transition Strategy' and a sustainable, irreversible graduation. The Adviser said the government's democratic mandate had strengthened its reform agenda, with a focus on institutional reform, accountable governance and people-centred development, said a media release issued on Tuesday. He also highlighted the government's 3R Strategy - Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction for Acceleration - as the roadmap for restoring economic stability and advancing long-term development. Li Junhua reaffirmed UN DESA's support for Bangladesh's development journey, pledged cooperation on the LDC transition process and praised the government's Universal Social  Security Protection System. Alisjahbana reaffirmed UN-ESCAP's support for Bangladesh's LDC transition, regional connectivity and climate resilience, while Wignaraja reiterated UNDP's commitment to supporting democratic governance, institutional reforms and Bangladesh's sustainable development priorities.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Tuesday said they have a strategic perspective and want this region to be a zone of free passage, peace, and cooperation, a pillar of stability while counting on Bangladesh to work together with them towards these goals. "We want to develop our ties in all sectors, and we are ready to build a long-term partnership with Bangladesh, a country with a rapidly growing economy, strong companies, an efficient workforce, and the potential to be a pillar of stability in the region," he said. Speaking at a reception marking the Bastille Day, the French envoy said they, as reliable partners, naturally expect to benefit from a level playing field in order to continue and develop their relationship with Bangladesh based on genuine reciprocity. "We expect Bangladesh to also demonstrate its interest in partnering in a concrete way," he said, stressing that they can achieve many positive things together. The Ambassador said both France and the European Union are attentive to the initiatives that the Bangladeshi government wishes to pursue. "We need to work a lot." Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood spoke at the reception as the chief guest hosted by the French Embassy in Dhaka. France is a full-fledged country in the Indo-Pacific region. There are over 1.5 million French citizens living on a permanent basis in the Indo-Pacific region, in places like the island of Réunion, New Caledonia and French Polynesia. "In a way, we are neighbours and we want to engage more," he said. One of the main challenges is to better promote France in Bangladesh, and vice versa, going beyond the clichés like the Eiffel Tower or the French Riviera, said the Ambassador. "You already know about our passion for football, whether it's the French national team or Paris Saint-Germain, and some of our heroes like Mbappé or Zidane. But there's so much more to discover," said the French envoy. France is a leader in the fight against climate change, while Bangladesh is a country particularly vulnerable to this challenge, he said. As the initiator of the COP21 conference in 2015, France is at the forefront of the fight against global warming, the consequences of which are particularly evident in Bangladesh, said the envoy. "That is why President Emmanuel Macron has made the fight against climate change in Bangladesh a priority of our bilateral cooperation," he said. As a result, he said, the French Development Agency is devoting, every year, more than 80% of its projects in Bangladesh to climate mitigation and resilience and to the biodiversity conservation. France is also a leader in ocean protection, as demonstrated by the Nice Summit in 2025, which, among other things, facilitated the ratification and implementation of the ocean protection treaty. "Bangladesh was one of the first countries to ratify this treaty, well before the Nice Summit and recently our President has personally congratulated the Bangladeshi new Prime minister about the role of Bangladesh in this achievement," said the Ambassador. He said France is embracing the new technological revolution, the revolution of innovation and France has become a major, and perhaps the leading, European hub for artificial intelligence. "We recently hosted the Vivatec innovation fair in Paris, which showcases the latest technologies," said the Ambassador. France is also a country committed to peace and multilateralism. In this regard, and we strive to promote solutions that are both intelligent and beneficial for all, especially during these times of great international turmoil. For example, he said, France has put forward proposals during the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which was triggered a few weeks ago by the attack launched on Iran. "We have also recognised the State of Palestine. We are also actively involved in building a coalition of the willing to support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty against the brutal and unjustified aggression by Russia, which has been waging a colonial war for over four years, resulting in hundreds of victims every day," the Ambassador said. As in 1971, when France supported Bangladesh, he said they are now defending Ukraine, international law, and, in particular, the right of peoples to self-determination against aggressors who seek to impose their will. The Ambassador said they want to do more with Bangladesh on the international stage and they see a renewed interest. "We want to work together more as reliable partners. A good example is that France and the European Union have been supporting Bangladesh for 25 years by establishing a system that has favored its exports and has allowed the Bangladeshi readymade garment industry to develop with remarkable results," he said. The Ambassador remembered the day when offices of two pillars of press – Prothom Alo and the Daily Star – were set on fire. "But they persevered and they continue their mission of providing quality information – I would like to commend their leaders and teams here," he said, noting that France supports and promotes worldwide the freedom of expression and the freedom of press, which are two cornerstones of democracy. The Ambassador said their partnership is long-standing one, transcending governments and focusing on the bonds between our two peoples. France was one of the first countries in the world to recognise Bangladesh just after its independence. This year, they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the death of André Malraux, a remarkable figure, a great Frenchman, a renowned writer, a courageous member of the Resistance, and a close friend of Bangladesh who, even before the creation of this country, advocated for its cause. "You will see a display here to learn more about this unique personality. He was, for example, the first Minister of Culture in the world. It was indeed in France, in 1958, that, for the first time, a Ministry of Culture was created," said the Ambassador.. The two countries have strong cultural ties; French artists come to Bangladesh for residence programmes, and Bangladeshi artists do the same in France. "We have two excellent Alliances Françaises in Dhaka and Chittagong (I would like to acknowledge their directors and teams here), which teach French to an increasing number of students each year and also promote cultural exchanges," he said. In another field, the French Development Agency (AFD) has been present since 2012 and has already lent nearly 2 billion euros to Bangladesh. It is particularly active in the areas of combating climate change and building resilience, but also in the fields of poverty reduction and women's empowerment. "We are also present through our companies, whether they operate in the fashion industry, the aerospace sector, civil aviation, or the water and infrastructure sector, and we would like to have even more of a presence. We are working on that," he said.

Expecting a great game of football between Argentina and England, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Tuesday said football has an "amazing ability" to bring people together, and that is something they see clearly in Bangladesh. "Both teams are really strong and have legendary players. England has stars like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, while Argentina has Lionel Messi. With so much talent on the pitch, I know it will be a great game of football," she told UNB in an interview ahead of England-Argentina semi-final. The pair will resume one of international football's most storied rivalries at the Atlanta Stadium, as England bid to defeat the defending champions and reach their first World Cup final since 1966. The High Commissioner said the passion for the game here is incredible. "Whether it's people watching matches with friends and family, supporting their favourite teams, or celebrating the sport together, football creates connections that go beyond borders," she said. "That's one of the reasons football can play such a positive role in strengthening the friendship and cultural ties between the UK and Bangladesh," the British envoy said. Responding to a question, the High Commissioner said it is fantastic that England will be competing in the World Cup semi-final this year. "I know many people in Bangladesh will be supporting Argentina, but judging by all the England flags I have spotted around Dhaka, there are plenty of England fans here too. It's going to be a brilliant match," she said. Sarah Cooke thanked the Bangladeshis who support England. "Thank you so much for cheering on England in this crucial match. Your support is really appreciated." The High Commissioner said she knows the team takes a huge amount from the encouragement they receive from supporters around the world, and it is wonderful to see so many fans in Bangladesh backing England. Responding to a question, Sarah Cooke said, "I don't want to jinx the result on Thursday, but I am sure there will be lots of celebrations should England reach the final on Sunday. We all hope that football is coming home this year!"

Stephen Rodriques has joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh as its new Resident Representative, succeeding Stefan Liller. “I look forward to working with the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as our development partners, to build on existing achievements and advance solutions that are inclusive, sustainable and responsive to the needs of communities," he said in a statement on Tuesday. In his new role, Rodriques will lead UNDP’s work in Bangladesh and oversee its support to national development priorities. He will work closely with the Government of Bangladesh, development partners, civil society, the private sector and communities to advance inclusive development, strengthen resilience and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. “It is a privilege to join UNDP Bangladesh and contribute to the country’s development journey,” said Stephen Rodriques. A Jamaican national, Stephen brings more than three decades of experience in international development and public-sector leadership. He previously served as UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan, Liberia, Rwanda, and Deputy Country Director in Indonesia, said the UNDP. He has also held several other leadership positions within UNDP. Before joining the United Nations, Rodriques served in senior positions in the Government of Jamaica, contributing to public administration and national development.    

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has said the Commonwealth Games are something truly special and they bring together a diverse family of nations - connected by shared values of fairness, respect, and opportunity. “As this fantastic group of athletes from Bangladesh departs for Glasgow in a few days, I wish them the very best," she said. The British High Commission in Dhaka organised a send-off reception, hosted by High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, to celebrate the Bangladeshi athletes who are set to participate in the Commonwealth Games 2026, taking place in Glasgow, Scotland later this month. The United Kingdom is proud to once again host the Commonwealth Games, this time in the vibrant city of Glasgow in 2026, said the High Commission on Tuesday. This marks the UK’s third time hosting the Games since 2014, reaffirming their commitment to the Commonwealth and to the power of sport to unite, inspire, and drive positive change.  

Presenting five-pronged priority agendas for urgent action, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir on Monday said the challenges faced by LDCs are a test of international solidarity and the credibility of multilateralism. "The LDC Group stands ready to work with all partners to ensure that the mid-term review becomes a turning point, one that restores momentum, rebuilds trust, and delivers on the promise of sustainable development leaving no one behind," he said. Prof Titumir was speaking at the general debate of the high-level segment of the ECOSOC on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the General Assembly Hall in New York. The Group reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action, which together constitute the guiding framework for advancing sustainable, resilient development and smooth graduation in LDCs. "As we enter the final stretch to 2030, progress towards the SDGs remains alarmingly off track. For the LDCs, the situation is even more critical," said Prof Titumir, noting that vulnerabilities, agravated climate change, rising debt burdens, constrained fiscal space, declining ODA, widening digital divides and limited access to affordable finance continue to impede their development efforts. He said these challenges not only undermine implementation of the 2030 Agenda but also put at risk the achievement of the DPoA, including its goal of enabling additional LDCs to achieve sustainable and irreversible graduation by 2031. Currently, 14 LDCs are at different stages of the graduation process and continue to require sustained international support. Due to unprecedented political, macroeconomic, environmental and external shocks, Bangladesh and Nepal have requested a three-year extension of their preparatory period until November 2029. For graduating LDCs navigating complex domestic and global challenges, the additional time is a strategic necessity to advance macroeconomic stability, implement Smooth Transition Strategy (STS), and strengthen critical reforms, Prof Titumir said. In this context, he said, the effective implementation of the DPoA is essential to addressing the structural constraints facing LDCs and strengthening resilience, productive capacity and long-term sustainable development. "The DPoA Mid-Term Review, to be held next year in Doha, provides a critical opportunity to strengthen global partnerships and accelerate implementation of agreed commitments," said the Adviser. He said the Group urges participation at the level of Heads of State and Government, Ministers, and Leaders of international financial institutions and development partners to ensure that the Mid-term Review produces transformational and implementable outcomes. Five-pronged Priority Agendas for Urgent Action First, Prof Titumir said, adequate, predictable and affordable concessional financing must be significantly scaled up to address mounting debt vulnerabilities, alongside greater investment in education, health, productive capacities, resilient infrastructure, creating jobs, eradicating poverty, increasing social security and essential services. Second, he said, the international financial architecture must be reformed to better reflect the structural vulnerabilities of LDCs through expanded access to concessional resources, debt suspensions, sustainable debt solutions and more equitable financing arrangements. Third, Prof Titumir said, climate finance must be accessible, predictable and commensurate with vulnerability. "Support for adaptation, resilience-building, energy transition, and the Loss and Damage Fund should remain additional, adequate and readily accessible. Enhanced international cooperation is also essential to strengthen energy security through investment in clean energy and resilient infrastructure," he said. Fourth, the Adviser said, the international community should preserve and expand market access for LDCs by reversing protectionist trends and ensuring transparent, simplified and development-friendly rules of origin. Fifth, he said, stronger international cooperation is needed to bridge digital and technological divides through enhanced technology transfer, capacity-building and digital transformation, enabling LDCs to harness innovation and accelerate sustainable development.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Nepal on Monday hosted a Nepali mango business delegation led by Ammar Baniya, president of Nepal's Mango Importers Association, to explore opportunities for importing Bangladeshi mangoes. The delegation, which also included two leading members of the association, was introduced to several premium off-season mango varieties from Bangladesh, including Bari-4, Banana mango, Amrapali and Khirshapat. During the meeting, the Nepali business representatives expressed keen interest in exploring the possibility of importing Bangladeshi mangoes during the late season, particularly in July and August. They also showed interest in visiting Bangladesh to further advance the initiative. The delegation praised the taste and quality of Bangladeshi mangoes and thanked the embassy for taking the initiative to promote mango trade in Nepal.