United News of Bangladesh

Trade activities through Hili land port will remain suspended for eight consecutive days from September 26 due to Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. As a result, no import or export of goods will take place through the port during the period. The decision was conveyed to Bangladesh’s Hili Customs C&F Agents Association by India’s Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association through an official letter. Shahinoor Islam, general secretary of Hili Customs C&F Agents Association, said Indian traders, in consultation with port users, decided to halt goods movement through the port from September 26 to October 3 on the occasion of Durga Puja. Normal operations will resume from October 4, he added. However, cross-border movement of passengers with valid passports and visas will continue through the Hili immigration check-post from 9 am to 6:30 pm every day. Officer-in-Charge of Hili Immigration Check-post Ariful Islam said immigration activities are not affected by festivals or public holidays. Meanwhile, revenue officer of Hili Land Customs Station, MR Zaman Bandhan, said customs activities will continue as usual except during official holidays in Bangladesh. Traders may complete their customs procedures by paying the required duties if they wish, he added.

The Vatican has wished to see a free, fair, just, and transparent election process in Bangladesh, but it does not wish for a certain outcome. “As Bangladesh prepares for elections, the Holy See stands alongside of you to wish a process that is free, fair, just, and transparent,” said Vatican Ambassador to Bangladesh Archbishop Kevin S Randell. He was addressing a ceremony marking the Pope Day at the Vatican Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday evening. The day also coincides the visit of Cardinal George Jacob Koovkad, prefect of the Dicastery of Inter-religious Dialogue, who began his visit on September 6. The delegation led by the Cardinal held series of dialogues including visits to the National Mosque and interacting with the Islamic scholars; a Hindu temple and a Pagoda in Dhaka. Addressing the Pope Day event, Archbishop Randell said that the Holy See does not support any political party, form of government, or person, nor does it wish for a certain outcome. “The half a million Christians, Catholics and Protestants, who are citizens of Bangladesh, will vote their consciences, like all other citizens,” he said. Addressing as chief guest, Education Adviser Prof CR Abrar said the relationship between Bangladesh and the Holy See is grounded in shared values of peace, compassion and mutual respect. “This enduring bond reflects our common commitment to promoting religious harmony, interfaith discourse and human dignity,” he said. This serves as a powerful testament to the rock-solid relationship between Bangladesh and the Holy See, the Adviser said. “Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building bridges of peace, upholding justice and ensuring that no one is left behind regardless of faith, ethnicity or background," he said. “May we continue to work hand in hand to ensure that our common humanity rises above all religious, cultural and social divides, " he added. On inter-religious dialogue, Archbishop Kevin Randell said such dialogue brings hope and aids all in striving for peace and solidarity on earth, for healing and justice – in a world filled with extremism, hatred and war. “We must have the courage to build bridges, to be the Good Samaritan, to reach out to others in need. “We do not need societies filled with fear and hate. No religious ought to promote those values, nor should religion be used to justify violence.” The Vatican ambassador has called for not letting religious speakers or public speakers highjack religions to promote those scandalous values. “No. Reject and dismiss the message of those who attempt that type of public discourse. Religions ought to promote compassion, love and pursuit of the common good in civil societies. By this fruit, you will know them.” Rohingya merit a home and dignity Randell recalled the visit of late Pope Francis, who visited Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017 after the Rohingya influx and prayed for peace in both countries and in a particular way expressed concerns for the Rohingya, for whose plight the Pope had a broken heart. “These displaced persons merit a home and dignity,” he said, lauding the interim government for dealing well the situation as a host to the forgotten victims of a civil war.“But, they need our help.” Ambassador Randell said Pope Leo XIV equally expressed his grave concern and prays that the international community will reach out.

Khandker Masudul Alam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of Belgium on Thursday, presented his Letters of Credence as the Head of Bangladesh Mission to the European Union (EU). He presented his credentials to the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The presentation ceremony was held at the Berlaymont, headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, according to a press release from the Embassy of Bangladesh. Following the ceremony, a reception was hosted in honour of the newly accredited ambassadors.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reinstated acclaimed actress and social activist Jaya Ahsan as its Goodwill Ambassador for Bangladesh, marking her third consecutive term in the role since first being appointed in 2022. She will serve in this voluntary role for the next one year. As Goodwill Ambassador, Jaya will champion the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), raising awareness and mobilising support on issues such as poverty reduction, gender equality, climate action, and inclusive governance. Reflecting on her renewed role, Jaya said, “I feel privileged to continue this journey with UNDP. With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, the urgency has never been greater. This is a shared responsibility, and I am committed to using every platform available to inspire collective action for a better future.” UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Stefan Liller, welcomed her continued engagement, “We are delighted to have Jaya Ahsan return as our Goodwill Ambassador. She is not only a celebrated artist but also a powerful advocate for equity and sustainability. Her voice has helped bring the SDG message closer to citizens, and we look forward to building on this momentum together.” Jaya will continue to support UNDP in amplifying campaigns that empower communities, protect the environment, and promote resilience contributing to Bangladesh’s efforts to deliver on the promise of the SDGs by 2030.

Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday said it remains deeply engaged in protecting and ensuring safety and security of Bangladeshi expatriates and tourists currently travelling  in Nepal. The embassy facilitated the flight of the National Football Team who traveled back to Dhaka on a special flight C-130 operated by the Bangladesh Air Forces. Bangladesh Embassy did all coordination with the Office of the Chief Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Armed Forces Division as well as the Bangladesh Football Federation in  arranging this special flight in a smooth manner. The embassy expressed its sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) authority and the Nepal Army for extending required permission and clearance as well as in ensuring security at very short notice—particularly at this challenging time. The embassy takes delight in being able to facilitate the entire process from the Kathmandu effectively; the flight took off today at 14:40 hrs (local time), carrying our national heroes and accompanying delegates. The embassy said it successfully coordinated with Nepali Civil Aviation Authority to arrange for operating an additional flight today by Biman Airlines to carry the stranded Bangladeshi nationals in Kathmandu to clear the backlog of the 08-10 Sept passengers. The embassy officials have made efforts painstakingly to rescue those who were stranded in various locations in the Kathmandu Valley over the past two days and will continue to do so as needed under the leadership of Ambassador Md Shafiqur Rahman. The embassy extended thanks to Bangladesh community in Nepal for contacting and collaborating with the Embassy to make these gains possible and create a positive brand for Bangladesh. The embassy received some 600 plus phone calls from the stranded as well as expatriate Bangladeshis during the last three days.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday hosted a high-profile reception for member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), seeking support for Bangladesh’s re-election to the IMO Council. The reception brought together envoys and senior diplomats from dozens of embassies, underscoring Bangladesh’s active diplomatic outreach ahead of the upcoming IMO Council election. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization. The Council is made up of 40 Member States, elected by the Assembly for two-year terms. Bangladesh made history in 2023 by winning a seat in the highly competitive Category C of the IMO Council for the first time, securing 128 votes at the London headquarters, said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The IMO Council, composed of 40 member states across three categories (A, B, and C), plays a decisive role in shaping global maritime policy. Category C ensures representation of countries with special maritime interests and broad geographic balance. The IMO, the UN’s only specialized agency regulating international shipping, sets standards on maritime safety, security, seafaring, and pollution control–issues directly affecting global trade and commerce. Speaking at the event, Mohammed Yousuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh, highlighted the country’s expanding maritime transport sector and the growing significance of its ports as critical sea routes for international commerce. Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, Director General of the Department of Shipping, delivered a detailed presentation, while Deputy High Commissioner Preeti Rahman also addressed the gathering.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Thursday stated unequivocally that in today’s unpredictable world, Bangladesh can count on the EU as a steadfast partner. “We are your steadfast partner; in your political transition, whose success we support; in implementing your reform agenda on climate action, energy and other sectors," he said. The Ambassador visited Khulna University and addressed students and members of the institution.  This was the fourth in a series of workshops organised with Bangladesh youths on climate change.  The NGO ‘Youth for NDC’s’ has had the lead in organising these events.    Alluding to COP30, to be held in Brazil in November next, Miller drew attention to the Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs - each country’s pledge to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.   Referring to Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0, he stressed the crucial role the young will have in shaping a sustainable future. Bangladesh and the EU are both strong defenders of the need to stay below 1.5 degrees.  "So let me start by restating just how much we have in common. Bangladesh is among the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, and this region in Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable to floods, cyclones and salination, disrupting lives and livelihoods," said the EU ambassador.   He said, Europe, which was warming twice as fast as the global average, feels climate change acutely.  “Drought, wildfires, heatstroke increasingly affect our citizens.” Noting that the European Union, through its European Green Deal, is driving transition to a net-zero economy by 2050, Miller observed that they have turned away from fossil fuels, embracing decarbonisation and clean technology, decoupling economic growth from emissions growth.  "Our Green Deal is our growth strategy, and we are committed to delivering on its objectives:  our strength lies in our policy predictability, our transparency and our good governance, all of which is a huge selling point for clean-tech investors and companies.”  EU lauds Dhaka’s collaborative efforts in addressing irregular migration Underlining the fact that one fifth of the world’s clean technologies are now being developed in Europe, the ambassador said that EU’s share of global emissions stood at a low 6 per cent.  “In 2023, our greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8 per cent, bringing total reductions to 37 per cent below 1990 levels.”  The ambassador attributed this to the shutting down of coal-fired power plants, investment in energy efficiency and a rise in the use of renewable energy.  Reiterating that the EU is a steady and unwavering partner of Bangladesh, Miller said through the Global Gateway initiative, they are investing Euro 1.3 billion in energy efficiency, renewable energy, grid modernization and regional connectivity. A key part of this is the Euro 350 million loan from the European Investment Bank, EIB and Euro 45 million EU grant to support solar and wind projects.  Stating that Bangladesh is ‘not’ among the world’s largest emitters, Miller added, “I want to stress that an ambitious NDC 3.0 has the potential to do in Bangladesh what I have described for the EU: drive innovation, attract investment, and foster inclusive growth! It can provide stakeholders with clarity and stability, paving the way for much needed capital and expertise to flow.” Calling Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0, a vision for the future, Miller underlined the significance of engaging the dynamism of modern day youth in ensuring a greener tomorrow.  “Your ideas, your energy, and your innovation are vital to crafting an NDC that reflects the needs and aspirations of your generation.”  "Climate change affects you the most, and your voices must shape the solutions," said Miller.  The Vice Chancellor, teachers, high officials of the university were also present at the event. 

Direction Technology (Bangladesh) Co. Limited, a Chinese company, has signed an investment agreement with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to establish a manufacturing plant in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ). The new facility will produce  bluetooth headphones, wired headphones, and data cables. This investment, worth US$3 million, is expected to diversify Bangladesh's export basket beyond its traditional apparel and textile industries and add a new dimension to technology-based manufacturing in the EPZ. The project is expected create employment opportunities for 478 Bangladeshi nationals, said a press release. Workers at CEPZ block road over unpaid wages, Eid bonuses Md. Ashraful Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Li Fanfan, Managing Director of Direction Technology (Bangladesh) Co. Limited signed in the document on behalf of the respective sides in presence of Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Executive Chairman of BEPZA. The company's focus on headphones and data cables underscores Bangladesh's shift toward higher-value, technology-oriented manufacturing, complementing the country's expanding electronics sector. Welcoming the company, the Executive Chairman of BEPZA said that while Bangladesh is known for its apparel industry, BEPZA is equally committed to diversifying its export portfolio. The signing ceremony was attended by other senior officials from BEPZA and representatives from Direction Technology.

Members of the Bangladesh national football team, along with a small group of Bangladeshi nationals stranded in Nepal, returned home on Thursday afternoon by a special aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a total of 55 passengers were on board -- 38 football team members, coaches, team officials and delegates, 16 sports journalists, and one student coordinator. A diplomat at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu told UNB, around 400 Bangladesh nationals, altogether, left Kathmandu on Thursday by two flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the special aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force. On September 3, the Bangladesh national football team departed for Nepal to participate in two 'FIFA Tier 1 International Friendly Matches' against the Nepal national football team. Meanwhile, the car of Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman was vandalized during the recent chaotic situation in Kathmandu. Despite the flag being shown, one of the groups blocked the car and vandalized it although other groups facilitated the movement of the car later seeing Bangladesh’s flag, a diplomat at the embassy told UNB. “The Ambassador was not inside the car at that time. The Deputy Head of Mission was moving with other staff to the hotel to escort them to the airport at that time,” he said, adding that the football team management was hurrying for the flight at that time and they had to respond. Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi family was physically assaulted and looted amid the chaotic situation in Nepal when the protesters vandalised a five-star hotel on Tuesday. The frightened family was kept at the Ambassador's residence on Wednesday.

A delegation of five Human Rights subcommittee Members will visit Bangladesh from September 16 to 18 to discuss the human rights dimension of the relations between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU). Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in February 2026 and of the strengthening of EU-Bangladesh relations, the European Parliament delegation is visiting the country to "learn more about the work" of the interim government in promoting good governance and advancing human rights, including international labour standards, and to discuss the EU-Bangladesh partnership in these areas. The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Mounir Satouri will lead the delegation. Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Urmas Paet and Catarina Vieira are the members of the delegation. Only peace, dialogue can bring stability to a nation: Cardinal Koovakad They will hold meetings with representatives of the interim government, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, labour representatives and representatives of multilateral organisations operating on the ground. Since the violent crackdown on the mass protest movement of 2024 and the subsequent downfall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is undergoing a period of political transition under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka. The interim authorities launched a reform process in autumn 2024, including the country’s electoral system, judiciary and other key institutions. Bangladesh and the EU have furthermore resumed negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Bangladesh is currently under an Everything but Arms (EBA) enhanced engagement  process with the EU, which includes a systematic approach to addressing concerns with regard to fundamental human rights as well as labour rights. Bangladesh hosts over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees who fled to escape persecution following the Myanmar military crackdown against the minority in 2017. The situation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh is dire, with overcrowding, limited resources, and ongoing humanitarian challenges. The delegation will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz, representatives of the Bangladesh