United News of Bangladesh

French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Thursday underlined the importance of ensuring a fair and level playing field to encourage greater engagement by European companies in Bangladesh's aviation sector. The Ambassador emphasised the commitment of European aerospace leader Airbus to supporting the growth of Bangladesh's aviation industry. The issues were discussed when he met Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Rumee A. Hossain to discuss opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the civil aviation sector. The Ambassador said enhanced cooperation with Airbus would strengthen Biman Bangladesh Airlines' fleet capacity, contribute to the development of the country's aviation ecosystem, and reflect Bangladesh's commitment to building a long-term partnership with the European Union. He recalled the strong and longstanding partnership between France and Bangladesh and explored ways to deepen collaboration in the aviation sector. He highlighted France's continued commitment to supporting the development and modernization of Bangladesh's aviation sector, citing the successful cooperation between Thales and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).  

Bangladesh and Tajikistan have discussed possible cooperation in the mineral resources including benefiting from Tajikistan’s vast reserves and expertise in gold, aluminum, zinc, copper, lead, and silver. On bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the countries, both sides agreed to encourage more private sector interactions and exchanges of business delegations to realize the potential. The two countries vowed to strengthen bilateral relations during the first-ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Dhaka on July 8. The two sides signed a MoU on Foreign Office Consultation to institutionalize the regular consultation mechanism before the meeting. Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh and Idibek Kalandar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan led their respective delegations during the meeting. Both sides attached high priority to recalibrating and expanding the relations between Bangladesh and Tajikistan. They stressed further deepening the political cohesion and proposed organizing reciprocal visits of Foreign Ministers. They discussed exploring the formation of a Bangladesh-Tajikistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to enhance regular interaction among the parliamentarians. Bangladesh highlighted the Tajik delegation on Bangladesh's global leadership in key manufacturing sectors, including Ready-Made Garments (RMG), jute and jute products, and pharmaceutical industry. It invited Tajik investors to explore the investment friendly climate in Special Economic Zones in Bangladesh and proposed the formation of a Joint Working Group (JWC) on Trade and Economic Cooperation, signing a MoU between the apex chambers of the two countries and invited an exploratory mission of the Tajik private sector. The two countries also discussed more people to people bridge including cooperation in education and sports, exchanges of students, youths, tourists, and cultural troupes and employment opportunities for highly skilled and semi-skilled professional workforce from Bangladesh to Tajikistan. The delegations also discussed and agreed to conclude at the earliest a few other bilateral instruments regarding cooperation in areas such as trade and economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders, tourism promotion, avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investments, and cooperation in the fields of industries. Both Bangladesh and Tajikistan agreed to deepen regional and global coordination and to reaffirm the close coordination and mutual support across international platforms, including the UN and the OIC. Bangladesh expressed gratitude to Tajikistan for its support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the Presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  They also exchanged views on critical regional and global developments, recognizing the strategic positions connecting South and Central Asia as a unique opportunity to promote stability and inter-regional connectivity. The delegations noted that the inaugural consultation has laid a solid foundation for the future engagements in different areas of cooperation between the two brotherly countries. They decided to hold the second round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dushanbe at a mutually convenient schedule. On the sideline of the consultation, the two countries also signed a MoU on the collaboration between the diplomatic training institutes of the two countries.  The Rector of the Foreign Service Academy, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, and the Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister signed the MoU.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has sought Tajikistan’s support for Bangladesh’s aspiration to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), whose members include Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Idibek Kalandar, who met the State Minister at her office at the Ministry on Wednesday, responded positively and expressed Tajikistan’s support for Bangladesh’s SCO membership. The State Minister said safe, dignified, and voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homeland remains imperative and sought Tajikistan’s support on the issue at international forums, including the UN. She described the Rohingya crisis as a collective responsibility that requires a coordinated international response. Terming Bangladesh an advocate of peace and stability, the State Minister highlighted the country’s extraordinary contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. She said that, with a view to expanding its diplomatic outreach and geopolitical connectivity, Bangladesh has been focusing on broader engagement with potential but untapped regions, including Eastern Europe and the CIS countries. The State Minister also emphasised strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Tajikistan. Referring to the two countries’ shared cultural values and historical ties, she underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in trade, commerce, economic relations, and investment, while promoting economic diplomacy as a foreign policy priority of the present government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. She also stressed the need for deeper engagement in soft power diplomacy, including education, culture, sports, tourism, technology, expertise and knowledge sharing, skill and vocational training, women’s empowerment, and women and youth entrepreneurship. During the meeting, the State Minister emphasised greater youth engagement, people-to-people contacts, business-to-business collaboration, and government-to-government cooperation through institutional frameworks, mechanisms, and mutual understanding.

Consul General of Bangladesh in Miami of the United States Seheli Sabrin had a courtesy meeting with Vice Mayor of the City of Doral in South Florida Digna Cabral on Wednesday. Both discussed mutual collaboration and cooperation in economic development, culture, education, business, trade and investment opportunities. The consul general highlighted the significant role of Bangladeshi diaspora in economic, education, and political arena of Florida and thanked local government for their support. Vice Mayor Digna Cabral assured Seheli Sabrin of working together to strengthen bilateral relationship as well as to promote Bangladeshi cultural heritage.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka jointly celebrated the shared passion for football on Wednesday. On the occasion, Pakistani High Commissioner in Dhaka Imran Haider handed over 1,000 Made-in-Pakistan footballs to BFF President Tabith Awal. In speech, the high commissioner highlighted that Sialkot of Pakistan enjoys worldwide recognition for manufacturing premium quality sports goods, including footballs, and has the distinction of producing the official match balls for the FIFA World Cups in 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. He noted that Pakistan’s football manufacturing industry is globally renowned for its quality, craftsmanship, and innovation, making it a proud symbol of the country’s industrial excellence, according to the Pakistan High Commission.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called for stronger international cooperation to address emerging global security challenges, saying rapid technological advances and transnational criminal networks require a fundamental shift in traditional policing. "The security challenges facing the world are becoming increasingly complex. Rapid technological development and the transnational networks of criminal groups demand a radical transformation of the traditional policing system," he said while addressing the opening session of the two-day United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Salahuddin outlines steps to increase welfare benefits for police The minister is leading a five-member Bangladesh delegation to the summit, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday. Police chiefs and policymakers from UN member states are taking part in three plenary sessions during the two-day event, starting on Tuesday. The sessions focus on "Vision for the Future of UN Police," "Innovations and New Technologies in UN Policing," and "Enhancing International Cooperation to Address Transnational Challenges." Highlighting Bangladesh's role as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, Salahuddin said the country has modernised its Formed Police Unit (FPU) to respond to future challenges. "Our police force has incorporated SWAT, Bomb Disposal Units, cyber and organised crime investigation specialists, forensic experts, immigration police and intelligence-led policing, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities," he said. The minister proposed establishing a UN Police Knowledge and Innovation Network to facilitate the systematic exchange of expertise and skills among member states. He said the initiative will enable countries to share best practices and technical knowledge. Salahuddin also proposed holding an Annual Environment Policing Conference to strengthen international cooperation and preparedness in addressing security challenges arising from climate change. He urged the international community to build an adaptable, innovative and accountable UN police force in the interest of global peace and humanity. According to the ministry, Bangladesh's proposals and its commitment to global peace were widely appreciated by participants at the summit. The conference was attended by ministerial-level representatives of UN member states, as well as the UN Under-Secretaries-General for Peace Operations (DPO), Operational Support (DOS), and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA).

Terming the current bilateral trade volume very modest, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday emphasised enhanced private sector interactions and increased exchanges of business delegations to realise the untapped potential with Tajikistan. He also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Tajikistan. Middle East: Dhaka says peace essential for prosperity, development Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Idibek Kalandar called on the foreign minister at his office on the sidelines of the first-ever Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between the two countries and discussed issues of mutual interest. They discussed the possibility of opening resident diplomatic missions in the respective capitals, operating direct flights, easing visa processes, increasing people-to-people contacts, showcasing respective trade baskets, facilitating bilateral trade and investment, and ensuring effective mobility of goods, labour and services. They attached importance to the Joint Working Group (JWC) on trade and economic cooperation and effective engagements between the apex chambers and business organisations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the two countries discussed issues of mutual interest to expand cooperation. The visiting deputy foreign minister of Tajikistan emphasised institutional frameworks such as memorandum of understanding or agreements for wider bilateral cooperation and both of them viewed for early conclusion of bilateral instruments of cooperation in areas such as trade and economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders, tourism promotion, avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investments, and cooperation in the fields of industries. The foreign minister welcomed the proposal for the formation of a Bangladesh-Tajikistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to enhance regular interaction among the parliamentarians. He expressed gratitude to Tajikistan for its support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the Presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Both Bangladesh and Tajikistan agreed to deepen regional and global coordination and to reaffirm mutual support across international platforms, including the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). They exchanged views on important regional and global developments and discussed the promotion of wider inter-regional connectivity, recognising the unique strategic position of South and Central Asia. The Tajik deputy foreign minister responded positively to Bangladesh’s aspiration for membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has conveyed his warm appreciation to all the artistes and underlined the cultural bond that connected the people of the two neighbouring countries – Bangladesh and India. He attended a Sufi dance ensemble “Dilnawaz” by Shadhona in the capital, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday. Bangladesh, India can emerge strongest democracy, world power together: Dinesh Trivedi

The government of Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have extended their partnership agreement to provide an additional Swedish krona 3 million to support Bangladesh’s ongoing justice reform efforts. The additional contribution will support advancing reforms aimed at making justice services more effective, accountable and people-centered, UNDP said on Wednesday. Bangladesh seeks stronger UN support for peacekeeper, police deployments The partnership reflects Sweden and UNDP’s continued commitment to strengthening institutions that serve citizens and uphold the rule of law. Through this support, the project will contribute to improving the capacity and responsiveness of the judiciary and the reform-readiness of Bangladesh’s Attorney General’s Office. “Sweden remains committed to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen inclusive, accountable and rights-based justice institutions,” said Nicolas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden in Bangladesh. “This additional contribution reflects our shared commitment to reforms that can improve public trust and access to services.” “Justice services are essential to public confidence, social cohesion and sustainable development,” said the outgoing Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, Stefan Liller. “We value Sweden’s continued partnership in supporting a judiciary that is more responsive to the needs of people.” The amendment follows the original agreement signed between Sweden and UNDP on 11 December 2024.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday said consistent with its path of peaceful development, China's defence policy is likewise defined by a distinct commitment to peace. “China has consistently pursued an independent foreign policy of peace. Hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence find no place in Chinese dictionary,” he said while delivering a lecture at the National Defence College of Bangladesh. Ambassador Yao said China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all sectors of Bangladesh, including the military, to help Bangladesh achieve better development. He said China is committed to working with the international community, including Bangladesh, to champion an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, strive toward building a community with a shared future for mankind. Commandant of NDC Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman, together with more than 100 officers of Bangladeshi Armed Forces and representatives of foreign militaries were present at the lecture.