Foreign-Affairs
Jaya Ahsan starts 2nd tenure as UNDP goodwill ambassador
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reinstated popular actress, producer and social activist Jaya Ahsan as its goodwill ambassador in Bangladesh, effective from Thursday.
Jaya, who was the UNDP's goodwill ambassador for a year in 2022, will now serve in this voluntary role till January 2025.
During the tenure, the acclaimed artist will support the UNDP as the goodwill ambassador to spotlight important issues like sustainable development goals (SDGs) to mobilise support and raise awareness to achieve the goals by 2030.
"I am honoured to be able to continue the good work with the UNDP as its goodwill ambassador and feel extremely privileged to continue in the team for working towards these goals," Jaya said.
"I renew my vow to continue advocating and mobilising action to work on SDGs through online and offline media and all other platforms I have access to."
"With only seven years left to achieve the SDGs, it is high time we realise our shared responsibility in making our planet a better place. What that means is that each of us as citizens of the planet needs to play our part to help achieve the SDGs," she added.
Stefan Liller, the UNDP resident representative in Bangladesh, said: "We are fortunate to have Jaya Ahsan as our Goodwill Ambassador. Jaya is not only a celebrated artist but also a person committed to equitable and sustainable development."
"She has helped amplify our call both in and beyond Bangladesh to join the UNDP's efforts in promoting healthier, more prosperous and inclusive societies, and we look forward to continuing working together."
Jaya will continue working with the UNDP to raise public awareness and galvanise support for different campaigns on poverty, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.
PM likely to attend G20 Summit in New Delhi September
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to attend the 18th G20 Summit which will take place in New Delhi on September 9-10 this year.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to attend the Summit.
India, which holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023, has invited Bangladesh as a “guest country” in its all meetings, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reports at a weekly briefing on Thursday.
Bangladesh sees its series of engagements with the Group of Twenty (G20) under India’s Presidency this year as a “big honour” for the country.
“We will raise our issues there. It is a big honour for us. We should be prudent,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently, noting that Bangladesh is the only South Asian country invited by the host.
The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which plays an “important role” in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.
India has invited Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as guest countries to its meetings and summit, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
Apart from the G20 leaders, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Oman Head of State Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have been invited to the G20 Summit.
Meanwhile, Momen will attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on March 1-2.
Hasina paid a state visit to India from September 5 to 8 last year at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Read more: Being invited to G20 Summit is a big honour for Bangladesh, says Momen
Ahead of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s visits, Vinay Kwatra will be in Dhaka in the third week of February to have bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen, said a diplomatic source.
Kwatra assumed charge as foreign secretary on May 1 last year.
The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States and the European Union.
The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
Dhaka, KL will have talks on transparent, swift manpower recruitment system
Bangladesh expects to have an “elaborate discussion” with Malaysia this week on manpower recruitment in an effort to make the overall recruitment process more transparent and expeditious.
Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is expected to pay a “working visit” to Bangladesh on February 4-5, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reports at a weekly briefing on Thursday.
This is going to be the first minister-level visit from the Southeast Asian country since the formation of a new government there.
The Malaysian Home Minister is likely to have meetings with his Bangladesh counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad during his two-day visit.
“The upcoming visit will hopefully bring momentum in Bangladesh-Malaysia bilateral relations,” said the MoFA spokesperson.
Bangladesh wants to ease the manpower recruitment process in Malaysia with a reduced cost through discussion.
Read more: Manpower export to Malaysia resumes after four-year gap
“The Malaysian home minister is coming with a big team. It will help make things (related to manpower recruitment) more rationalized. We want to send our workers at a reduced cost,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently.
He said Bangladesh wants the manpower “cartel” to be dismantled, the recruitment cost reduced, and the rules of recruitment eased.
Earlier, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md Golam Sarwar met with the Malaysian home affairs minister and discussed various issues of mutual interest.
The high commissioner welcomed the Malaysian minister’s crucial visit to Bangladesh and discussed various aspects of the visit, according to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
As it is his first foreign visit after taking charge as home minister, it is significant for both countries.
They also discussed recruiting more manpower from Bangladesh in a short time at a low cost.
High Commissioner Golam Sarwar requested the home minister of Malaysia to legalise the undocumented Bangladeshis in the Southeast Asian country on easy terms under the recalibration programme.
The Malaysian home minister assured the high commissioner that they would look into the matter, according to the High Commission.
PM likely to attend 5th UN conf on least developed countries in Doha next month
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to participate in the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) to be held in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, on March 5-9.
An inter-ministerial meeting, chaired by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, was held on January 30 regarding the Prime Minister’s participation in the LDC5, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reports at a weekly briefing on Thursday.
The LDC5 is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to accelerate sustainable development in the places where international assistance is needed the most - and to tap the full potential of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) helping them make progress on the road to prosperity.
Dhaka eyes deeper relations with Latin American countries; Argentine FM due Feb 27
Bangladesh sees scopes to work closely with the Latin American countries on multiple fronts including trade and investment; and Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Andrés Cafiero’s impending visit is part of Dhaka’s efforts to diversify and deepen the relations.
“You are aware that a new dimension has recently been added in terms of Bangladesh’s diplomatic relations with the Latin American countries,” spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reports at a weekly briefing on Thursday, hoping that the Argentine Foreign Minister will visit Bangladesh on February 27.
The Argentine Foreign Minister will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and the leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries during his stay in Bangladesh.
The two countries are likely to sign one or more MoUs during the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC).
A formal announcement regarding the opening of Argentina’s Mission in Dhaka is likely to come during the Argentine Foreign Minister’s visit, Sabrin said.
Also Read: World champions Argentina likely to visit Dhaka in next June
She said it is a lengthy process to open a mission in any country and recalled that a fact-finding mission worked back in 2009 to explore opportunities in Latin American countries.
On January 30, Foreign Minister Momen said his Argentine counterpart Santiago Andrés Cafiero will be in Dhaka on a two-day official visit in February – as the two sides want to strengthen ties in the coming days.
“I have invited him. He (Argentine foreign minister) will come. I told him to bring Lionel Messi with him,” Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that it will be a plus for Bangladesh if Argentina opens a mission in Bangladesh.
Asked whether Messi is coming, the MoFA spokesperson said there is no such confirmation yet. “We will let you know if we get any confirmation through the relevant ministry.”
Argentina “in principle agreed” to open its mission or consulate in Dhaka and the government of Bangladesh also has a plan to open a mission in Argentina. Bangladesh has already opened a mission in Brazil.
“We hope we will open a Bangladesh mission in Argentina in future,” Foreign Minister Momen said, adding that Bangladesh considers three things – size of Bangladeshi community there, importance of the host country, and flow of remittance into Bangladesh – before opening any mission abroad.
Momen said Argentina is a good friend of Bangladesh and always remains supportive. “We have a very good relationship with Argentina.”
FM Momen to join Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will join Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo on February 4.
He reached Colombo on Thursday, said an official, adding that he will have a number of meetings apart from joining the Independence Day programmes there.
Sri Lankan State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received Foreign Minister Dr Momen upon his arrival in Colombo.
The main ceremony of the National Independence Day celebrations will be held on February 4 at 8.30 am at Galle Face Green under the patronage of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
Earlier, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given out instructions to celebrate the 75th Independence Day “with pride at minimal cost” and with the new reformist programme for the next 25 years.
Read More: Bangladesh's Nur Khan among winners of US' Global Human Rights Defender Award
The Foreign Minister is likely to meet the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister apart from his meeting with Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry during his stay in Colombo.
Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal will also join the celebrations and is likely to have a meeting with Minister Momen.
As part of the 75th Independence Day celebration, a number of programmes are scheduled to be held from February 2 to 19.
Read More: Bangladesh playing a critical, life-saving role in responding to climate-related disasters: Gwyn Lewis
“We must celebrate the 75th Independence Anniversary; otherwise, the world will say that we are not capable of even celebrating our independence. Similarly, we need to attract tourists and investors to our country. We need to build a positive image of our country. Therefore, let us minimize our expenditure and celebrate our Day of Independence,” Sri Lankan media quoted President Ranil Wickremesinghe as saying.
Read More: Dhaka urges Riyadh to consider crude or refined oil on deferred payment basis.
Bangladesh's Nur Khan among winners of US' Global Human Rights Defender Award
The US Department of State has announced the winners of the annual Global Human Rights Defender Awards, including Bangladesh's Mohammad Nur Khan.
Over the past three decades, Nur led two of Bangladesh's best-known domestic rights organisations and partnered with international organisations to document human rights abuses and promote accountability in Bangladesh, the US said Wednesday.
Protecting and supporting human rights defenders remains a key US foreign policy priority as they are integral to democracy, access to justice, a vibrant civil society, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability, the US Department of State said. "As we celebrate both the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, we are pleased to honour this cohort of Awardees – ten individuals from around the globe who have demonstrated leadership and courage while promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms; countering and exposing human rights abuses by governments and businesses; and rallying action to protect the environment, improve governance, and secure accountability and an end to impunity," it added.
This year's cohort represents defenders with varied backgrounds and far-reaching potential. From working to combat slavery denialism to promoting election and labour rights, all ten honourees embody the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
These awards are determined by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Read more: Human rights are at the center of US foreign policy: US Embassy
US sanctions Myanmar officials, military-affiliated 'cronies' ahead of coup anniversary
The US Tuesday, the day before the two-year anniversary of the military coup d'état that deposed Myanmar's democratically elected government, imposed sanctions on six individuals and three entities linked to the regime's efforts to generate revenue and procure arms.
They include senior leadership of Myanmar's Ministry of Energy, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, Air Force, as well as an arms dealer and a family member of a previously designated business associate of the military.
The US also sanctioned the Union Electoral Commission, which the "regime has deployed to advance its plans for deeply flawed elections that would subvert the will of the people of Myanmar."
"We are taking today's action in conjunction with actions also being taken by the United Kingdom and Canada. To date, we have sanctioned, under Executive Order 14014, 80 individuals and 30 entities to deprive the regime of the means to perpetuate its violence and to promote the democratic aspirations of Myanmar's people," US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said in a media statement.
Two years ago, Myanmar's military regime "usurped power from a democratically elected government – "blatantly rejecting the will of Myanmar's people, setting the country on a disastrous path that has killed and displaced thousands, reversing the hard-fought democratic progress achieved over the last decade, he added.
Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has only grown direr, with reports indicating nearly 3,000 killed, nearly 17,000 detained, and more than 1.5 million displaced.
The regime's ongoing scorched-earth campaign continues to inflict harm and claim the lives of innocent people, fueling a worsening armed conflict within Myanmar and insecurity beyond its borders, the secretary of state said.
Read more: How Myanmar is faring 2 years after army ousted Suu Kyi
"The United States remains firm in our position that the regime's planned elections cannot be free or fair, not while the regime has killed, detained, or forced possible contenders to flee, nor while it continues to inflict brutal violence against its peaceful opponents," he added.
"The United States will continue to support the pro-democracy movement and its efforts to advance peace and multiparty governance in Myanmar. We commend those working to strengthen unity and cohesion among diverse groups who share a vision of a genuine and inclusive democracy in Myanmar," Blinken said.
The United States will also continue to promote accountability for the military's atrocities, including through support to the UN's Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and other international efforts to protect and support vulnerable populations, including Rohingya, he added.
"We welcome the actions taken by our allies and partners to urge the regime to end the crisis. We look forward to building on our cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its members, with the UN following the recent passage of the UN Security Council Resolution on the situation in Myanmar, and with the international community writ-large, as partners seek to uphold the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, intensify diplomatic and economic pressure against the military, and support a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Myanmar," the secretary of state said.
"Bangladesh advances its strategic trajectory towards becoming a major global economy"
The US Chamber of Commerce’s US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC) has announced the appointment of Steven Kobos, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Excelerate Energy, as Chairman of USBBC’s Board of Directors.
Kobos assumes the larger role of Board Chair as "Bangladesh advances its strategic trajectory towards becoming a major global economy," and as the USBBC recognizes 50 years of US-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, said the US Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Nisha Biswal, USBBC President and Senior Vice President for South Asia, International Strategy and Global Initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce said, “We are delighted that Steven will serve as the new Chairman of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Board of Directors."
Steven’s leadership and commitment to strengthening US-Bangladesh economic ties and his belief in the promise and potential of Bangladesh as global economic power make him the ideal leader for the Council, she said.
"As President and CEO of Excelerate Energy, Steven brings unparalleled expertise in energy cooperation, resiliency, infrastructure, and security across the global energy ecosystem. I am confident that under his stewardship the US-Bangladesh Business Council will grow to new heights and continue to advance the US-Bangladesh economic corridor," said Biswal.
“Chairing the US-Bangladesh Business Council Board of Directors is a privilege and responsibility that I am honored to accept,” said Steven Kobos.
“Excelerate Energy is proud to join USBBC member companies that serve as bridges for prosperity and collaboration between the United States and Bangladesh. I look forward to leading the Council’s role in furthering bilateral commercial cooperation, inclusive economic growth, and global security. I wish to thank Nisha Biswal, Ambassador Atul Keshap, and Sid Mehra for their leadership and for this unique opportunity to partner with government and business leaders in both countries," said Kobos.
Steven Kobos currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Excelerate Energy.
He was appointed to this role in 2018 after serving in an integral capacity within the company as a board member and counsel for the previous 11 years.
Kobos is proud to call Excelerate Energy his home and to lead a team that embodies the company’s core values of stewardship, accountability, improvement, and leadership.
Read more: Collaboration with Bangladeshi startups can be 'powerful tool' to grow economic ties: US Chamber
Under his leadership, Excelerate Energy successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2022.
Kobos has served on the Board of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council since its launch and co-chaired the U.S.-Bangladesh Energy Task Force.
Excelerate developed Bangladesh’s first LNG import terminal, Moheshkhali Floating LNG Terminal (MLNG) in 2018.
The company’s two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) in the Bay of Bengal provide approximately 20 percent of Bangladesh’s daily natural gas supply.
In July 2021, Excelerate collaborated with USBBC Board companies Chevron, HSBC, and MetLife and U.S.-based NGO Project C.U.R.E. to airlift critical medical equipment and supplies to aid Bangladesh’s medical colleges in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The US Chamber of Commerce's US-Bangladesh Business Council is a business advocacy platform to advance policy priorities of the U.S. business community in the bilateral trade relationship with Bangladesh.
Read more: US-Bangladesh Business Council to be launched April 6
Bangladesh playing a critical, life-saving role in responding to climate-related disasters: Gwyn Lewis
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis has said the government of Bangladesh is playing a critical, and often life-saving role in responding to climate-related disasters.
"Anticipating climate risks is one way we can better support the government to act promptly and mitigate the impacts of disasters. The ultimate goal is to help affected people so that they can recover and get back to normal as soon as possible,” she said thanking the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for co-organising a meeting to that end.
Strengthening collaboration on disaster risk management for the government-led emergency response was discussed at the first meeting of the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) on Wednesday co-chaired by Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), MD Kamrul Hasan, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis.
The Humanitarian Coordination Task Team meeting was attended by government officials, UN agency focal points, representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international organisations, the Red Cross Movement and the Red Crescent, and diplomatic missions.
Welcoming meeting participants, Gwyn Lewis spoke about the importance of strengthening joint disaster response efforts so that when a flood or a cyclone hits Bangladesh, people that are impacted are supported in the best and quickest way possible.
The Secretary thanked UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis for collaborative efforts to implement the 2019 National Plan for Disaster and the Standing Order on Disaster (SoD) and said that the HCTT and cluster collaboration need to transform considering muti-hazard early warning for all, anticipatory action, internal displacement management, and environmental protection.
“Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In addition, recent rapid urbanisation has increased the risk of earthquakes as well as man-made disasters. The recent fire incident in Sitakunda, Chittagong district and the protracted floods in Sylhet district reminds us of the necessity of efficient response,” he said, noting that protection and gender should be at the centre of the coordination work.
Read more: Gwyn Lewis of Ireland appointed UNRC in Bangladesh
Overall, following the June 2022 floods, the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team and its partners mobilised around 20 million US dollars to respond to the most urgent needs reflected in the Government's Flash Flood Response Plan.
Another key achievement of this humanitarian coordination mechanism in 2022 was the creation of the INFORM Sub-national Risk Index of Bangladesh: an open source for risk assessment at the local level that is used to identify vulnerable populations.
Participants of the event talked about ways to enhance collaboration and strengthen humanitarian preparedness and response to climate-related disasters.
HCTT members agreed to improve the disaster risk information system and to coordinate humanitarian work through effective planning, monitoring and resource mobilisation.
The Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) is a working group and it was set up in 2012 to provide operational-level support coordinating disaster risk management, preparedness, and response efforts of government, national and international organisations in Bangladesh.
Since 2016, the HCTT collectively raised over 103 million USD for nine different response plans in Bangladesh.