Foreign-Affairs
Commonwealth must keep Queen's memory alive: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the Commonwealth must do something befitting for Queen Elizabeth II in remembrance of her dedicated service to the forum over the years.
She said this during her meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland at her place of residence.
According to a press release, the prime minister dubbed the late Queen as a ‘motherly figure’ and recalled her personal memories with the Queen.
The Commonwealth secretary general paid tribute to the Queen for her abiding commitment to the Commonwealth, and expressed her confidence that the legacy would be carried forward by King Charles III as the new Head of the Commonwealth.
The PM congratulated the secretary general on her re-election during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June this year.
Patricia Scotland lauded Hasina for her contributions to women’s empowerment, child development, mental health issues, combating climate change and countering violent extremism.
She once again appreciated the prime minister’s leadership in successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic, and observed that those Commonwealth Member States had fared better during the crisis that had women in the lead or had women actively included in the management process.
Read: PM Hasina leaves Dhaka to attend 77th UNGA
PM Hasina responded positively to the Secretary General’s suggestion on highlighting the female leadership within the Commonwealth family on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. She also committed to partner with the Commonwealth to observe the “Year of Peace” and the “Year of Youth” through commemorative events next year.
The secretary general made a particular mention of Bangladesh’s work in nature conservation and disaster management, and invited the prime minister to demonstrate leaderhip in the Commonwealth’s “Living Lands” initiative. She also recalled Bangladesh’s lead engagement with the organisation’s “Blue Charter” initiative.
The Bangladesh PM underscored the importance of the Commonwealth’s economic development activities. She expressed satisfaction at the work being done on promoting business-to-business connectivity, with Bangladesh’s active footprint.
Among others, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Senior Secretary at Prime Minister’s Office Mohammed Tofazzel Hossain Miah, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem were present.
"Bangladesh-India are connected through the heart"
Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has said Bangladesh-India relationship is a “train” that must keep moving to do more great things together.
“That energy needs to be carried through,” he said, adding that there are many great things that the two countries have achieved together in the past decade which should be celebrated.
Speaking at a reception at the High Commission of India in Dhaka last (September 15, 2022) evening, Doraiswami said people of Bangladesh and India are connected through hearts and souls; and it is stronger than blood relations.
Doraiswami said Bangladesh-India relationship will have challenges but it is a relationship built with the connection between hearts.
Also read: Doraiswami: PM Hasina’s India visit "extremely successful" with "strong deliverables"
The Indian diplomat said, the most important aspect of Bangladesh-India ties is: “We are your relatives and you are our relatives.”
Therefore, he said, expectations from each other can sometimes be unrealistic.
The High Commissioner urged his friends in Bangladesh to always look at the glass as “half full”.
“We have, of course, things that we need to do together,” he said.
Also read: Masud Bin Momen bids farewell to Doraiswami
Doraiswami said there are many kinds of honour that one has in life but serving in a country like Bangladesh – the country that is of such significance and importance to India — has doubled the honour.
Current and former ministers, opposition leaders, business leaders, diplomats, civil society members, artistes and senior journalists joined the reception hosted by the High Commission to say goodbye.
High Commissioner Doraiswami is likely to leave Dhaka on September 18, wrapping up his “engaging” tenure in Bangladesh. He has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
Pranay Kumar to Arrive in Dhaka Soon
Pranay Kumar Verma, who most recently served as Ambassador of India to Vietnam, has been appointed the next High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.
He is expected to arrive in Dhaka on September 21 and formally take up the assignment shortly after submitting his credentials to President Abdul Hamid.
Pranay Verma joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1994 and has held diplomatic assignments in Hong Kong, San Francisco, Beijing, Kathmandu and Washington DC.
He has served as the Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi since June 2017.
Earlier, he also served as the Joint Secretary for external relations at the Department of Atomic Energy looking after India’s nuclear diplomacy.
Bangladesh, Myanmar to work together to combat drug trafficking, narcotics smuggling
Bangladesh and Myanmar will work together to combat drug trafficking and narcotic smuggling across the borders to ensure peace, stability and security in both countries.
Both sides made the commitment at the 5th Bangladesh-Myanmar meeting on the prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances organised by Myanmar's Central Committee on Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) online Thursday.
Department of Narcotics Control Director General Abdul Wahab Bhuiyan led a 20-member Bangladesh delegation.
Police Brigadier Win Nying, chief of CCDAC, headed a 13-member Myanmar delegation.
BGMEA president meets Russian ambassador
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan paid a visit to Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy Thursday.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Rajiv Chowdhury, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hosna Ara and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud also joined the meeting at the Russian Embassy in Dhaka.
Faruque informed the envoy about the present situation of Bangladesh's apparel industry which is putting all of its efforts towards enhancing its business capabilities, especially by focusing on diversified high-value products, capacity development of backward linkage industry, integration of energy-efficient technologies into production, and skill development.
He also mentioned the industry's strides in environmental sustainability and ongoing initiatives to achieve a long-term, scalable transition to a circular fashion system.
Faruque invited the ambassador to join the "Made in Bangladesh Week" which will be organised by the BGMEA on 12-18 November this year.
Norway can help accelerate green growth of Bangladesh's RMG: BGMEA
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said Norway can collaborate with the country's apparel industry in renewable energy, innovation, knowledge and technical solutions to accelerate its green growth.
Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen and BGMEA President Faruque Hassan had a meeting in Dhaka Thursday.
Faruque invited Norwegian businessmen to explore Bangladesh as an attractive destination for investments in potential sectors like ICT, light engineering, and pharmaceuticals.
He informed the ambassador of the current status of Bangladesh's apparel industry, including progress in ensuring workplace safety, environmental sustainability and responsible business practices.
Sustainability, product diversification, innovation, technology upgradation, and skill development are some of the areas where the industry is giving top priority to achieve its next level of growth, he said.
Praising the readymade garments (RMG) sector's achievements in environmental sustainability, the Norway ambassador showed keen interest in collaborating with the industry to promote its green growth.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President Md Nasir Uddin; directors Rajiv Chowdhury, Neela Hosna Ara and BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO issue Chair ANM Saifuddin were also present at the meeting.
US exploring ways to expand security cooperation with Bangladesh
The US is exploring ways to expand security cooperation with Bangladesh as this is a "vital element of the relationship between the two countries."
This week acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Operations in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Donna Welton visited Dhaka to discuss ways to expand this cooperation, the US Embassy in Dhaka said.
Welton's visit underscores the US' commitment to their "military-to-military cooperation" which makes both the nations "more secure," it added.
The acting deputy assistant secretary met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Bangladesh military to explore how the US is supporting Bangladesh's leading role in UN peacekeeping operations.
The discussions included their support for Bangladesh's pledge to develop an unmanned aerial systems capability for UN operations.
During her visit Welton also participated in the annual Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS), the largest land forces conference in the region, hosted by the Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific.
Also, the acting deputy assistant secretary visited the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) offices to discuss regional security, gender issues, and human rights.
UNRC Lewis seeks holistic approach to HIV response
UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis has highlighted the need to have a holistic approach to the HIV response, focusing on providing choices and socio-economic opportunities to those affected regardless of their sexual identities or professions.
A joint mission of the United Nations (UN) headed by Gwyn Lewis visited project sites in Naraynganj on Tuesday, said the UN office in Dhaka.
The mission focused on learning from projects that work to prevent the spread of HIV amongst sex workers, people who inject drugs, transgender people and other key population groups who may be affected by HIV.
The joint mission consisted of the country directors for UNAIDS Dr Saima Khan and UN Women Gitanjali Singh, along with other representatives from UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, and UNODC.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s AIDS/STD Programme (ASP) and implementing partners were also present during this visit.
Read: Gwyn Lewis of Ireland appointed UNRC in Bangladesh
The implementing partners include Save the Children, icddr,b, Bandhu Social Welfare Society, Care Bangladesh and the Networks and CBOs of sex workers, people who inject drugs, transgender, etc.
The mission spoke with several members of key targeted populations at four DICs.
DICs are drop-in centres where socially marginalized groups can access health and support services to prevent HIV and from where individuals are referred to other services that they may need regarding health, social welfare, etc. Some of these centres implement opioid substitution therapy (OST), which involves supporting those suffering from opioid use through various means.
Beyond these supports, the centres sometimes also facilitate socio-economic integration to support affected populations in earning a livelihood.
Also read: A child infected with HIV every 100 seconds: UN report
Speaking on the four DIC’s visited Gwyn Lewis remarked how these centres were “Demonstrating what partnerships can do to change lives for the better.”
These interventions are part of the whole prevention, treatment, care and support services being provided under the larger response to HIV.
HIV services also embrace human rights and gender-based approaches through local and national advocacy to increase access to services addressing gender-based violence and social welfare.
Key populations for HIV interventions often have needs that are unique, and their meaningful participation is critical to a successful HIV response.
"Bangladesh should not have to carry the burden of climate change alone"
UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change Ian Fry has said the major greenhouse emitting countries have a clear obligation under international law to provide funding to help highly vulnerable countries like Bangladesh to recover from the impacts of climate change."Bangladesh should not have to carry the burden of climate change alone," the UN expert said on Thursday, calling for an international fund to help the South Asian country to recover from the impacts of extreme weather events.He visited some of the most adversely affected regions of Bangladesh and said it is clear to him that the burden of climate change should not be carried by Bangladesh alone.
Read What can COP27 do for climate vulnerable countries?“For too long, major emitting countries have denied their responsibility for the suffering they are causing. This must end," said the UN Special Rapporteur.In a statement at the end of his 10-day visit to Bangladesh to study the impact of climate change in the South Asian nation, Fry said the international community must immediately establish a loss and damage fund to finance the recovery of climate change-affected States.
Fry said women carried an enormous burden of climate change impacts, walking long distances to fetch fresh water, which put them at risk of sexual harassment and kept them from childcare and farming.
Read Aid pours into Pakistan; deaths from floods cross 1,200 markAccording to the Special Rapporteur, women lost livestock, crops and stored seeds in the flash floods of Sylhet, in northeast Bangladesh, and it would take the community at least two years to fully recover.During his visit, the UN expert held meetings online with indigenous peoples who expressed grave concerns about their future, as the logging of their land was destroying traditional livelihoods and making it harder to find freshwater, food and medicine.The logging was a violation of the Bangladesh government’s own programme to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+), the Special Rapporteur said.
Read: UN human rights expert on climate change to visit Bangladesh from Sept 4-15
The government refuses to recognise that these communities are indigenous, and their plight was therefore being ignored, he said.“The issue of climate change displacement was deeply disturbing for me. Millions of people suffering from hardship caused by climate change are migrating to cities to seek other opportunities,” the expert said.“Inevitably these people end up in the slum areas of the major cities, where their basic rights are being denied,” he said.
Read Dangerous heat predicted to hit 3 times more often in futureThe Special Rapporteur said he had received reports that the situation of children in urban slums was particularly dire.“They suffer high rates of malnourishment, school drop-out, child marriage, child labour and abuse,” he said.Fry said he also met with climate change activists who claimed they were being persecuted by the government for protesting against new coal-fired power plants.
Read Northeastern farmers face new challenges with severe drought“The government appears to be using the Digital Protection Act to suppress the voice of climate activists. This is a gross overreaction. People have the right to express their views without being referred to as ‘terrorists’, the UN expert said.Fry will present a report to the UN General Assembly in 2022, focused on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change mitigation, loss, damage and participation – an issue he said was brought sharply into focus during his visit to Bangladesh.A full report on his visit to Bangladesh will be presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2023.
Read Climate change wipes out $525 bn over last 2 decades: Report
Momen, Canadian High Commissioner welcome formation of CBAA
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has welcomed the formation of the Canada Bangladesh Alumni Association (CBAA), as an effective public as well as economic diplomacy tool to augment bilateral relations between the two countries.
A delegation led by the President of the Executive Council (EXCO) of CBAA Khorshed Khastagir met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently.
Director General (Public Diplomacy) Toufique Hasan, Director General (Foreign Minister’s Office) Emdadul Islam Chowdhury of the Ministry and CBAA Vice President Saiful Islam, Treasurer Eazaz Mohammed, EXCO members Kazi Muinur Rahman and Ehtesham Jilhan Bin Salim were present during the courtesy call on, said a media release on Thursday.
Read:Outgoing Indian envoy meets Momen, extends Jaishankar’s invitation for event during UNGA
KOICA to improve Bangladesh fire service officials' capacity through training in S Korea
South Korea, through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), will start a programme Saturday to increase the capacities of Bangladesh fire service officials to ensure stable operation and efficient management.
Five officials from Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence will participate in the 14-day training in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.
The training in South Korea will help them understand the support system of the Emergency Response Control Center, and acquire the procedures and techniques for the operation of a comprehensive disaster prevention system.
It will also help them enable a stable system operation and efficient management of fire service and civil defence and strengthen future cooperation in the area.
Korea Information Systems Consulting and Audit will organise field visits to important sites and offices for a better understanding of Korea's National Emergency Management Agency.
Finally, the Bangladesh officials will develop a country action plan to develop feasible measures to apply the knowledge, technology and experience learned to their workplace.
Read: Fire Service control room landphones go out of order