Foreign-Affairs
Chinese PM Li Qian congratulates Sheikh Hasina
Chinese Prime Minister (Premier of the State Council) Li Qian on Thursday extended warm congratulations and best wishes to his Bangladeshi counterpart for her re-election as prime minister.
“China and Bangladesh are close neighbours with long-established friendship and development partners of close cooperation,” he said in a letter sent to premier Sheikh Hasina.
In recent years, he said that China and Bangladesh have deepened political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in Belt and Road cooperation.
“I stand ready to work with you to promote the bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation, further develop China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, so as to better benefit our two countries and two peoples,” he said.
BIMSTEC secretary general congratulates PM Hasina
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) secretary general Indra Mani Pandey on Thursday congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her historic re- appointment to the high office of the Prime Minister of the Government Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive term.
In a letter, the BIMSTEC official said that as one of the founding members of the group Bangladesh, under the leadership of Hasina, has been playing an important role in expanding regional cooperation within its framework.
Also read: BIMSTEC chief vows to translate its grand vision into reality for deepening cooperation
“The leadership of Bangladesh will remain critical for achieving the BIMSTEC'S vision of building a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Bay of Bengal region,” he said.
He expressed his confidence that under Hasina’s able leadership, Bangladesh will keep contributing to BIMSTEC to reach new heights in the coming years and transforming itself into a vibrant regional organisation.
Also read: Indra Mani Pandey of India to join as next Secretary General of BIMSTEC soon
US Ambassador Haas highlights importance of working with Bangladesh to combat human trafficking
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said working together with Bangladesh to combat human trafficking is a great example of how the two countries can collaborate to stop those who exploit people for profit.
"While today we honor those who help end the crime of human trafficking, the United States is committed to partnering with Bangladesh each and every day to protect the most vulnerable, to bring traffickers to justice, and to once and for all end the scourge of human trafficking," he said.
Peter Haas to spend Christmas with family in India
The US Embassy in Dhaka celebrated National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and reflected upon its continued partnership with Bangladesh to prevent human trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and provide for survivors.
In 2023, the US Embassy and the US Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) and Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) conducted human trafficking training for more than 200 investigators, financial analysts, prosecutors, and judges throughout Bangladesh.
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These capacity-building programs are conducted in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and provide expert assistance, victim-centered skills development, and case-based mentoring to Bangladeshi counterparts, said the Embassy on Thursday.
Together, ICITAP and OPDAT conducted 48 training sessions in Bangladesh, and ICITAP partnered with USAID-funded activities to engage in community outreach programs to raise awareness about the dangers of trafficking and educate communities on how to identify and report potential cases.
US Ambassador Peter Haas returns to Dhaka
These efforts reflect a holistic strategy to involve law enforcement, the community, and NGOs, said the US government.
Nippon Foundation Chairman congratulates PM Sheikh Hasina
The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League for the victory in the general election.
He also extended his sincere respect for Sheikh Hasina’s dedication to the further development of Bangladesh.
In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Yohei Sasakawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude as she was willing to lead the second National Leprosy Conference in November last.
The Nippon Foundation Chairman said that over the past few years, the global leprosy programmes have faced stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also mentioned that the hosting of national leprosy conference in Bangladesh not only serves opportunity to strengthen leprosy programmes within Bangladesh, but also will reinforce leprosy programmes worldwide, using Bangladesh as a successful model.
“I remain committed to providing comprehensive support for your country’s endeavours,” he said.
Ambassador Muhith elected President of Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, has been elected as the President of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, and UNOPS for 2024 at the elections held at United Nations Headquarters.
The member states also elected the Ambassadors of Colombia, Germany, Romania and Ethiopia as Vice-Presidents of the Executive Board.
With this election, Bangladesh takes up the Presidency of the Executive Board of these three very important agencies of the United Nations.
UNDP, ERD ink agreements to extend partnership
As the President of the Board, Bangladesh will be able to contribute further to the work of the UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, who have specific mandates to support the countries achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Bangladesh will also be able to work closely with the other board members and the leaderships of these three vital UN Agencies and provide them with strategic guidance.
In his inaugural statement, Ambassador Muhith thanked the members of the Executive Board for electing him as the President. He also expressed his appreciation to UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS for their remarkable contributions in empowering people around the world and advancing their development aspirations.
“In the context of the difficult challenges that the development agenda of the United Nations suffered due to the pandemic and ongoing humanitarian and climate crises, UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS need to prepare themselves to deliver better, based on new and reinvigorated multilateral commitments and through coordinate efforts and engagement with all stakeholders,” he said.
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“And the Executive Board will remain ready to provide those agencies with necessary direction and resources so that they can continue to be at the forefront of all such efforts,” he added.
The election of Ambassador Muhith as the President of the Board comes as a demonstration of the trust and confidence Bangladesh enjoys in the UN as well as recognition of Bangladesh’s unique success in achieving sustainable development through innovative means under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Since joining this Mission as the Permanent Representative in July 2022, Ambassador Muhith has served as the Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the President of the Executive Board of UN-Women and the Vice-President of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS.
The Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, composed of 36 members, was created by General Assembly resolution in 1993.
The Executive Board superseded the 48-member Governing Council on 1 January 1994.
The Executive Board is responsible for providing inter-governmental support to and supervision of the activities of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council, and the responsibilities set out in the United Nations Charter.
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US says ‘nothing has changed’ about its desire to see Bangladeshis’ aspirations being met
The United States has said "nothing has changed" about their desire to see that the aspirations of Bangladeshis are met.
"We obviously still believe in the importance of viable, vibrant democratic institutions all over the world," National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters during a media briefing at White House on January 10.
Bangladesh elections were not free and fair: US
Bangladesh is set to see the formation of a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this evening.
Bangladesh's foreign friends and partners have already congratulated the Prime Minister and her party, Awami League, on election victory.
Dhaka-Washington ties won't be affected by verdict in Yunus case: Foreign Secretary
India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the OIC, and other South Asian countries have congratulated her.
"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller earlier said.
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Passport Index 2024: Bangladesh in bottom 10, shares 97th spot with North Korea
The 2024 edition of Henley Passport Index – the most widely-accepted rating of global travel documents – places the Bangladeshi passport at 97th position, down one place from the last quarter of 2023.
The latest edition of the Passport Index — published on Tuesday — features a total of 104 spots with some countries’ passports sharing the same ranking.
Bangladesh ranked 97th on the index, sharing the spot with North Korea — a country virtually isolated from the rest of the world.
The ranking is based on the number of destinations passport holders can access without a prior visa.
Also read: Bangladesh climbs 5 spots in latest passport ranking, still behind Sri Lanka and Libya
According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, a Bangladeshi passport entitles visa-free travel to 42 destinations.
In South Asia, the Bangladeshi passport fared better compared to that of Nepal (98), Pakistan (101) and Afghanistan (104).
Maldives’ passport ranked at 58, becoming the strongest in South Asia with visa-free access to 94 countries. India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka’s passports ranked at 80th, 87th and 96th respectively.
An unprecedented six countries share the top spot for the most desirable travel documents in 2024.
Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain now have access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to a remarkable 194 destinations worldwide.
This figure marks the highest count recorded since the Henley Passport Index began monitoring global travel freedoms 19 years ago, according to CNN.
Also read: Bangladesh e-Passport Information Update: Step by Step Procedure, Related Costs
Apart from those 6 countries who share the top spot, other countries sharing the top 5 rankings in the Henley Passport Index are: Finland, South Korea, Sweden in the second spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 193 countries; Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands sharing the third spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 192 countries; Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal United Kingdom in fourth spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 191 countries; Greece, Malta, and Switzerland in the fifth spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 190 destinations.
Countries sharing the bottom 5 rankings as per the passport index are: Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
The Henley Passport Index, the only one of its kind based on unique data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), has historical data going back 19 years. The database lists 227 travel destinations and 199 passports.
The Henley Passport Index is updated every quarter, and is regarded as the go-to resource for global citizens and sovereign states for determining where a passport ranks on the scale of global mobility.
Also read: Bangladesh passport visa free countries for 2023
UN for all parties to shun violence in Bangladesh
The United Nations (UN) has reiterated its call to all parties in Bangladesh to reject any form of violence and ensure that everyone’s human rights and rule of law are fully respected.
Read: Global unemployment rate set to increase in 2024
"I think, as we’ve told you earlier, the Secretary-General calls on — and very publicly — for all parties to reject all forms of violence and to ensure that everyone’s human rights and everyone’s access to the rule of law are fully respected," Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric told reporters during a regular briefing in New York on January 9.
He said that it is essential for the consolidation of democracy and economic prosperity in Bangladesh.
Read: UN chief calls on all parties to reject violence and ensure human rights, law are respected in Bangladesh
"And he’s, of course, concerned about reports of the violence that we’ve seen," said the Spokesperson.
Japan welcomes peaceful polls; notes some irregularities
Japan has welcomed Bangladesh polls, noting that overall the election was generally conducted peacefully.
However, it noted that "some irregularities" were reported in the general election.
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"As far as our mission was able to observe, the election process was conducted in accordance with procedures," said Press Secretary Kobayashi Maki in a statement on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Japan regretted that there were incidents of violence with casualties in the process leading up to the general election.
Japan hoped that Bangladesh, as a strategic partner, will make progress in its efforts for further development as a democratic nation.
"Japan intends to continue to support Bangladesh for its development and prosperity, and further develop the bilateral relationship," the statement reads.
On January 8, Bangladesh Election Commission announced the result of the 12th general elections held on January 7.
‘It is a victory for democracy and people of the country’: Momen
From Japan, an election observer mission headed by Watanabe Masato, former Ambassador to Bangladesh, consisting of officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh as well as an outside expert, conducted monitoring activities on site.
Australia urges Bangladesh govt to prioritise strengthening its democratic institutions
The Australian government has urged the Bangladesh government to “prioritise” the strengthening of its democratic institutions, which “underpin” the protection of human rights, rule of law and the promotion of development.
“As a close partner, Australia remains committed to working with Bangladesh to achieve our shared vision for an open, stable, prosperous and inclusive region,” said the Australian government in a statement on Bangladesh elections.
Australia noted the results of the parliamentary election in Bangladesh on January 7.
“While we welcome the fact that millions of Bangladeshi voters exercised their right to vote on election day, it is regrettable that the elections took place in an environment where not all stakeholders could participate meaningfully and substantially,” it observed.
As a longstanding friend of Bangladesh, Australia said they are concerned about the violence and the arrests of political opposition members that took place in the lead-up to the elections.
Australia has consistently highlighted to Bangladesh the importance of free and fair elections, said the statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.