United News of Bangladesh

The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh on Thursday hosted a reception for senior Bangladeshi officials who will travel to China to participate in a 2026 training programme. Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Dr Liu Yuyin and Prime Minister Adviser on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah attended the reception. All participants of the training programme were present at the event. Liu said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Bangladesh-China relations have been elevated to a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era, injecting strong momentum into the long-term development of bilateral relations. He said China firmly supports Bangladesh in exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions. Liu expressed hope that the training programme will enhance exchanges of experience in state governance between the two sides and make a positive contribution to Bangladesh’s national development and the building of a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future. Zabihullah expressed appreciation to the Chinese side for its thoughtful arrangements for the training programme. He expressed hope that the visit will provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of China’s development experience, enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two countries and peoples, expand practical cooperation in areas such as trade, science and technology, and contribute to delivering more outcomes in China-Bangladesh relations.

Australia and BRAC have signed a new AUD18 million (Tk 155 crore) agreement to support Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh. Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle and BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh signed the deal on Wednesday in the presence of Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, said the Australian High Commission on Thursday. Australia's flexible, multi-year funding will enable BRAC to sustain essential services for Rohingyas and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char who continue to live in complex conditions. BRAC activities will support health services, water, sanitation, education, disaster risk management, skills development and protection services in camps and host communities. This includes support to local organisations through BRAC's localisation fund that will strengthen national partners’ capacity, enable cost-effective delivery at scale and expand coverage in underserved camps. The agreement is part of Australia’s AUD 370 million (Tk 3,162 crore) humanitarian package for 2026-2028 to Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh and people in Myanmar. Since 2017, Australia has committed AUD 1.26 billion (Tk 10,770 crore) in humanitarian assistance in response to this regional crisis. Australia said it remains steadfast in its support to the government of Bangladesh in providing humanitarian assistance to displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh and their host communities. It is critical that the Rohingyas continue to have access to essential support until conditions are in place for a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar, said the High Commission.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday stressed the need for trade diversification and urged Lithuania to import more pharmaceutical products, biodegradable jute and jute goods, leather and leather products, agro-products, furniture and plastic goods from Bangladesh. She highlighted the investment opportunities in Bangladesh and invited Lithuanian investors to invest in sectors such as agro-processing, renewable energy, IT sector and cybersecurity, and waste management. Lithuanian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Vidmantas Verbickas called on the state minister at her office, when they discussed possible cooperation in issues such as environmental degradation and climate change, energy security, and food security. During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation and partnership in various sectors and issues, including education, demographic dividends, manpower and employment opportunities, human mobility and migration, visa facilitation, women empowerment, sports and culture, and deepening engagement in regional and international organisations. Shama Obaed recalled the historical relations that Bangladesh and Lithuania established in 1992 and emphasised widening mutually beneficial ties. She added that the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been striving hard to pursue a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy approach. The state minister focused on expanding soft diplomacy and strengthening cooperation on information technology and sharing experience and expertise. To deepen bilateral engagement, the two sides stressed the importance of high-level and business delegation visits, collaboration between business chambers, exchanges of youths and students, cultural troupes and sports teams, cooperation in tourism, and stronger people-to-people contacts. They also discussed the need to tap the untapped potential of Bangladesh-Lithuania relations and further strengthen bilateral ties.  

The United States has requested Bangladesh’s support for its candidatures in various upcoming elections at the United Nations (UN) and some of its related bodies. Bangladesh has assured the US that it will give due consideration to the requests to support US candidatures in the elections. The issues of mutual interest were discussed when US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim (CDA a.i.) Eric Geelan called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at her office on Thursday. Issues related to trafficking in persons (TIP) and the US annual report on TIP, energy, including LPG, education and training were discussed, among others.

Bangladesh and Lithuania on Thursday agreed to leverage their strategic geographic positions in the Baltic region and South and Southeast Asia to promote cooperation, stability and inter-regional connectivity. They also agreed to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 in a befitting manner, highlighting the achievements of the bilateral relationship and reaffirming their commitment to further strengthen ties. The two sides agreed to encourage greater private-sector interaction and exchanges of business delegations to realise the potential for expanded economic cooperation. The agreements came at the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Lithuania held in Dhaka, where both sides placed high priority to recalibrating and expanding bilateral relations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Anis Matta on Thursday expressed Indonesia’s interest to work closely with Bangladesh for greater economic cooperation beyond traditional business engagements. He met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at her office and discussed issues of mutual interest. Referring to the existing excellent relations between the two countries, State Minister Shama underscored the importance of deepening bilateral trade. She urged Indonesia to import more Bangladeshi products. She also emphasised greater cooperation among women entrepreneurs of the two countries.  

The Government and the United Nations (UN) have launched a Joint Programme to help migrants and returnees rebuild their lives with dignity and access the social support needed to recover and thrive. The 30-month programme brings together the International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) to address the medium- to long-term reintegration needs of Bangladeshi migrants and returnees. Supported by the UN's Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), the initiative will strengthen social protection mechanisms and promote social inclusion, with particular attention to vulnerable women, children and crisis-affected migrants. The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment will implement the programme as the lead government ministry. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Dr Laura Tomm Bonde, IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides on Thursday. Among those present at the signing ceremony were A. K. M. Sohel, Additional Secretary and Chief of the UN Wing at ERD; MoEWOE Additional Secretary Md Saiful Haque Chowdhury; and Dr Kazi Shahjahan, Joint Secretary of the UN Wing of ERD, along with representatives from the ministry, IOM, ILO, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA and other government agencies. “Through this Joint Programme, the UN will bring their expertise together to support the Government of Bangladesh to continue for building a coordinated and migrant centredreintegration ecosystem,” Dr Laura said. According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), more than 13 million Bangladeshis have travelled abroad for work since 2004, including over one million women. The programme supports Bangladesh’s reintegration goals and the Global Compact’s Objective 21 on dignified return and sustainable reintegration. It also advances the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 5, 8 and 10 on gender equality, decent work and reduced inequalities.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday stressed the need to explore untapped potential and strengthen cooperation between Bangladesh and Lithuania, particularly in trade, investment and emerging technologies. At a meeting with Lithuanian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Vidmantas Verbickas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister urged Lithuania to increase imports of Bangladeshi products, including readymade garments, textiles, pharmaceutical products, leather and leather goods. He also highlighted investment opportunities in Bangladesh and invited Lithuanian investors to invest in the country. The two sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They focused on expanding cooperation in information technology, e-registration, e-governance, financial technology (FinTech), cybersecurity, e-transportation, digitisation of transport systems, artificial intelligence and high-tech medical devices. The Lithuanian Vice-Minister highlighted Lithuania's expertise and potential in these sectors and expressed keen interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh. The two sides also discussed employment opportunities, human mobility and migration, as well as visa facilitation for Bangladeshi students, businesspeople, investors and tourists. They discussed the issue of Rohingya repatriation and sought Lithuania's support in this regard. The two ministers also discussed deeper engagement between Bangladesh and Lithuania during Lithuania's upcoming presidency of the European Union from January to June 2027. Verbickas congratulated Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, on his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. He expressed hope that Bangladesh-Lithuania relations would be further strengthened during Dr Rahman's tenure as President of the UN General Assembly and Lithuania's EU presidency. The State Minister emphasised the role of the EU-BD Business Forum, compliance with existing business frameworks, and the importance of regional connectivity centred on Lithuania in the Baltic region and beyond. He said such connectivity could help explore untapped potential, enhance bilateral relations and generate mutual benefits.

Bangladesh and the Netherlands on Thursday discussed political and economic developments, Bangladesh-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), LDC graduation, migration cooperation, human capital development, semiconductor technology, education and sports, and regional and multilateral issues. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry in the afternoon. The Dutch envoy briefed the State Minister on the upcoming visit of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador congratulated the State Minister on his recent assumption of office and expressed confidence in further strengthening Bangladesh-Netherlands relations. He appreciated the Netherlands’ longstanding support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in democratic transition, trade and investment, sustainable industrial development, water and agriculture. The State Minister also thanked the Netherlands for its continued support to the Rohingya and host communities and reiterated the importance of safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. The Ambassador reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in water management, agriculture, shipping, maritime infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement and enhanced cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fora.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Administration Affairs Md Ismail Zabihullah on Thursday stressed the importance of a whole-of-government approach to fully leverage the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speaking as the chief guest at the “AI and Innovation Dialogue”, he highlighted the Prime Minister’s priority of ensuring seamless interoperability across all public service delivery domains. He also recalled late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s contribution to enacting the country’s first ICT policy. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad attended the event as the special guest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly with the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister’s Office, organised the dialogue at the ministry’s auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The organisers reaffirmed the national priority of putting AI at the heart of Bangladesh’s tech diplomacy. It was the third thematic roundtable since the ministry’s Roadmap for Trade, Growth and Economic Diplomacy Conference held in June. Asad highlighted the need to ensure wider public access to advanced digital devices. He said pragmatic policies adopted by the BNP government would enable Bangladesh to produce inexpensive, advanced-feature phones in the near future. Asad also briefed participants on the government’s latest progress and upcoming plans on AI and innovation, saying necessary measures are being taken to establish a high-speed and secure connectivity platform. He said Bangladesh will have its own sovereign AI within the next 12 months, with computing chips for the platform already secured.