foreign-affairs
UN Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja visits Ukhia Rohingya camp
A six-member delegation, including the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Kanni Vignarazar, visited the Rohingya camp at Ukhiya in Cox's Bazar on Monday (September 11, 2023).
During this visit, they observed various activities of the donor organisation.
Also read: UN Assistant Secretary-General's visit to Bangladesh set for September 9
The delegation reached Block-L/17 of Rohingya Camp-18 in Ukhiya around 10:00 am on Monday. Later, they visited the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre at IMO.
During the visit, an IMO official presented the delegation with details by displaying various items bearing testimony to the history and heritage of the Rohingyas preserved inside the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre.
A group of Rohingya artists played musical instruments for the delegation and sang a Rohingya anthem (Tarana). They then visited the Model Village under the UNCR-NGO Forum and BRAC Dhara-run pilot project located in Camp 17 H/71 block and visited the ISO SET bio-diversity nurseries. During this time, BRAC officials briefed them on how waste material is paid for in the project.
Also read: UNDP facilitates dialogues among parliamentarians on gender-based hate speech and Bangladesh Delta Plan
Later, NGO officials gave a detailed briefing to the delegation on how the Rohingyas collect rations through smart cards. Later, they paid a courtesy call on the CIC at the CIC office of Camp-4 Extension.
US Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Vignarazar spoke to some of the Rohingyas who came to WFP’s e-voucher shop and inquired about them. Later, the six-member delegation returned to Cox's Bazar around 3:00 pm. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman and Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran were present during the visit.
Also read: Sweden, UNDP continue to work on climate adaptation in Bangladesh
"During this time, the delegation observed various activities of the donor organisation. Later, they spoke to some Rohingyas who had come to the WFP’s e-voucher shop for some time," said Mizanur.
4-day border conference of BGB-BSF going on in Chattogram
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) have started a four-day "Border Coordination Conference" in Chattogram.
The conference began at the BGB Chattogram Region Headquarters in Halishahar on Monday and will continue until Thursday.
Also read: BGB-BSF regional commander-level border conference concludes
According to a press release sent to the media from BGB Headquarters on Monday, the conference is going on at the region commander level of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar regions of BGB and the frontier IG commander level of Tripura, Mizoram, Kachor, and Meghalaya of BSF.
A 19-member Bangladesh delegation participated in the conference led by BGB Chattogram Region Commander Brig Gen Md Sajedur Rahman.
Also read: BGB-BSF DG-level border conference begins in Dhaka
Concerned sector commanders of all regions, including BGB's Sarail Region Commander Brig Gen Shahidul Islam, staff officers of BGB, and concerned officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Land Records and Survey, Joint River Commission, and Survey Department, participated in the conference.
On the other hand, a seven-member Indian delegation led by Frontier IG of BSF Meghalaya Frontier, Pradeep Kumar, participated in the conference.
Also read: BGB, BSF agree to cut border killings
The Indian delegation includes IGs of BSF Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Kachor Frontier, DIGs of concerned sectors, staff officers of BSF, and concerned officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs of India.
The conference discussed the effective implementation of the Integrated Border Management Plan, enhancing the existing mutual trust and harmony between the two forces, improving bilateral relations, and various issues of mutual interest.
The four-day border conference will conclude on September 14 with the signing of the Joint Records of Discussion. The Indian delegation is scheduled to return home the same day after the summit.
France happy with Bangladesh’s commitment for acquisition of 10 A350 from Airbus
France has thanked Bangladesh for its commitment concerning the acquisition of 10 A350 from Airbus.
The two countries underlined the importance of continued cooperation on improved air traffic management in all airports of Bangladesh.
Both countries welcomed enhanced cooperation in strategic sectors, according to the joint statement on Bangladesh-France partnership for peace, prosperity and people.
Bangladesh and France regard sovereignty and strategic autonomy as key principles for a stable, multi-polar world.
Also read: Bangladesh, France are opening up new areas of cooperation: PM Hasina
Likewise, as a contribution to the 2041 Vision of a Smart Bangladesh, the two countries welcomed the conclusion of a space partnership between Airbus DS and Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd. (BSCL) that will strengthen Bangladesh’s position as a Space nation after it masters its own sovereign earth observation satellite.
Bangladesh and France have agreed to cooperate in the fields of ICT and digital technology, including artificial intelligence.
In this regard, France invited Bangladesh to consider joining initiatives such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
They also stressed the importance of joining their efforts towards an enhanced management of cybersecurity issues for a global, open and secure cyberspace governed by international law.
Also read: Dhaka, Paris willing to step up defence cooperation, take relations to “strategic” level
France will work towards identification of technical assistance to Bangladesh in dealing with cybersecurity threats and will work together on the Global Digital Compact under the aegis of the UN.
Bangladesh and France share a deep-seated friendship, based on shared democratic values, promotion of human rights, sustaining peace and sustainable development.
This friendship is rooted in multi-layered historical ties that notably saw André Malraux, France’s former Minister of Culture, launch his memorable call for supporting Bangladesh during the Liberation War in 1971 and his subsequent meeting with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka in April 1973.
Building on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to France in November 2021, at her invitation, President Emmanuel Macron paid a bilateral visit to Bangladesh from 10-11 September 2023. The President of France and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh met on Monday in Dhaka to give a strong impetus to the bilateral relations, and stated their common conviction to develop a trusted and meaningful partnership fostering strategic autonomy - in support of global peace and security, resilience and prosperity, and people-centric connectivity.
Also read: France respects Bangladesh's sovereign policy independence: PM Hasina says after talks with President Macron
Dialogue on 'Nexus of Climate Smart Agriculture and Innovative Biotechnology' held
A dialogue on the 'Nexus of Climate Smart Agriculture and Innovative Biotechnology' was held in Dhaka on Monday.
The Agriculture Ministry and the US Department of Agriculture cohosted the dialogue at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Also read: WHO launches framework to safely unlock benefits of life sciences
The dialogue explored the potential of innovative biotechnology to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. Throughout the three technical sessions, scientists, academics, regulators, and policymakers shared the newest policies and research related to biotechnology.
The Chargé d'Affaires, at the US Embassy, Nathan Flook, joined Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter at the dialogue and discussed the importance of agricultural biotechnology in supporting farmers in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change to provide food for Bangladeshis.
Also read: COP28 UAE Presidency will host critical climate talks alongside an ambitious and inclusive two-week thematic program.
They highlighted the importance of precision biotechnology to build climate resilience in the agricultural sector during the inaugural session. Salinity intrusion, drought, and new pests have made it harder for farmers to produce food profitably, the release also said.
Flook underscored the importance of agricultural biotechnology as a safe tool to build resilience in agriculture and enhance global food security. He noted that, "The Biden Administration has made safeguarding and supporting biotechnology innovation a priority." The US regulatory system uses scientific risk-based procedures to enable farmers have access to new tools as quickly as possible, it said.
Also read: Bangladesh, US to hold defense dialogue in pursuit of secure Indo-Pacific region
The dialogue was an opportunity to discuss how gene-editing can help farmers produce more food with fewer resources and identify what other technologies will help Bangladesh reach its climate change goals, the release also said.
As members of the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate and the Global Methane Pledge, the United States and Bangladesh have a shared mission to support farmers’ livelihoods by being able to adapt to climate change, it added.
Biotechnology has a role to play in mitigating the impacts agricultural production has on the climate while increasing productivity. Flook emphasised that Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change.
Using biotechnology, scientists can accelerate the rate at which they can introduce new plant varieties that are able to respond to changing environmental conditions. The US Embassy stands ready to continue to support Bangladesh in adopting these new technologies, the release also said.
Dhaka, Paris willing to step up defence cooperation, take relations to “strategic” level
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to work towards taking the partnership for peace, prosperity and people to a "strategic" level.
Both countries condemned unconstitutional change of government and unlawful military takeover in any country, and called for urgent and unimpeded humanitarian assistance for those displaced due to conflicts, violence and atrocity crimes.
Highlighting partnership for strategic autonomy, peace and security, Bangladesh and France reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to international law and the UN Charter, notably the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts, and an abiding faith in multilateralism.
In that regard, France and Bangladesh reiterated their commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.
Bangladesh and France recalled the Letter of Intent on cooperation and exchanges in the field of defence signed between the two governments during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to France in November 2021.
Climate Emergency
Bangladesh and France believed in the strength of bilateral and international cooperation in the face of the climate emergency.
Both countries recognise the need for a more inclusive governance of the global financing architecture, following four key principles: ensuring that no country should have to choose between fighting poverty and conserving the planet; guaranteeing country ownership of transition strategies; delivering a financial stimulus with enhanced and predictable resources to support vulnerable economies; and mobilising additional private capital to achieve a net-zero and nature-positive world.
Bangladesh and France believed global efforts to facilitate access to climate finance for developing countries should be accelerated further.
France will continue to support vulnerable countries in facing extreme events and responding to loss and damage, including through the V20-G7 Global Shield against Climate Risks of which Bangladesh is a priority country, and through the further implementation of climate-resilient debt clauses.
Read: Bangladesh, France sign €184 credit facility deal to support urban governance, infrastructure improvement
Bangladesh and France support the operationalisation of the new funding arrangements, including a fund for assisting developing countries vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to loss and damage.
France reasserted its will to support the aspirations of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, in particular by promoting the use of the notion of vulnerability and fine-tuning it towards resilience and prosperity in all relevant fora, including multilateral development banks.
Bangladesh and France agree to join their efforts to ensure a result-oriented COP28 in Dubai this year.
They share the expectation to chart a course at COP28 towards an urgent transition to a climate resilient world, including through investments in renewable and clean energy.
They reiterated the necessity to accelerate the global energy transition away from fossil fuels, and to set and meet ambitious targets for renewable energy production and energy efficiency around the world, while ensuring that this transition is just and equitable.
France reiterated its aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and move away from its dependency on fossil fuels, while Bangladesh underscores the need for a sustained collaborative approach to support its energy transition efforts through access to affordable finances and technologies.
Read: France respects Bangladesh's sovereign policy independence: PM Hasina says after talks with President Macron
Bangladesh and France observed that climate change and supply chain disruptions are having a disastrous toll on food sovereignty, food security and nutrition worldwide.
Bangladesh and France agreed to strengthen their cooperation in sustainable and resilient food and agriculture systems in support of food security through regular dialogues.
In this regard, France appreciated Bangladesh’s joining the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM) initiative led by France.
Bangladesh deeply appreciated France’s development cooperation support in various areas, e.g. from water treatment to clean energy, from urban development to inclusive health services, featuring climate-oriented projects.
Bangladesh and France stressed the importance of the crucial ecosystem services provided by forests and wetlands and commit to deepening their cooperation to conserve and expand Bangladesh’s rich mangroves that are vital reserves of both biodiversity and carbon. France appreciates Bangladesh’s continued efforts in conserving its mangrove forest in the southwest region and the biodiversity therein.
Bangladesh and France agreed to cooperate in the fields of ICT and digital technology, including artificial intelligence.
In this regard, France invited Bangladesh to consider joining initiatives such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
Read more: ‘France will be, again, on your side’
They also stressed the importance of joining their efforts towards an enhanced management of cybersecurity issues for a global, open and secure cyberspace governed by international law.
France will work towards identification of technical assistance to Bangladesh in dealing with cybersecurity threats and will work together on the Global Digital Compact under the aegis of the UN.
Highlighting partnership for people-centric connectivity, including through civil societies, Bangladesh and France regarded culture as a major asset to underpin a strong, renewed people-centric connectivity.
They commended their long-standing cooperation in the field of archaeology, particularly through the unique Mahasthangarh archaeological mission, and agree to discuss other possible excavation and restoration missions.
Both countries acknowledged interest in further developing their cultural cooperation, and note the major role played by the Alliances Françaises in Dhaka and Chattogram in that regard.
Both countries recognized the importance of multilingualism and commit to promoting the learning of the French language in Bangladesh and the Bangla language in France.
France agreed to provide diplomatic and French language training in France for the young diplomats of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh and France agreed to continue their mutual cooperation within the UNESCO, including for promoting a Culture of Peace.
They wished to strengthen their scientific, technological and research cooperation and welcome the deployment of a French oceanography expert at the International Centre for Ocean Governance at Dhaka University as a means to bolster research cooperation in this crucial field.
Both countries reiterated their willingness to encourage more student, teacher and academics exchanges, including through training human resources at the higher educational and post-graduate level in diverse fields, with a focus on priority topics such as architecture, engineering, medicine, oceanography, seismology, climate action, sustainable tourism and development studies.
Bangladesh and France committed to launch regular high-level dialogues to deepen the strategic dimension of their partnership.
President Emmanuel Macron paid a bilateral visit to Bangladesh from 10-11 September.
The President of France and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh met on Monday in Dhaka to give a strong impetus to the bilateral relations, and stated their common conviction to develop a trusted and meaningful partnership fostering strategic autonomy - in support of global peace and security, resilience and prosperity, and people-centric connectivity.
Foreign exchange reserves fall below $22 billion
The foreign exchange reserves of Bangladesh Bank (BB) decreased to $21.5 billion after paying the $1.31 billion import bills of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU).
The foreign exchange reserves of Bangladesh have fallen in stress and continually decreased since easing the COVID-19 pandemic increasing the demand for imports.
Read More: Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves now $23.57 billion as per IMF formula
Despite BB’s move to tighten the spending of US dollars on unnecessary goods import, the foreign exchange crisis was deeper as the inward remittances flow decreased and the repatriation of export proceeds was delayed.
The central bank paid $1.31 billion to ACU on Sunday and then the forex reserves stood at $21.50 billion. This is well short of the desired reserves of around $25 billion in September according to the conditions of an IMF loan.
Read more: Forex reserves to improve soon: Finance Minister hopes in budget speech
The Asian Clearing Union (ACU) is a payment arrangement between the central banks of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The BB is calculating forex reserves for gross, which was around $27.61 billion while the reserves decreased to $21.50 on Sunday calculating as per the universally accepted formula for counting reserves.
The Executive Director and spokesperson of BB Md Mesbaul Hoque told UNB that actual foreign exchange reserves fell below $22 billion after paying the ACU’s liabilities on Sunday.
Read more: US Federal Reserve raises interest rates to highest in over 15 years
He said that reserves usually would not stand in a constant figure as remittances, export earnings, and foreign grants are added to the foreign exchange continually.
President Macron takes boat trip on Turag River
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday took a boat trip on the Turag River before wrapping up his visit to Bangladesh.
Macron enjoyed the unscheduled boat ride, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud.
The French president was accompanied by Hasan and Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP.
Bangladesh, France sign €184 credit facility deal to support urban governance, infrastructure improvement
Hasan uploaded two photos on his Facebook profile and wrote, “Selfie with French President Honorable Emmanuel Macron after boat trip on Turag River, Dhaka. He enjoyed the boat trip a lot.”
"Privileged to welcome, accompany President Emmanuel Macron on a boat ride and discuss how Bangladesh and France can contribute to global solidarity on mitigation, adaptation and resilience building," Saber tweeted.
Bangladesh, France sign €184 credit facility deal to support urban governance, infrastructure improvement
Bangladesh and France on Monday signed €184 credit facility agreement in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Sharifa Khan, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and Benoit Chassatte, French Development Agency (AFD) Country Director in Dhaka, signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and France respectively.
The credit facility agreement was inked to support urban governance and infrastructure improvement in Bangladesh.
Read: Dhaka, New Delhi sign 3 MoUs after Hasina-Modi talks
This concessional loan will help the Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement or UGIIP project, which will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), said AFD.
This result-based lending program falls under the broader Government's Municipal Development Plan to strengthen urban governance and institutional capacity.
It also serves to provide capital investment for improved municipal infrastructure and service provision in 88 municipalities.
Read: Dhaka, New Delhi likely to sign 3 MoUs during PM Hasina’s G-20 visit to India: Momen
Specific objectives of the project are srengthening municipal governance, improvement of revenue collection, capacity building for municipal institutions, risk sensitive planning, women empowerment, concrete infrastructure improvement and slum area support.
Through this project, LGED and AFD hope to reduce urban poverty, improve urban living conditions, support a more inclusive governance and more resilient municipalities.
Read more: Dhaka, Jakarta sign MoU on energy, health cooperation
President Macron pays tribute to Bangabandhu
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32.
"I wanted to pay tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who dedicated his life to the fight for the independence of his nation, its language and its culture and for the people of Bangladesh," he wrote in visitors' book in French language.
Read: President pays tribute to Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi
Dhaka, Paris sign two instruments
Dhaka and Paris on Monday signed two bilateral instruments (agreements/MoUs) to enhance cooperation in different fields including infrastructure and satellite, officials said.
The documents were inked in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and France President Emmanuel Macron at Karobi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office here in the city.
Read: France respects Bangladesh's sovereign policy independence: PM Hasina says after talks with President Macron
These are:
1. A Credit Facility Agreement between Economic Relations Division (ERD), Bangladesh and the France Development Agency (AFD), France on "Improving Urban Governance and Infrastructure Program" signed by ERD Secretary Sharifa Khan and Benoît Chassatte, Country Director, Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
2. Letter of Intent (LOI) on Cooperation between Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) and Airbus Defence and Space SAS, France related to Bangabandhu-2 Earth Observation Satellite System signed by BSCL Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood and Stephane Vesval, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Space Systems, Airbus.
Earlier, Hasina and Macron held talks to explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Read: Talks between PM Hasina and French President Macron end
Macron, the first French president to visit Bangladesh in 33 years, arrived here in Dhaka on Sunday evening from India after attending the G20 summit in New Delhi. The French leader is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 2pm today (on Monday).
Francois Mitterrand was the last French president to visit Bangladesh on 22-24 February, 1990.
Total trade between Bangladesh and France soared from 210M€ to 4.9 billion€ today with France being the 5th country for exports.
Read: ‘France will be, again, on your side’
French companies are now involved in various sectors including engineering, energy, aerospace and water sectors.