United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has achieved a significant diplomatic milestone with its unanimous election as a vice-president of the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) 2026.  International Labour Conference is the premier global forum on labour and employment issues convened by the International Labour Organization annually.  Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva Nahida Sobhan assumed the role Vice-President, alongside President of the Conference Juan Castillo, Minister of Labour and Social Security of Uruguay, and two other Vice Presidents, Kristen Kaufman from United States and Gerardo Martínez from Argentina.  The election was endorsed by delegates representing 187 countries, reflecting the confidence  and trust of the international community in Bangladesh’s constructive leadership in global labour governance, said a media release issued by the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva.  This prestigious position underscores Bangladesh’s new government's commitment to promoting democratization of ILO, decent work, advancing social justice, and protecting labour rights. It reflects the international recognition of Bangladesh’s contribution to advancing multilateral cooperation in addressing the evolving challenges facing the global  workforce. As Vice-President of the Conference, Bangladesh will contribute to guiding the proceedings  of the ILC and facilitating consensus-building among member states and social partners on key policy issues affecting workers and workplaces worldwide. The International Labour Conference, often referred to as the “world parliament of labour,” is the highest decision-making body of the ILO. It brings together governments, workers ’organizations, and employers ’representatives from across the world to deliberate on critical issues shaping the future of work.  This year’s conference has drawn approximately 5,000 delegates, making it the largest global gathering dedicated to labour, employment, and social  justice.

The election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 81st  session will be held today (June 2) at 10am (NY Time) in the General Assembly Hall, UNHQs. The outcome of the election is expected to be announced after 8pm today (Tuesday), following the completion of voting. The election will be held in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the 81st session of the General Assembly will be elected from the Asia Pacific Group. Bangladesh and Cyprus are competing for the post. “While Bangladesh's candidate, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, is widely viewed as a very strong contender, the outcome will ultimately depend on how competing geopolitical interests align in the closing stages of the campaign, making the final moments before the vote particularly significant,” a diplomat told UNB. Bangladesh last held the prestigious position in 1986-87, when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly. Four decades later, the country is seeking to reclaim the post. The 81st session of the UNGA will open on September 8, 2026, with the high-level General Debate commencing on September 22. Ambassador Andreas S. Kakouris, Cyprus' candidate for the UNGA Presidency, brings over four decades of diplomatic and administrative experience in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, as well as at headquarters. The position changes every year and rotates among the five regional groups of the UN (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others). The President is elected directly by the member states in the UNGA, with each country having one vote. On June 2, 2025, former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the General Assembly’s 80th session. She assumed the role at a challenging time, with ongoing conflicts, faltering development goals, mounting financial pressures, and the upcoming selection of the next Secretary-General. Baerbock received 167 votes following the secret ballot. Fourteen delegations abstained.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Monday encouraged the Bangladesh officials to gain a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the practices and experiences of Chinese modernization through exchanges of ideas and field visits. Speaking at a pre-departure reception for the training group for senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) of Bangladesh, the Ambassador encouraged the officials to draw useful inspiration by relating what they see and learn in China to Bangladesh’s own development needs and realities. Ambassador Yao said high-level exchanges and cooperation across various fields between Bangladesh and China have been highly active in recent months.  The upcoming training programme in China for the senior officials from the PMO represents a further continuation and deepening of this positive momentum. Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Md smail Zabihullah and other representatives were present at the reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh. Ismail Zabihullah expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy for providing the valuable opportunity for training in China.  He said Bangladesh stands ready to further deepen cooperation with China, strengthen exchanges on governance experience, and promote the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new level.

Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Arun Hemachandra on Monday underscored the importance of arranging a State-level visit between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, two friendly countries, in the near future. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias paid a farewell call on the acting Foreign Minister and discussed the issues of mutual interest. The meeting reflected the enduring bonds of friendship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen and elevate their bilateral relations in the years ahead, said the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo. During the meeting, the acting Foreign Minister expressed his deep appreciation for the High Commissioner’s efforts in strengthening Bangladesh-Sri Lanka relations during his tenure. He conveyed his satisfaction with the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation and noted that the time is opportune to elevate the relationship to a higher level. The Bangladesh High Commissioner expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for its continued friendship and support to Bangladesh, particularly in multilateral fora. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to further deepening cooperation and expanding engagement with Sri Lanka across a wide range of sectors of mutual interest. The High Commissioner also thanked the acting Foreign Minister for his personal support, guidance, and goodwill throughout his tenure in Sri Lanka.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has been admitted as a sector member of the International Telecommunication Union Development Sector (ITU-D), its Secretariat said on Monday. The ITU Council, at its 2026 Session held from April 28 to May 8, approved BIMSTEC’s application for membership in ITU-D. The decision was formally communicated to BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin through her letter dated May 28. This development marks a significant milestone in strengthening BIMSTEC’s engagement with ITU for advancing regional cooperation in information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, capacity building and telecommunications development, said the regional body. BIMSTEC’s participation in ITU-D is expected to facilitate closer collaboration with ITU and create additional opportunities for BIMSTEC Member States to benefit from ITU’s expertise, resources, programmes and activities. The BIMSTEC Secretariat will endeavour to leverage these opportunities, particularly in the fields of ICT and AI, for the benefit of the BIMSTEC Member States. BIMSTEC said it attaches high importance to digital and AI technologies as key enablers of socio-economic development, regional connectivity, innovation and digital transformation. Its association with ITU will provide a valuable platform to further advance cooperation in emerging technologies, promote inclusive digital development and support sustainable development across the BIMSTEC region, BIMSTEC said. BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of France Frederic Inza has said Air Astra is establishing itself as a ‘serious player’ in a fast-growing market, with significantly increased operational capacity. A new aircraft was delivered to Air Astra in Bangladesh on Sunday by the European company ATR, co-owned by Airbus and Leonardo. “With this acquisition, there is no doubt that Air Astra is establishing itself as a serious player in a fast-growing market, with significantly increased operational capacity,” Frederic Inza said while speaking at the event at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The ATR 72-600 is particularly well suited to Bangladesh, as it combines reliability and comfort and it is a global leader in regional aviation, with 1,800 aircraft built over the past 45 years, said the French Embassy in Dhaka on Monday. ATR is present in 100 countries and works with 200 operators. Like France, it is a reliable and trusted partner, the Embassy said. It is also a group committed to the fight against climate change, with aircraft capable of flying on up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel, a challenge that concerns the entire world and one that France and Bangladesh are addressing together. ATR’s proven eco-friendly performance makes it an extremely attractive model for airlines operating in all types of environments, perfectly meeting Bangladesh’s need to strengthen its domestic and regional connectivity, according to the French Embassy in Dhaka. As part of its fleet and network expansion plans, the youngest airline of Bangladesh - Air Astra - received the delivery of a brand-new ATR72-600 aircraft. The first of three brand-new aircraft arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal Intl Airport, Dhaka at 6pm local time, before which it did a low-pass demonstration over the airport and received a beautiful water-cannon salute after landing. Frederic Inza lauded the airline's expansion with the best-selling, French-built turboprop aircraft for regional operations around the world. CEO of Air Astra Imran Asif thanked the employees and the government regulators for their outstanding support driving the airline's growth. To close the event, an acoustic live performance of the classic song "Abaar Elo Je Shondha" by Shuvo (from D Rockstar) had everyone present singing to celebrate the occasion.    

The United States (US) has said the USDA and USTR secured commitments from Bangladesh and Indonesia that will support future US cotton purchases and textile production using American cotton. Bangladesh will receive a tariff reduction on apparel produced using US cotton and textile inputs, complementing additional tariff elimination wins, an official told UNB referring to the Great American Cotton Plan. US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has recently announced the Great American Cotton Plan, a comprehensive USDA initiative to strengthen the cotton farm economy, restore domestic textile manufacturing, expand cotton trade opportunities, and increase demand for products made with American-grown cotton. The United States Trade Representative's Office (USTR), with the support of US Department of Agriculture (USDA), has scored several ‘tangible wins’ for US cotton producers under the agreements on Reciprocal Trade. Indonesia agreed to support and facilitate commercial arrangements to import at least 163,000 metric tons of US cotton annually for 5 years and then maintain a minimum level of imports of at least 150,000 metric tons. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen has recently said the agreement on Reciprocal Trade, also known as the ART, is a joint investment in both American and Bangladeshi prosperity. “This agreement allows for a modern, balanced trade and investment partnership.” The ART includes numerous provisions that will benefit most of the people in this room, he said. “It preserves Bangladesh’s access to the U.S. market with competitive 19 percent tariffs, down from 37 percent without the agreement, while supporting a level playing field where businesses and workers in both our economies can prosper and thrive,” he said. “Since 1607, cotton has helped build and sustain rural America. Our farmers grow some of the highest-quality cotton in the world, but over the last several years America’s cotton growers have been crushed by rising costs, unfair foreign competition, and a flood of cheap synthetic products. In 2023, we lost our status as the world's top cotton exporter to Brazil. This change starts today,” said Secretary Rollins. The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring American cotton once again becomes the fiber of choice with the Great American Cotton Plan - a bold effort to restore profitability for cotton producers, strengthen rural economies, rebuild domestic textile manufacturing, and bring American cotton back into the products families use every day, Secretary Rollins said. “Supporting natural fibers like cotton also aligns with the Make America Healthy Again agenda as Americans grow increasingly concerned about microplastics and synthetic materials in everyday products. Cotton is natural, breathable, biodegradable, and proudly grown by American farmers - not manufactured from petroleum-based plastics that can shed microplastics into our soil, water, and bodies.” The announcement came as cotton producers face a fifth consecutive year of negative returns driven by rising input costs, trade distortions, and increasing competition from synthetic materials, according to the USDA. As part of the plan, USDA will elevate the “Plant Not Plastic” initiative to encourage consumers to purchase products made with healthy natural American cotton fibers rather than synthetic plastic-based alternatives. Cotton remains one of the most economically significant crops in the United States, supporting producers and rural communities. USDA estimates every $1 generated at the cotton farm gate creates approximately $15 in direct economic activity across related industries. However, the cotton industry continues facing severe economic pressure. USDA forecasts producers could lose approximately $2.6 billion across 9 million planted acres during the upcoming crop year. Since 1980, the number of U.S. cotton gins has declined from 2,254 to 446, while domestic textile production facilities have sharply contracted over the last two decades. At the same time, nearly 70 percent of the world’s textile fibers are now synthetic, most of them plastic-based materials such as polyester. The Great American Cotton Plan addresses the challenges through four key pillars - promoting domestic cotton consumption; providing affordable cotton by increasing domestic demand and production; improving cotton trade; and protecting cotton growers from adverse risk.   

Diplomatic efforts have intensified in the final stretch ahead of the election to the Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with geopolitical considerations continuing to influence voting calculations among member states, officials say. Last-minute lobbying by both Bangladesh and Cyprus remains crucial as countries weigh a range of strategic, political and geopolitical considerations, alongside prior commitments, before casting their votes, officials and diplomatic sources told UNB. “While Bangladesh's candidate, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, is widely viewed as a very strong contender, the outcome will ultimately depend on how competing geopolitical interests align in the closing stages of the campaign, making the final moments before the vote particularly significant,” a diplomat said. Bangladesh enjoys strong backing from a significant number of member states but faced a challenge due to the limited time available for campaigning. One of the key challenges is that Cyprus has been campaigning throughout the year, whereas Bangladesh has had hardly three months, or even less, to campaign, a senior official told UNB. “We are trying. Let’s see.” Despite strong optimism surrounding the bid, he said it is a secret ballot and nothing can be said with certainty at this moment, as countries concerned only know. Bangladesh last held the prestigious position in 1986-87, when the then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly. Four decades later, the country is seeking to reclaim the post. The 81st session of the UNGA will open on September 8, 2026, with the high-level General Debate commencing on September 22. The election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the eighty-first session will be held on June 2 at 10am in the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters, in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the eighty-first session of the General Assembly will be elected from the Asia-Pacific Group. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur left Dhaka for New York ahead of Eid-ul-Adha as part of his last-minute campaign, a senior official told UNB. Attention is now focused on the June 2 election, where Bangladesh and Cyprus are competing for the influential post. Ambassador Andreas S. Kakouris, Cyprus' candidate for the UNGA Presidency, brings over four decades of diplomatic and administrative experience in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, as well as at headquarters. The position changes every year and rotates among the five regional groups of the UN (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others). The President is elected directly by the member states in the UNGA, with each country having one vote. Questions continue to surround what Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur’s role would look like if he is elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Those who follow foreign affairs have been informally discussing whether Dr Khalilur would step down from his current responsibilities as Bangladesh's Foreign Minister to serve full-time at the UN, or attempt to carry out both roles simultaneously. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur, however, made it clear during the informal interactive dialogue at the UN on May 13 that resignation is not the only option. Civil society organizations and individuals were invited to engage in the informal interactive dialogue by submitting questions to the candidates. “Will I resign? No, my Prime Minister (Tarique Rahman) has told me very clearly that he's going to let me off for one year to do a full-time job. Resignation is not the only option. I can get a leave,” said Dr Khalilur while responding to a question during the informal dialogue. There have been instances in the past where foreign ministers simultaneously served as President of the United Nations General Assembly while retaining their ministerial portfolios. For example, Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives concurrently served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs while serving as President of the 76th session of the UNGA in 2021. However, it remains unclear whether Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur would follow a similar arrangement if elected President of the 81st Session of the UNGA. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury of Bangladesh, who was elected President of the 41st session of the General Assembly, had been serving as his country's Foreign Minister since July 3, 1985. Choudhury headed Bangladesh's delegation to the 39th session of the General Assembly and, as one of the session's vice presidents, presided over a number of plenary meetings. From July 1984 until his appointment as Foreign Minister, Choudhury, a career diplomat, served as Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the President of Bangladesh. In May 1986, he was elected a member of the Bangladesh Parliament. If elected, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur would become one of the most prominent international voices representing the 193-member UN body, giving Bangladesh an unprecedented opportunity to shape discussions on peace, sustainable development, climate action, and global governance. The outcome remains uncertain, keeping diplomats and international observers closely watching the race. Amid the speculation, Dr Khalilur recently pledged that, if elected, he would serve as a "full-time President" and work as "a President for everyone," underscoring his commitment to the role and the broader UN membership. The Foreign Minister vowed to serve as a "full-time President" and a President for everyone if elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). "If elected, I will be everyone's President, a full-time President," he said while participating in the informal interactive dialogue as part of the election process for the presidency of the 81st session of the UNGA. Dr Khalilur said he would unfailingly uphold the UN Charter and engage all member states, paying particular attention to small delegations. "I am able, willing, and ready to serve as your President from day one," he said.

Bangladesh has highlighted migration as a powerful adaptation strategy in addressing climate-induced displacement, underscoring the need for strengthening international cooperation on resilience and human dignity. Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva Nahida Sobhan has met Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope and discussed the nexus between climate change, migration and sustainable development. Climate-induced displacement is one of the key drivers of human mobility in climate-vulnerable countries.  Ambassador Nahida Sobhan congratulated DG Pope on the successful completion of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) and the publication of the World Migration Report 2026, said the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva on Saturday.  She expressed hope that these initiatives will help harness migration as a catalyst for sustainable development, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and climate-vulnerable nations. Nahida Sobhan also mentioned that Bangladesh stands ready to contribute to the World Migration Report. The meeting also explored ways in which IOM can further support the well-being and resilience of Rohingyas (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals) and the host communities in Bangladesh.  

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Sunday said the Rohingya response enters a fragile phase, marked by declining funding and worsening camp conditions. Sustained international engagement and funding remain critical to bolster Bangladesh’s response, to ensure that the Rohingyas and their host communities are not abandoned, and for Rohingyas to live in safety and dignity until their voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar, UNHCR said. UN and its humanitarian partners called for renewed international support, as they presented the 2026 update of the Joint Response Plan (JRP) recently for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. The hyper-prioritised plan appeals for USD 710.5 million, to reach up to 1.56 million people, including refugees and Bangladeshi host communities. The appeal - a 26% reduction from the 2025 JRP - covers only the minimum required to sustain lifesaving assistance. Mid-way through the year, generous support from the international community has led the appeal to be already 60% funded. “As the Rohingya response enters a fragile phase — marked by declining funding, worsening camp conditions, rising protection risks, and continued instability in Myanmar — Finland’s stepped up commitment shows great generosity,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. “It reaffirms our collective responsibility to protect Rohingya families and help them thrive, until conditions in Myanmar allow for voluntary, dignified and safe return to their homeland.” Finland stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and with the Rohingya people and almost a decade into displacement, the Rohingya people still await a chance to rebuild their lives, said Mari Ahmed, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi. “In addition to basic assistance, we must invest in a better future for the Rohingya -- including support for skills and resilience-building, inclusion of those most vulnerable, and ensuring that their plight does not fade from global attention.” UNHCR announced a EUR 2 million contribution from the Government of Finland to sustain life-saving assistance and protection for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. With this increased contribution, Finland enables UNHCR to fill critical gaps, including in underfunded areas such as skills development and resilience programming. Nearly a decade after fleeing targeted violence and persecution in Myanmar, 1.3 million stateless Rohingya continue to reside in Bangladesh. With limited livelihood opportunities, Rohingya in Bangladesh remain largely dependent on aid: In 2025, only 23% of refugee households earned income through cash-for-work, the only formal livelihood activity permitted. 42% had access to temporary and unstable income sources, while 35% had no income source at all and relied fully on assistance. As funding falls, the most vulnerable bear the brunt: women and girls, persons with disabilities, older people, and some 150,000 new arrivals since early 2024, who are still without shelters due to lack of space in the already very congested camps. Finland’s contribution comes as the Finland has been a longstanding supporter of humanitarian action and multilateral efforts to protect forcibly displaced people worldwide. Finland also supports UNHCR in 2026 with EUR 7 million in flexible core funding. Unearmarked core funding allows UNHCR to respond immediately to sudden emergencies and sustain operations in neglected conflicts.