United News of Bangladesh

A long first-time meeting was held between Prof Muhammad Yunus and newly elected Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire in his office in the gorgeous historic Paris building at the center of the city on May 29. Grégoire was interested to take the lead in creating a social business day in Paris and taking that to cities in other countries in the world to make it a global day. Prof Yunus and Grégoire, who became mayor at the end of March, discussed a wide range of social businesses in France, particularly in Paris. They spoke about the role that France and Paris have played in the global social business movement, including the special role played by his predecessor, two-time mayor Anne Hidalgo, in establishing Les Canaux by converting a historical building in an important location ofParis into a house for social business and social innovation at the heart of the city. “The Maison des Canaux” was inaugurated by Prof Yunus in 2017 in the presence of the Mayor of Paris and the minister of social economy. Prof Yunus and Mayor Grégoire talked about building a world of three zeroes and the role of young people creating three zero clubs, said the Yunus Centre on Saturday. There are now nearly 7,000 Three Zero Clubs in the world to address the most pressing problems facing humanity today. The three zeroes are zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment. Prof. Yunus talked about the Giving Pledge already created by 250 of the world’s billionaires.  

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will honour six Bangladeshi peacekeepers among 68 in total posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 5. The Bangladeshi fallen peacekeepers are Md Jahangir Alam, Md Sobuj Mia, Md Masud Rana, Md Mominul Islam, Shamim Reza and Santo Mondol. They were all killed in a drone strike on 13 December 2025 while serving in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Bangladesh is the fourth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, an official told UNB. It currently deploys more than 4,000 military and police personnel, including 277 women, to the UN operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Libya, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was observed around the world on Friday to pay tribute to all women and men serving in UN peacekeeping, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. The UN Headquarters will, however, observe the day on June 5. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to 68 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, including 59 who perished last year. Today, more than 50,000 civilian, military and police peacekeepers serve under the UN flag in some of the world’s most complex environments, where conflicts are increasingly fragmented, protracted, and shaped by emerging threats, including the misuse of digital tools and the spread of harmful information. A total of 118 countries currently contribute uniformed personnel to 11 peacekeeping missions. The General Assembly established the day back in 2002 and selected May 29 as it was the day in 1948 when the Security Council established the first UN Peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Middle East. This year’s theme for the Day is “Invest in Peace.” At a time when UN Peacekeeping operations face reduced resources, the theme underscores that peacekeeping remains one of the most effective tools the international community has to respond to conflict, supporting political solutions, preventing escalation, protecting civilians, monitoring ceasefires, enabling humanitarian assistance, clearing landmines, and more. In his message, António Guterres said: “On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work." "We pay tribute to nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year. No one should die serving the cause of peace. Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times,” he said. The Secretary-General also said “in an era of rising tensions”, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope. “But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support.” During a special ceremony, the Secretary-General will also award the “Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage” to Corporal Matias Reyes of Uruguay for his actions in Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo during the height of the crisis in early 2025, and to the late Sergii Prykodko of Ukraine who served as a private contractor in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and was killed during a mission to extract besieged soldiers in March last year. The Secretary-General will also present awards to the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Major Abhilasha Barak of India, who serves in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and to the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year, Stephanie Königs of Germany, who served in UNMISS. “At a time of rising conflict and shrinking resources, United Nations peacekeepers continue to protect civilians, prevent violence from escalating, and keep hope alive in some of the world’s most difficult environments. Investing in peacekeeping means investing in stability, prevention and the possibility of peace itself,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.

India on Saturday remembered Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and his famous radio address of March 1971, describing him as one of the bravest sons of the nation. The neighbouring country said former President Ziaur Rahman’s radio address electrified the masses, inspired them on a path of resistance against oppression and led to national liberation. "As the people of Bangladesh gather today in memory of one of their nation’s bravest sons – Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam – we recall his famous radio address of March 1971, which electrified the masses, inspired them on a path of resistance against oppression and led to national liberation," said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in a message. Today, as then, India said it stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh in a saga of shared sacrifices and a common journey towards progress and prosperity of peoples of both countries. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman earlier paid tribute to party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of his 45th death anniversary. Tarique Rahman first laid a wreath at Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in his capacity as Prime Minister. He later placed another wreath as BNP Chairman, accompanied by members of the party’s Standing Committee, including Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Prof AZM Zahid Hossain.

Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and French Minister for Equality between Women and Men and for the Fight against Discriminations Aurore Bergé headlined a dynamic public dialogue on May 28 at the Crédit Agricole Fédération auditorium in Paris.  The dialogue was organized by Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation (GCAF).  Moderated by Véronique Faujour, General Secretary of the Crédit Group, an open forum that drew 150 leaders from the financial inclusion sectors and gender equality sectors. Minister Bergé—a top ally of President Macron and a champion of anti-discrimination and female economic parity—praised the foundation’s impact, which channels over 85% of its global loans to women.  Bergé said that discrimination and inequality in France and globally are acute and presents a big challenge so the empowerment of youth especially of women is needed more than ever.

Marking the International Day of Peacekeepers, the United Nations (UN) on Friday honoured over 50,000 peacekeepers worldwide, including over 4,000 from Bangladesh. The UN also paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service of peace.  "Their work underscores the urgency of investing in peace," said UN office in Bangladesh. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, marked every year on May 29, is an opportunity to honour peacekeepers for their service and sacrifice. These women and men face real risks in the line of duty, and their safety and security remain a top priority.  The UN continues to strengthen protective measures to mitigate threats and enable them to carry out their mandates safely. In a message, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, said, "Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives." Far from home, in some of the world’s most dangerous settings, they deescalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow, he said. "On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work. We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year," Guterres said.  He said no one should die serving the cause of peace. "Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times." In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope, said the UN Chief. "But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support." This year’s theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates. "An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future. Let us always support the people who help make peace possible," Guterres said. To mark the International Day at UN Headquarters, the UN Secretary-General will lay a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial in honour of fallen peacekeepers on Thursday (June 5).

Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, concurrently accredited to the Holy See, has highlighted Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to communal harmony and peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths and communities. She appreciated the Holy See’s continued advocacy for global peace, actions against climate change and humanitarian causes, including its support for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, and encouraged continued efforts in promoting peace, justice, and the humane treatment of migrants and vulnerable populations worldwide. The Ambassador recently presented her Letters of Credence to Pope Leo XIV as the first female Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Holy See at a solemn ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace, Secretariat of State at the Vatican City this week. The ceremony was conducted with due ceremonial and protocol courtesies extended by the Holy See. Ambassador Sobhan earlier made history by serving as the ambassador to Jordan, the first female envoy of Bangladesh in the Middle East, said the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva.

Bangladesh and Belgium have discussed the way forward to capitalise on the momentum created by the meeting at the political level for mutual benefit of the two countries. Bangladesh Ambassador Masudul Alam on May 26 met William Asselborn, Director of Asia and Oceania of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the latter's office where they discussed issues of mutual interest.  The relationship between Bangladesh and Belgium has been deepening syeadily and surely, said the Bangladesh Mission.  The recent visit of Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to Belgium and his meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium added "new momentum" to this very important relationship, said the officials.  The European Union EU hosts the largest research platform of the world.  Bangladesh Ambassador Alam held a fruitful discussions with DG (Research & Innovation) of the EU Marc Lemaître at the latter’s office to deepen research partnership of Bangladesh with the EU.

A delegation of 20 young leaders from BNP, comprising youth, women, and student representatives, is set to visit China from June 4 to 14 as part of a study and exchange programme. The delegation, at the invitation of the Chinese government, will visit Chongqing and Shanghai to observe China’s practices and achievements, including the development of new quality productive forces, high-quality development, high-level opening up, rural revitalization, and grassroots governance. Local leaders, scholars, and experts from renowned think tanks will meet the Bangladeshi delegation of young leaders from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal. A formal invitation was sent by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on May 14, a political source told UNB. The delegation members are Md Minhazul Islam Bhuiya, Khandaker Enamul Haque, Sharif Uddin, Galib Hasan Pritom, Arafat Billah Khan, Mehedi Hasan Jewel, Shyamal Malum, Zahirul Islam, ABM Ejazul Kabir Ruel, and Md Manjurul Alam. Other members include Abidul Islam Khan, Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim, Abdur Rashid, Aiyubur Rahman, Shraboni Akter, Naoshin Nahar, Selima Binte Tarin, Tanzila Hossain, Rabeya Tashin Mou, and Jannatul Nowreen Urmi. “In the past three months since the new government took office, Bangladesh and China have continued their long-standing friendship and deepened cooperation across various sectors,” Ambassador Yao Wen said recently. Earlier, a high-level BNP delegation led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is also LGRD and Cooperatives Minister, visited China. The Ambassador said the Communist Party of China and the BNP enhanced institutional exchanges and deepened mutual learning on state governance during the visit. This year, China will organize 23 bilateral and 30 multilateral training programs, providing training opportunities for nearly 600 Bangladeshi participants. The programmes will cover a wide range of sectors, including telecommunications and information technology, renewable energy, cross-border e-commerce, road transportation, agriculture, tourism, and education.

Bangladesh will import more than 500 thousand tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) fertiliser in the fiscal year 2026-27 from Russia.  Russia's Prodintorg and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) signed an agreement recently to import more than 500 thousand tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) fertiliser in FY2026-27. On behalf of Russia, Ambassador Alexandr Khozin and representatives of Ministry of Agriculture and Prodintorg were present at the signing ceremony.  From Bangladeshi side, the event was attended by the Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed, along with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and BADC.  As part of previous arrangements with Prodintorg, BADC has been importing MOP fertiliser from Russia for several years. This is the major agreement in the history of Bangladesh-Russia bilateral intergovernmental cooperation in the field of fertilisers, said the Russian Embassy in Dhaka. 

Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has paid floral tribute to poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the occasion of his 127th birth anniversary.  He said the poems of Kazi Nazrul Islam will remain etched in the collective memory of both Bangladesh and India.  The envoy made the remarks while inaugurating the High Commission of India (HCI) Library at the Indian Cultural Centre, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka on Monday. The High Commissioner expressed hope that the HCI Library would continue to serve as a welcoming space for all who believe in the enduring power of books and ideas. The HCI Library, one of the oldest libraries in independent Bangladesh, has long served as a window for the dissemination of knowledge and information on Indian art, culture, economy, literature, history, politics, and other fields, said the High Commission on Tuesday.  The newly opened HCI library houses a rich collection of books in English, Hindi, and Bengali. The library will remain open to members from Sunday to Thursday, between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM.  Bharat Bichitra (monthly magazine), published by HCI Dhaka, will also be available to library members. The event ended with a cultural performance featuring musical renditions of Nazrul songs by Bangladeshi singer Avijit Kundu. The High Commissioner has already left Dhaka for Brussels to take up his new assignment, a diplomatic source told UNB on Tuesday. Pranay Verma, who has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, said Bangladesh will remain one of their most cherished postings because of the warm affection and friendship they received here. India has appointed Dinesh Trivedi as the next High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the appointment recently, noting that he is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Pranay Verma, who previously served as India’s Ambassador to Vietnam, arrived in Dhaka on September 21, 2022. Trivedi served as Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the UPA regime as a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He resigned from the TMC on February 12, 2021, and joined the BJP on March 6, 2021.