United News of Bangladesh

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Tuesday said climate action is a central pillar of their joint efforts to support Bangladesh’s long-term prosperity, stressing that the country is on the frontline of climate change. “For Bangladesh, climate change is not a future challenge to be managed at some later point; it is a reality. That is why climate action is a central pillar of our work together—to support Bangladesh’s long-term prosperity, economic resilience and energy security,” said the High Commissioner. Speaking at “DCAB Talk,” the High Commissioner said their climate cooperation focuses on strengthening resilience, protecting communities and supporting sustainable growth. The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the “DCAB Talk” at the Jatiya Press Club. “I have seen this partnership first-hand including in the Sundarbans, where UK support is helping communities adapt to climate impacts while safeguarding one of the world’s most important ecosystems,” she said. The High Commissioner said they are also working together to strengthen preparedness. Through the Bangladesh-UK hydrometeorological partnership, UK Met Office expertise is supporting improved flood forecasting and early warning systems. “Better data and earlier warnings save lives and reduce losses. But public policy and technical expertise alone are not enough. Mobilising finance at scale is essential,” said the British envoy. That is why, she added, climate finance is a core focus of their engagement in Bangladesh, including work with the government and the private sector to unlock blended finance and private capital, and to move from pilots to scale. Bangladesh also plays an important role globally, and its voice has helped shape international debate. “The UK is proud to work alongside Bangladesh through the UN COP process to ensure climate-vulnerable countries are heard and acted upon,” said the British envoy, noting that climate resilience and economic progress also depend on security and stability across the wider region. Defence & Security Cooperation As Bangladesh’s role in regional affairs has grown, so too has the importance of defence and security cooperation between the two countries, said High Commissioner Cooke. She said Bangladesh is a significant contributor to regional stability, maritime security and United Nations peacekeeping. The UK recognises its important responsibilities in the Bay of Bengal—a region of increasing strategic importance for global trade and energy routes, the High Commissioner said. “That is why I’m delighted about the recent government-to-government agreement for the transfer of the former HMS Enterprise, a UK-built hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel,” she said, adding that Enterprise will enhance Bangladesh’s ability to conduct hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, strengthen navigational safety, and support marine resource management across the Bay of Bengal. The envoy said the vessel will also provide opportunities for scientific research and collaboration with Bangladeshi universities and research institutions, contributing to Bangladesh’s wider blue economy ambitions. “More broadly, the Enterprise agreement underscores the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s military modernisation that is capability-driven and aligned with regional stability,” she said. Alongside equipment cooperation, the UK continues to support Bangladesh through military training to help shape its future military leaders. Rohingya Crisis “In the broader context of regional stability, another important element of our partnership is our cooperation on the Rohingya humanitarian crisis,” said the High Commissioner. The United Kingdom continues to stand firmly with Bangladesh in responding to the needs of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, recognising the extraordinary generosity of Bangladesh and its host communities. Since 2017, the UK has provided over £458 million in humanitarian support to deliver life-saving assistance, protect the most vulnerable and support host communities. “At the same time, in the context of declining global aid, we are increasingly focused on supporting greater self-reliance and skills development,” said the High Commissioner. “So, when the conditions are right for them to return home, they are equipped to do so. The UK continues to work to keep the Rohingya crisis on the global agenda, including through the United Nations Security Council,” she said. The High Commissioner said they are working to support greater responsibility-sharing and pressing for a long-term political solution, in close coordination with the Government of Bangladesh and international partners. Tackling Visa Abuse Working together to tackle illegal migration is another priority area of close cooperation between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, she said. “We recognise the positive contribution that lawful migration makes to our society, while being clear about the serious harm caused by those who exploit vulnerability for personal gain,” said the High Commissioner. Unscrupulous visa agents who mislead and deceive Bangladeshi citizens undermine confidence in migration systems and expose individuals to serious financial and personal risks, she said. “That is why the UK is working closely with the government of Bangladesh to tackle visa abuse and visa fraud, and to return those who have no right to reside in the UK,” the envoy said. She said they want to ensure that movement between the two countries is safe, legal and fair. “We are very grateful to the government for the close cooperation in this area.” DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke at the event, where the High Commissioner described the relationship between Bangladesh and the UK as “modern and strategic.”

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Tuesday said instability in the Middle East continues to reverberate far beyond the region, shaping global energy markets, disrupting shipping routes and driving price volatility that affects households and industries from London to Dhaka.  “Today, the international system is under acute strain,” she said, noting that foreign policy must deliver security and prosperity at home, while upholding the rules-based international system.  That formulation may sound familiar, but the world in which it must be delivered has changed profoundly, the High Commissioner said at “DCAB Talk” hosted by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club. Education cornerstone of Bangladesh-UK partnership: Sarah Cooke DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke at the event where the High Commissioner described the relationship between Bangladesh and the UK as ‘modern and strategic.’

Chief observer of European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Ivars Ijabs on Tuesday identified six priority recommendations for Bangladesh, noting that more efforts are needed to foster accountability and electoral inclusion. “Now, it is time to turn the focus to the reform process to strengthen transparency and rule of law, to show political will in promoting women in public and political life and to foster an environment for a pluralistic and secure public debate, both online and offline,” Ijabs said at a press briefing at a city hotel in the afternoon. Women candidates were almost absent from these elections, signaling a lack of political will to promote women in decision making positions, said the Mission. Ijabs said the European Union stands ready to support Bangladesh in those efforts, in line with the recently initialled Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and reaffirming their unwavering commitment to democratic principles. "In this spirit, we offer our final report, and its 19 recommendations with the hope of contributing positively to future elections in Bangladesh," he told reporters, noting that the work of improving and refining electoral process remains an essential ongoing exercise in any country also here in Bangladesh. The chief observer said they are looking forward to discussing these recommendations with the national stakeholders, as it is essential to continue an inclusive dialogue in the next steps, to strengthen democracy, and uphold the rule of law, and build public trust. “These credible and competently managed elections marked a pivotal step toward restoring democratic governance and the rule of law, reflecting a shared commitment to democratic processes among all stakeholders," Ijabs said. Although elections bolstered public trust, legal and procedural gaps remain, signaling the need to continue the reform process in line with the July National Charter and beyond, he said, adding that the European Union stands ready to support national partners in implementing these recommendations. "The work of our mission is now finished, but let me assure you that the European Union Delegation here remains committed to working with Bangladeshi partners on the democratic processes," said the chief observer. Six Priority Recommendations The EU EOM has put forward six priority recommendations and those include a comprehensive revision of electoral legal framework, introduction of robust campaign financing rules and oversight, introduction of affirmative action to enhance women participation in public and political right, as well as wide-ranging reforms to promote a safe digital environment. The mission also recommended the EC take steps to ensure transparency throughout all stages of the vote tabulation and to consider extending eligibility for postal voting to other categories of voters. The report called for revising the legal framework governing parliamentary elections to address inconsistencies and loopholes, reduce fragmentation, strengthen legal certainty, and ensure closer alignment with international standards for democratic elections.  Ensuring consistent arrangements for maintaining transparency during the tabulation of votes at the sub-district and district levels, such as projection of data entry on screens, as well as prompt publication of complete preliminary and final election results, including online, are among the five others priority recommendations. The report called for amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) to include strict monitoring and enforcement measures for implementation of Article 90B(1)(b)(ii), ensuring that all political parties achieve the goal of 33 per cent women as members of all internal party committees by 2030; and consider requiring that all political parties nominate at least one-third women candidates for national and local elections. The report also called for promoting a safer and more transparent digital space by amending the Cyber Security Ordinance to establish binding legal obligations for social media platforms, aimed at safeguarding informational and electoral integrity. Those obligations may encompass defined collaboration protocols, special measures around elections, algorithmic transparency, and regular reporting on content moderation activities. In its fifth priority recommendation, the report called for reviewing and strengthening campaign finance provisions to ensure that spending limits and reporting obligations are realistic, enforceable and subject to effective verification and oversight. The RPO could require candidates and political parties to submit audited election expenditure accounts in a standardised format, provide for systematic controls by the Election Commission during and after the campaign, and set clear deadlines for the publication of financial reports. The report recommended considering extending eligibility for postal voting to other categories of voters in Bangladesh who are unable to cast their ballot in person on election day, such as homebound voters and persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, migrant labourers and students, while retaining existing integrity safeguards and exploring additional ones. Additional voting arrangements, such as early voting, suitable for enfranchising other categories of voters could also be introduced. The report is based on a two-month-long, country-wide observation and offers a detailed analysis and assessment of the entire electoral process. As part of this report, the mission offered 19 recommendations aimed at reinforcing the integrity of future electoral processes, in line with Bangladesh’s international commitments to democratic elections. The mission noted several positive developments, attesting to the resilience of Bangladesh’s democracy. The renewed legal framework was largely aligned with international standards for democratic elections, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) worked professionally, demonstrated openness and successfully enfranchised some 770,000 voters living abroad. The Electoral Enquiry and Adjudication Committees were pro-active in upholding the campaign rules. The mission also saw a revitalised civic space and took note of important national initiatives to counter disinformation. The inconsistent enforcement of the EC’s campaign regulations and limited accountability and oversight in campaign finance laws contributed to an uneven playing field, the EU team said. Incidents of digital-led violence and harassment alongside inadequate police protection curbed media freedom and social media platforms appeared ill-prepared to safeguard digital information integrity. The EU EOM was present in Bangladesh between 28 December 2025 to 4 March 2026, at full strength comprising 223 international observers from all EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland, deployed to all 64 administrative districts of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has called for enhanced global efforts to ensure information integrity, combat misinformation and promote inclusive communication at the 48th session of the Committee on Information at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Addressing the general debate of the committee that takes place annually at the UN headquarters and deals with global communication, public information, and outreach efforts, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury on Monday highlighted the growing challenges posed by misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and the misuse of artificial intelligence and digital platforms, which are fueling divisions and eroding trust acrosssocieties. He stressed the need for responsible use of information and communication technologies as well as for bridging the digital divide both between and within countries. Highlighting Bangladesh’s contributions to UN peacekeeping including the deployment of women peacekeepers, the Permanent Representative called for continued efforts to counter anti-peacekeeping narratives and to promote accountability and environmental responsibility. Ambassador Chowdhury also drew attention to disinformation-driven crises, including the Rohingya situation in Myanmar and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for accurate information dissemination and increased global awareness. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to strengthening global communication efforts in line with the principles and values of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has extended an invitation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King and the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to visit Bangladesh at their convenience. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Monday met the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng. Waleed Abdulkareem El Khureiji in Riyadh and conveyed the invitation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Adviser Kobir, as a special envoy of the Prime Minister, handed over a message of solidarity from the Prime Minister addressed to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. The Adviser underscored that the government and people of Bangladesh stand firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during this critical period in the Middle East. He also expressed Bangladesh’s keen interest in further strengthening and diversifying bilateral relations by exploring new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy and energy. The Saudi Vice Minister warmly welcomed Adviser Kobir and expressed his government’s appreciation for Bangladesh’s support during this critical time in the region.

Bangladesh and France on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the mutually beneficial partnership. Both sides underscored the importance of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to enhance bilateral trade. Director for Asia and Oceania at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Benoît Guidée paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the issues. They discussed avenues for strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, supply chain, energy, space, defence, development cooperation, culture, education and skills development, migration, people-to-people exchange, and peace and security. Benoît Guidée, accompanied by David Peneau, Head of the South Asia Division, concluded a two-day official visit to Bangladesh on Monday, an official told UNB. The State Minister and the Director discussed strengthening political collaboration in both bilateral and multilateral settings, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She sought France’s support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the term 2026-2027. The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues, underscoring the importance of peace, stability, and enhanced international cooperation.

Bangladesh and Switzerland will hold the 6th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Dhaka on June 1, eyeing to boost the bilateral relations to a greater extent. Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Reto Renggli met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and discussed the issues of mutual interest. The State Minister acknowledged Switzerland’s longstanding development cooperation and its continued support for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. The discussions also covered avenues for expanding cooperation in priority areas including trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, skills development, education, culture and sports, women empowerment and people-to-people contacts, said the Ministry. The Ambassador congratulated the State Minister on her assumption of office and expressed optimism that Bangladesh-Switzerland relations would be further strengthened in the coming years.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday appreciated the European Union’s continued engagement in supporting Bangladesh’s democratic journey, including the deployment of the Election Observer Mission. She highlighted the importance of continued cooperation with international partners to further strengthen democratic institutions and processes. The issues were discussed when Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Ivars Ijabs met the State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh seeks UNDP’s help in tackling misinformation, disinformation He formally handed over a copy of the final report of the 2026 parliamentary elections, said the ministry. The chief observer is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday at a city hotel. On Sunday, he shared a final report with Bangladesh, including recommendations for improving future elections. Ivars Ijabs met Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, and presented the mission’s final report and recommendations. The final report is based on a long-term, independent observation of the electoral process across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, while the 19 recommendations offered by the EU EOM aim at reinforcing the integrity of future elections, officials told UNB. The chief observer expressed hope that those recommendations will be considered by all relevant stakeholders, including Bangladesh Parliament. He along with Head of EU Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador Michael Miller and the Speaker of the Parliament also discussed the new avenues for cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh that has opened and the support the EU is ready to offer in the implementation of these recommendations. Ivars Ijabs also discussed with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin key recommendations on Sunday. The mission’s final report and recommendations aim to contribute to improving future electoral processes and upholding the international commitments which Bangladesh has adopted. Next steps towards the implementation of these recommendations were discussed, and it was stressed that the EU stands ready to support such efforts, officials told UNB. The EU EOM has been present in Bangladesh since the end of 2025 and on election day - February 12. It is comprised of 223 international observers, drawn from all EU Member States, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland, deployed across all 64 administrative districts. The EU EOM presented the mission's preliminary statement on the February 12 parliamentary elections on February 14. The 2026 parliamentary elections were described as "credible and competently managed, marking a pivotal step" towards restoring democratic governance and rule of law. "This historic contest was genuinely competitive, with fundamental freedoms broadly respected. The electoral legal framework largely accords with international standards, while the Bangladesh Election Commission worked independently and transparently, maintaining the confidence of stakeholders and lending integrity to the polls,” said chief observer Ivars Ijabs.

India has appointed Dinesh Trivedi as the next High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced the appointment, noting that he is expected to take up the assignment shortly. The 75-year-old veteran politician and former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi will replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who will move to Brussels as the Indian Ambassador to the European Union (EU). Bangladesh-India partnership set to boost medical tourism Pranay Verma, current Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union. On April 10, the Ministry of External Affairs of India announced his appointment, noting that he will be accredited as Ambassador of India to the European Union. Pranay Verma, who served as Ambassador of India to Vietnam, arrived in Dhaka on September 21, 2022. India is sending a political appointee to the neighbourhood after a long time. Earlier, Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s National Information and Technology Department and co-incharge West Bengal congratulated Dinesh Trivedi for being appointed as India's envoy to High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Trivedi was a 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.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on Monday launched a new report calling for accelerated and coordinated investment reforms to position Bangladesh for stronger growth in the post-LDC graduation era. The “UNCTAD Investment Policy Review (IPR) Implementation Report” was unveiled at a high-level dialogue in the capital, bringing together policymakers, business leaders and development partners to assess progress and identify priorities for improving the country’s investment climate. Speaking at the event, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the report comes at a right moment for the country. "While global investment is currently slowed by geopolitical tensions, we are using this period to enhance our readiness. Our goal is to ensure that when global conditions shift, Bangladesh is in a more advantageous position to welcome investors," he said. He emphasised that BIDA’s next phase will focus on implementation, coordination, and ensuring a predictable environment for investors through a more unified state mechanism. Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, noted that strong investment policies and institutional capacity are vital for attracting "responsible and impactful" investments. She highlighted that such investments are essential for creating decent jobs, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive growth after the country’s LDC graduation. The 2026 IPR Implementation Report, prepared by UNCTAD at the request of BIDA, assesses a decade of progress following the original 2013 review. While the report noted significant strides in expanding digital investment services and establishing BIDA as the lead agency for investment facilitation, it also identified critical areas for further reform. These include the formulation of a comprehensive and integrated national investment policy, introduction of a unified investment law to streamline regulations and completing the transition to fully digital investment processes to improve ease of doing business. The event featured a video message from Nan Li Collins, Director of the Investment and Enterprise Division at UNCTAD, and a keynote presentation by Kiyoshi Adachi, Legal Officer at UNCTAD. A high-level panel discussion, moderated by UNDP Bangladesh Country Economic Advisor Owais Parray, featured insights from Sohana Rouf Chowdhury, Managing Director of Rangs Group; Dr M Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh; and Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of BUILD, among others. The dialogue was organised under the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP), implemented by UNDP Bangladesh with support from the UK government, aimed at strengthening economic governance through evidence-based reforms.