United News of Bangladesh

The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) has announced the formation of an international advisory board comprising five global figures. The board includes former Serbian President Boris Tadić, former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara, Dr Clay G Wescott, Dr Erin Watson and Dr Tanyel Bedia Taysi. Tadić, who served as Serbia’s president from 2004 to 2012, brings experience in political leadership, diplomacy and European integration. Mara, a board member of Club de Madrid, specialises in democratic governance, institutional reform and public accountability. Wescott, president of the US-based International Public Management Network, is an expert in public administration, governance reform and anti-corruption initiatives. Watson, managing director of Baker & York, is an Australian international affairs expert specialising in diplomacy, public policy and strategic advisory. Taysi is a political scientist and international development professional with experience in democratic governance, human rights and gender equality. CGS President Zillur Rahman said the inclusion of the international figures marked an important step towards strengthening the organisation’s global engagement. “Their diverse expertise and perspectives will enrich our research, deepen international collaboration, and reinforce our commitment to promoting democratic governance, accountability, and evidence-based policymaking in Bangladesh and beyond,” he said. The advisory board will provide strategic guidance, contribute to CGS’s research and policy initiatives, and facilitate greater collaboration with international institutions and policy communities.

Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan have stressed strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, education and skills development, and employment opportunities, including labour mobility. The issues were discussed at three separate meetings held on October 14 in Bishkek between Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam and the respective ministers and officials of Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). At a meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Meder Tumanov, the two sides discussed ways to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. They explored complementarities between the two countries in cotton production, textiles and the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, as well as their comparative advantages, market potential in Eurasia and opportunities for partnership in the pharmaceutical sector. Both sides emphasised enhancing private-sector engagement, exchanging business delegations, participating in exhibitions and utilising the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facilities for wider access to Eurasian and European Union markets. At a separate meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration Arlen Aliyasov, the foreign secretary discussed employment opportunities and the mobility of Bangladeshi workers. Given the extensive development activities undertaken in Kyrgyzstan in recent years, the country plans to recruit more workers from abroad in sectors such as construction, textiles, pharmaceuticals, digital services, agriculture and teaching. The two sides also discussed strengthening government-to-government (G2G) cooperation and signing an MoU between the relevant government authorities of the two countries. The Kyrgyz labour minister expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday. He attended a gala dinner hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at Gulustan Palace on Wednesday evening. During the dinner, he met and exchanged greetings with heads of state and government and ministers.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in capacity-building programmes for civil servants and e-governance. The issues came up when Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider called on Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday. During the meeting, the high commissioner also briefed the adviser on the progress of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including education, trade and information and communication technology (ICT).

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday emphasised the need to strengthen Bangladesh’s partnership with China in ways that go beyond large-scale infrastructure projects to empower people, strengthen small businesses, develop skills, and advance green and sustainable development. “I assure you that the government of Bangladesh looks forward to the next decade of Bangladesh-China friendship in a way that has never been seen before - a decade of unabated cooperation in industrial growth and inclusive prosperity,” she said. The State Minister made the remarks while speaking at a function celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, hosted by the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) at a city hotel. Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Dhaka, Dr Liu Yuyin, and BCCCI President Mohd Khorshed Alam also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh and Kenya on Tuesday agreed to expedite pending agreements and MoUs, including those on the avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investment, cooperation in the blue economy, contract farming and other areas of mutual interest. The issues were discussed at the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Kenya, held in Dhaka in a constructive atmosphere. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Kenyan delegation was led by Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Director General (Secretary), Political and Diplomatic Affairs, at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The consultations reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and progress made since the second round of consultations held in Nairobi in July 2024.  

Bangladesh has called for a strong international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity, urging special recognition and support for countries hosting victims of such atrocities. Addressing the Sixth Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Bangladesh delegate Muhammad Nawshad Zamir proposed three key provisions for the convention: cooperation in preserving evidence and protecting witnesses in receiving States; support for survivors, including access to justice at national and international levels; and international solidarity in sharing the burden borne by host countries. Citing Bangladesh’s experience sheltering over 1 million Rohingyas forcibly displaced from Myanmar, he stressed that countries receiving victims must be integral to international accountability mechanisms, according to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York. Referring to Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, Zamir cited a UN report estimating that up to 1,400 people, including children, were killed, calling for investigations into possible crimes against humanity. Bangladesh also advocated universal jurisdiction, stronger extradition mechanisms and an end to impunity, while emphasising prevention and justice for women and children. The Bangladesh delegate urged that the convention complement the Rome Statute and uphold the International Criminal Court’s independence. “A convention diluted until it offends no one will protect no one,” he warned.

Bangladesh Air Force participated in the second edition of the Indian Air Force-hosted multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-26, held at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from September 26 to October 12. The exercise brought together air assets from eight countries - Bangladesh, India, Australia, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States - alongside 32 observer nations. The Bangladesh Air Force contingent comprised 19 personnel, including pilots and technicians, while two additional personnel participated as observers. The participation marked the first time Bangladesh took part in a multinational air exercise of this scale, providing its personnel with exposure to multinational air operations and opportunities for professional exchanges, mutual learning and enhanced interoperability with partner air forces, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in a media release.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir will visit Azerbaijan and Iraq this week as part of the government's efforts to promote peace, security and stability in Asia and beyond. He will participate in a high-level meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Baku. The CICA is a multinational forum for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia. “I am going to Azerbaijan. I will be there from October 15 to 16,” Kobir told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. The 7th Summit of the CICA will be held on October 15, a senior official told UNB, adding that the state minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 2:00am on Wednesday. CICA Chairmanship of Azerbaijan will host the Summit with the support of the CICA Secretariat. Heads of state or government, delegates from CICA member states, observer states, observer and partner organisations will participate in the event. The 7th CICA Summit will bring together regional leaders to reaffirm their shared commitment to dialogue, mutual trust and constructive cooperation. The event provides a vital platform for strengthening confidence-building measures, promoting peace, security, stability and sustainable development, as well as advancing multilateral approaches to addressing issues of common interest. Highlighting the strategic importance of the visit, Kobir said Bangladesh now needs to develop greater engagement with Central Asia, describing the region as a new space and dimension for the country’s foreign policy outreach. “Central Asia is a new space and dimension from the foreign policy projection point of view, and we are building engagement there,” he said. The state minister said Bangladesh sees considerable scope for expanding political, economic and strategic engagement with the Central Asian countries as Dhaka seeks to diversify its external relations. Following his Azerbaijan engagement, Kobir said he will travel to Baghdad, Iraq, to attend a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on October 17. He will also deliver a statement on behalf of Bangladesh at the OIC meeting. The state minister said Bangladesh attaches importance to the Baghdad gathering at a time when significant geopolitical changes are taking place across the Middle East. Referring to Iraq’s transformation after decades of conflict and instability, he said a new horizon for development and international engagement is emerging in the country. “Baghdad is an interesting place to be at this time. After going through turbulent times over the last 20 years, a new space of opportunity and engagement has opened up,” Kobir said. He said Bangladesh will explore possibilities for further engagement with Iraq as well as the wider region as countries affected by prolonged instability gradually enter a new phase. The state minister underscored Bangladesh’s strong interest in peace and stability in the Middle East, noting that the region is home to a huge number of Bangladeshi expatriate workers. “Peace and stability in the Middle East are of interest to Bangladesh. We have nearly eight million workers there and a very large workforce,” he said. Their safety, welfare and well-being remain among the government’s highest priorities, particularly amid conflicts and security threats in different parts of the region, Kobir added. He said instability in the Middle East could have implications not only for Bangladeshi expatriates but also for the country’s economic and energy interests. The state minister said numerous diplomatic and informal channels are currently engaged in efforts to find peaceful solutions to regional conflicts. “Many stakeholders are formally and diplomatically engaged to bring about a peaceful resolution. There are also informal and back-channel discussions,” he said. Kobir said Bangladesh, with its long-standing experience and internationally recognised role in UN peacekeeping, will positively consider any proposal to contribute to safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East. “We will always positively consider any proposal that comes to Bangladesh to participate in safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond,” he said.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ambassador MJH Jabed, met his newly appointed Saudi counterpart, Ambassador Khalid Bin Ismaeel Bin Badawi Bin Hussain Al Sharif, in Jeddah on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming 52nd meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Baghdad. Jabed expressed Bangladesh's full solidarity with brotherly Saudi Arabia in the face of recent Houthi attacks on different civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, which led to the loss of innocent lives, including the deaths of two Bangladeshi nationals. The permanent representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the OIC deeply appreciated the people and government of Bangladesh for standing beside them when their country was facing attacks from the Houthis in breach of international law, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.