The Embassy of France in Dhaka has hosted the ‘Strategic Orientation Council’, marking a key moment to assess the progress of French cooperation in Bangladesh and to outline a shared roadmap for future collaboration.

Jacques Bounin, in charge of Bangladesh at the General Directorate for Globalisation, Culture, Education and International Development at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared his insights at the event held recently.

Cosmos Foundation President, renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, renowned Bangladeshi cultural figure Ramendu Majumdar; Chairman of the Bengal Group Abul Khair and founder and Executive Director of Friendship NGO Runa Khan were the guest speakers.

They shared their thoughts and expectations regarding France’s cooperation with Bangladesh, said the Embassy of France on Thursday.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy delivered the opening overview, setting the tone for the discussions that followed.

Organising a strategic council is a valuable opportunity to take stock of the actions undertaken so far, reflect on future prospects and their sustainability and consider how to overcome potential challenges, said the Embassy.

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It also provides a platform to ‘outline a roadmap for French cooperation in Bangladesh’ in the coming years.

The Asia-Pacific region is a strategic priority for France.  France was the first European country to adopt an Indo-Pacific Strategy, back in 2018.