State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday described changes and the introduction of new faces in any ministry as part of an ongoing process, stressing that the government attaches importance to efficiency, qualifications, dedication, sincerity, and commitment to the country.

“If you follow the Prime Minister’s (Tarique Rahman’s) activities and his decisions in each ministry, I think he gives importance to work and efficiency. First and foremost, he values qualification,” she said.

The State Minister made the remarks while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when her attention was drawn to some decisions at her ministry, including the appointment of newly appointed Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Irene Khan, an internationally renowned human rights activist.

Shama Obaed said it is natural that there will be changes and new faces, adding that this is nothing new but part of an ongoing process.

She said it is important to see who is capable of what and how sincerely he or she wants to work for the country.

The government has granted the status of a state minister to Irene Khan and she will enjoy related facilities during her tenure.

The government has decided to appoint Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, the current Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, as the next Foreign Secretary, officials in Dhaka told UNB.

Under the proposed reshuffle, current Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is expected to be posted to New Delhi as Bangladesh's next High Commissioner to India, one of the country's most significant diplomatic assignments. He is likely to replace incumbent High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah.

The post of Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has remained vacant since March.

Besides, Mohammad Abdul Muhith, the current Rector of the Foreign Service Academy and former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, is likely to be as Bangladesh's next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, BNP Information and Technology Secretary AKM Wahiduzzaman is likely to be appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York.

The government is also likely to appoint M. Farhadul Islam, Secretary (Intergovernmental Organizations) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Bangladesh's next Ambassador to Mauritius.

On the other hand, Md Abul Hasan Mridha (Director General) has been appointed as new Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia, an official told UNB.