Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to pay a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from June 10-13 as the two countries are putting in efforts to refresh their bonds and work ever more closely together on economic, trade and investment fronts.
"This is a very important visit," acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday afternoon.
He said the Chief Adviser is scheduled to leave Dhaka for London on June 9 and will return home on June 14.
The Chief Adviser will meet King Charles and will hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the planned visit in addition to his other engagements.
Asked whether there will be any meeting with BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London, the acting Foreign Secretary referred to Chief Adviser's programmes he mentioned and he does not have any information regarding the meeting with the BNP leader.
"The relationship between Bangladesh and the UK is very deep and diverse," he said, adding that the visit will play an important role to improve the relations.
King Charles III will present the prestigious ‘Harmony Award 2025’ to Prof Yunus.
Prof Yunus seeks global backing to tackle Rohingya aid crisis
Prof Yunus has been nominated by King Charles III for the King Charles Harmony Award 2025, honouring his lifelong work to promote peace, sustainability, and harmony between people and the environment.
The award will be conferred at a formal ceremony at St James’s Palace in London on June 12. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the 2024 recipient.
He is also expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy along with other senior ministers, political leaders, and influential figures from the policy and business communities.
The acting Foreign Secretary said the visit carries special significance for several reasons.
He said the UK is a strong democratic state and they attach importance to establishing democratic values and good governance in developing countries.
Through this visit, the acting Foreign Secretary said, it will be possible to highlight the ongoing reform activities in Bangladesh, the democratic process and the commitment of the interim government to establishing good governance.
“And above all, as a Nobel laureate and a world-renowned figure, the Chief Adviser has a unique and positive image around the world. A visit to the UK by a personality like him will further enhance and consolidate Bangladesh's position in the global arena,” he said.
The agenda will also include discussions on global and regional issues, particularly climate change, sustainable development, the Rohingya crisis, and migration.
Emphasis will be placed on leveraging British expertise and resources to support Bangladesh’s national development goals.
During the visit, Professor Yunus is also expected to hold courtesy meetings with the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighting Bangladesh’s broader international engagements.
As part of his public diplomacy efforts, the Chief Adviser will deliver a special address at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, on June 11, where he will share insights into Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress, democratic transition, and future outlook.
The recovery of laundered money and assets abroad are likely to be an important issue to be discussed during the visit.
British envoy greets Prof Yunus ahead of receiving prestigious King Charles Harmony Award
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy recently said the Chief Adviser will put in his efforts (recovery of stolen money, assets abroad ) as he is going to London.
The government says the previous regime enabled the laundering of an estimated $16 billion annually.
The Chief Adviser, earlier, sought support from the British government through its envoy in Dhaka to track and get back the money laundered to the UK allegedly by the people linked to the Sheikh Hasina-led previous government.