Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said future diplomats have to be well-equipped, well-prepared and well-organized during the most crucial period of Bangladesh’s journey.

He hailed the Foreign Service Academy as one of the apex training institutes of Bangladesh.

Momen said as Bangladesh has become a role model of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladeshi diplomats will have to play a more critical role in the development process in the coming days.

The certificate awarding ceremony of the 28th specialized diplomatic training course was held on January 30 at the Foreign Service Academy.

Foreign Minister Momen spoke as the chief guest of the ceremony, while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam was the guest of honour.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also attended the event.

The Special Diplomatic Training Course is yearly conducted by the Foreign Service Academy, encompassing a wide range of modules.

The 28th iteration of the course was held from March 2022 to January 2023, where 12 young officers of the 38th BCS Foreign Affairs Cadre took part.

The Rector of the Foreign Service Academy, Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams, in her welcome speech highlighted the Academy’s efforts in preparing the young diplomats with the vision of Smart Bangladesh, as the youths of today hold the key for a prosperous future.

The Inspector General of Missions, Ambassador Asad Alam Siam lauded the joint initiative of the Foreign Service Academy and the University of Dhaka in cultivating a rich and purposeful training programme.

Among the invited guests, Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Professor of the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka and Tuhfa Zaman Ali, spouse of late Ambassador Syed Muazzem Ali delivered their remarks.

State Minister Shahriar Alam hoped that the young diplomats would be motivated to continue learning and will assist in projecting the image of Bangladesh on the international stage, while holding on to Bangabandhu’s policy of friendship to all.

The foreign secretary praised the Foreign Service Academy, and the trainee officers of 28th SDTC for their successful completion of the course, and urged the young diplomats to come up with innovative and practical strategies to preserve Bangladesh’s national interest.

Senior officials of the ministry, distinguished members of the academia, and eminent persons form civil society were present.

The ceremony was followed by a graduation dinner hosted by the Foreign Service Academy.