United News of Bangladesh

Lt Gen (retd) Dr Mohd Aminul Karim, a distinguished military strategist and academic, has joined the Cosmos Foundation and the Bay of Bengal Institute as Honorary Board Member, a move expected to further strengthen the organisations’ contributions to strategic policy research and regional discourse. Lt Gen (retd) Karim, a former commandant of the National Defense College of Bangladesh, brings a wealth of experience in security studies, international relations and leadership. Ambassador Tariq Karim takes charge as President of Bay of Bengal Institute He previously served as the military secretary to former President Iajuddin Ahmed and held senior academic positions, including as a professor and dean at the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB). In addition, he was a senior research fellow at the Asia Europe Institute, University of Malaya, and a visiting professor at several globally renowned institutions, including the University of Malaya, China Foreign Affairs University, and Ohio State University. Welcoming Lt Gen (retd) Karim to the Cosmos Foundation and the Bay of Bengal Institute, Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of both the organisations, said, "His deep expertise and strategic insights will help propel our institutions to new heights. With his guidance, we expect to enhance our engagement in regional policy discussions and play an even more effective role in shaping Bangladesh’s positioning in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.” His appointment follows another key leadership addition to the Bay of Bengal Institute, with former diplomat Tariq Ahmad Karim assuming the role of President on January 7. Ambassador Karim, known for his extensive experience in international diplomacy, has set forth a vision to elevate Bangladesh’s strategic influence in the region. Ambassador Farooq Sobhan joins Cosmos Foundation as Honorary Advisor Emeritus The Cosmos Foundation continues to attract global thought leaders to its advisory board, including Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, former Foreign Affairs Adviser (Foreign Minister) of Bangladesh, Ambassador Farooq Sobhan, and international experts such as former Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk, Indian diplomat Ambassador Krishnan Srinivasan. As the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, the Cosmos Foundation remains dedicated to policy research, strategic discourse, and promoting the art and culture of Bangladesh. Its initiatives, including Bangladesh’s first-ever festival for disabled artists in collaboration with UNESCO, reflect its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and intellectually vibrant society. 'Lines of Imagination': Gallery Cosmos organises unique drawing exhibition by Biren Shome

Former diplomat Tariq Ahmad Karim has assumed the role of President of the Bay of Bengal Institute, a prominent initiative under the Cosmos Foundation. Ambassador Karim, who has had a distinguished career in Bangladesh's Foreign Service, outlined his vision for the institute, emphasising the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal. "There is no gainsaying the importance of the Bay of Bengal from a strategic perspective. It connects the Pacific Ocean with the Indian Ocean, and plays a significant role in the politics of both the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean regions in today’s world" he said. Italy summons Iran's ambassador to release arrested Italian journalist He highlighted Bangladesh’s crucial position in global geopolitics, by virtue of its location at the epicentre of Bay, and expressed his intention to leverage the Bay of Bengal’s strategic potential to advance the country’s interests. Starting his tenure on January 1, 2025, Ambassador Karim plans to launch initiatives aimed at boosting public awareness and engagement, including organising meetings, seminars and dialogues to discuss the region's untapped potential. Turkish ambassador Ramis Sen pays courtesy visit to Trade Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury, President of the Cosmos Foundation, welcomed the appointment, saying: “We are all very excited to have Ambassador Tariq Karim accept the responsibilities of President of the Bay of Bengal Institute! I know him to be a person of outstanding capabilities. He will bring immense intellectual rigour and a vast reservoir of knowledge to this position. I look forward to a close and rewarding cooperation between the Foundation and the Institute in the times ahead." Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of the Cosmos Foundation and the Bay of Bengal Institute, congratulated Karim on his appointment, saying, "We are thrilled to have Ambassador Tariq Ahmad Karim at the helm of the Bay of Bengal Institute. His extensive experience and leadership will be invaluable in promoting greater awareness of the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal and furthering the Institute’s mission to advance Bangladesh’s role on the global stage." A seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Karim has an extensive history of distinguished service to the nation. He served notably as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to India. Earlier he was also High Commissioner to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, and Ambassador to Iran and Lebanon. He played a pivotal role in the finalization of the landmark 1996 Ganges Water Treaty between Bangladesh and India during his tenure as Additional Foreign Secretary for South Asia and SAARC, when he also advocated for robust sub-regional cooperation on issues of existential importance to Bangladesh and its immediate surrounding region. In addition to his new role as President of the Bay of Bengal Institute, Ambassador Karim also serves concurrently as Adviser Emeritus to the Cosmos Foundation.  He has also been a Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the prestigious Institute for South Asian Studies of the National University of Singapore since 2022, and a member of the Board of Advisers of the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) of Seattle WA and Washington DC since 2021. Ambassador Karim’s vast experience in regional and international diplomacy is poised to guide the institute in its mission to elevate Bangladesh's strategic significance in the Bay of Bengal.  

Stressing that peace and harmony among littoral states are crucial to unlocking the Bay of Bengal's potential, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasised on Sunday that Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," Adviser Hossain said while speaking at a seminar in the capital. He laid emphasis on their collective task to align diverse interests, ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention; and a model for sustainable and inclusive development. Supported by the Embassy of Japan, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) hosted the international seminar on "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interests" at the BIISS auditorium. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori spoke at the seminar as the special guest. The working sessions were chaired by Tarik A Karim, Chairperson of the Bay of Bengal Institute, Cosmos Foundation; and Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Other speakers included Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman of BIISS, and Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General of BIISS. With its strategic location and growing industrial base, the Adviser said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain.  In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities, he said. As Bangladesh approaches its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026, Adviser Hossain said, it stands at a critical juncture, facing both significant opportunities and complex challenges. The impending loss of preferential trade benefits and concessional financing necessitates a shift towards more competitive and innovative economic strategies. "To address these challenges effectively, Bangladesh must prioritise diversifying its trade portfolio, elevating the quality and value of its exports, and investing in advanced technologies to drive productivity and economic growth," Hossain said. Partnerships with regional and extra-regional stakeholders, particularly Japan, can provide the technological and financial support needed for Bangladesh to overcome these hardships, he said. Japan’s expertise in areas such as renewable energy, digital trade, and maritime logistics can play a transformative role in this context, said the Adviser, adding that the Bay of Bengal is not only an economic resource but also an ecological treasure.