United News of Bangladesh

Norway on Tuesday said it remains a "steadfast partner" in promoting transparency, accountability and justice, and is committed to supporting Bangladesh in building a 'more equitable and resilient' society. State Secretary for International Development of Norway Stine Renate Håheim met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain separately and their discussion covered a range of areas, including democracy, human rights and women’s rights. The humanitarian situation of over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh was also discussed. State Secretary Håheim is currently on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. She is scheduled to visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday to gain firsthand insight into the ongoing humanitarian needs and challenges. In her meeting with Prof Yunus, she reiterated Norway’s strong commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s interim government during this crucial transition period. During the meeting with Foreign Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Secretary Håheim laid emphasis on deepening bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Norway. She reaffirmed Norway’s support for the interim government and commended its efforts to maintain stability and implement democratic reforms. Håheim also praised Bangladesh for its continued generosity in hosting a large number of Rohingyas from Myanmar. Foreign Adviser Hossain expressed his appreciation for Norway’s longstanding development assistance and its growing engagement in Bangladesh’s private sector. Global confidence in Bangladesh growing, says Prof Yunus He stressed the need for greater international burden-sharing and called for a sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis, including the early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Adviser also underscored the importance of Bangladesh’s vibrant and rapidly growing youth population in shaping the country’s future - through fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and strengthening democratic resilience. Both the Adviser and the State Secretary highlighted the need to maintain close cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to working together to address contemporary challenges.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said global confidence in Bangladesh is growing as top companies from around the world visited the country to assess the situation first-hand. “At the recent BIDA Summit, the world’s top companies came to see our situation first-hand, including some from Norway. They came not out of obligation, but out of curiosity and belief in what’s possible here,” he said. Prof Yunus made the remarks when State Secretary for International Development of the government of Norway Stine Renate Håheim called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna who reaffirmed Norway’s continued support for Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser spoke about the challenges the nation has faced in recent months. “Many lives were lost during the July uprising, and our economy suffered immense damage. The previous regime enabled the laundering of an estimated $16 billion annually. Loans were treated like gifts, and we inherited a staggering pile of unpaid bills,” he said. During the meeting, the Norwegian State Secretary conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and highlighted Norway’s longstanding relationship with Bangladesh. “You are a well-known figure in Norway,” she told the Chief Adviser. “Our Prime Minister often speaks of you with great admiration. You have been friends for a long time,” she said. Prof Yunus reflected on the deep and historic ties between the two countries. “Norway has always stood by Bangladesh during critical moments. Your role in our development journey is undeniable,” the Chief Adviser said. Håheim emphasised Norway’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and democratic transitions. “We came here to show our support for the democratization of Bangladesh” she said. Algeria seeks cooperation with Dhaka in education “The responsibility on your shoulders is immense, and expectations are high among the people of Bangladesh.” The Chief Adviser also urged Norway to continue supporting Bangladesh on humanitarian fronts, particularly in regard to the forcibly displaced Rohingya population. “These are real people with real aspirations. The young people of the Rohingya community need hope,” he said. “Many of them came as children, aged 7 or 10, and are now teenagers. They’ve grown up in camps. Every day, more children are born into a future with no certainty. They want to go back home, but they’re stuck in limbo. We must not forget them.” Håheim acknowledged the scale of the humanitarian challenge and reiterated Norway’s commitment. “We deeply appreciate how Bangladesh has taken the lead in addressing this crisis. We want to expand our relationship beyond development assistance toward a broader, dynamic partnership.” The meeting was also attended by Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, as well as Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Mosharaf Hossain.