United News of Bangladesh

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has emphasised the importance of collective effort saying ideas, when supported and scaled, can contribute to solving global challenges.  He also highlighted ongoing initiatives in healthcare and introduced the vision for Grameen University, an entrepreneurship-driven institution designed to enable students to build and launch ventures during their studies. Prof Yunus made remarks while speaking at the Yunus Global Forum 2026 held at the United Nations University, Tokyo on Thursday, organised by Earth Identity Project, led by Kawahara-san. The forum brought together practitioners, students, and leaders to discuss social business and the vision of a world with three zeros—zero poverty, zero unemployment through entrepreneurship and zero net carbon emissions. The event featured keynote remarks by Professor Muhammad Yunus, alongside speeches from the Bangladesh Ambassador and the Vice Rector of the United Nations University. Japanese social businesses presented practical models, including large-scale circular economy initiatives focused on recycling, plastics, and resource efficiency. A notable presentation came from Mitsuru Izumo, founder of Euglena, who shared that more than 20 million packets of Euglena-fortified biscuits have been distributed to schoolchildren in Bangladesh to address nutrition challenges.  He noted that his journey began 27 years ago as a JICA volunteer in Bangladesh, where he was inspired by Professor Yunus and the work of Grameen Bank.  Euglena, a nutrient-rich microorganism, is also being developed as a biofuel, with early applications already tested in aviation. Three “Three Zero Club” presentations drew attention, particularly as they were delivered by school students engaged in social business initiatives.  One focused on reducing plastic waste through water stations and reusable bottles.  Another explored the use of Washi, a traditional Japanese material, for low-cost and climate-sensitive housing in Bangladesh. A third introduced “My Earring,” a product designed to be worn without ear piercing. Additional insights were shared by the mayor of Sakai in Ibaraki Prefecture, where local innovations in governance, taxation, and transport are being implemented as potential models. The forum also included a panel discussion on advancing the three zeros agenda, focusing on scaling ideas, collaboration, and implementation. Md. Ashraful Hassan, Managing Director and CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust; Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of the Yunus Centre; and Shazeeb M Khairul Islam, Founder of YY Ventures, also attended the forum.  

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said he would feel guilty if a fair election cannot be arranged, stressing that they are now going through a war-like situation. After the ban on Awami League activities, Prof Yunus said, they (conspirators) are trying to destabilise the country in every way they can. "We have to protect ourselves from this....I got the courage as we all sat together. I would feel guilty if we can't hold a fair election," Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted the Chief Adviser as conveying to the political leaders during two separate meetings.  Prof Yunus said all efforts are underway to destabilise the country after the ban imposed on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League, Alam said while briefing reporters in front of state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday night.  Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present.  "They (conspirators) are not able to accept anything. We have to be rescued from division. There has to be a consensus. As a self-respecting nation, whatever we have been able to stand, let it go forward," Prof Yunus said. After the meeting, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said the Chief Adviser told them that the country is in a big crisis due to Indian hegemony.  "For this, the Chief Adviser believes that the entire nation needs to remain united," Manna said. "He (Prof Yunus) started the discussion by saying that we are in a very big crisis. He talked about the conspiracy of Indian hegemony while referring to this crisis. Indian hegemony does not want to accept this change (here) at all. If they can, they want to destroy us in one day, and they are doing whatever they need to do for that. These were his words," Manna said quoting the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus, according to Press Secretary Alam, said they have got a great opportunity to pull the country that was destroyed and with the banning of the Awami League's activities, another war-like situation has been created inside and outside the country so that the country cannot move forward, everything collapses and the country returns to slavery again.  "The Chief Adviser also said that the intention of those who are conspiring is that we should return to slavery," said the Press Secretary.  Quoting the Chief Adviser, Press Secretary Alam also said Prof Yunus assured the political leaders that he would not allow anything that can harm the country’s interest as long as he is in this position.   Highlighting the importance of political consensus, the Chief Adviser said they must come out from division.  He said the political leaders extended full support to the Chief Adviser and assured him of standing beside him. Responding to a question on election roadmap, Alam said the Chief Adviser reiterated that he will not go beyond June 30 next year. "You need to trust him." Earlier, a group of political leaders, including Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed and Mahmudur Rahman Manna met the Chief Adviser and discussed pressing national issues, including the upcoming national election and political reforms. The meeting was held at the state guesthouse Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, where political leaders Mujahidul Islam Selim, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and AB party chief Mujibur Rahman Manju, among others, joined it.  Three advisers, including, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan were also present. In the second phase, Maulana Sadiqur Rahman, Maulana Rezaul Karim, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Maulana Ahmed Abdul Quader, Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, Maulana Manjurul Islam Affendi, Nurul Haque Noor, Maulana Musa Bin Izhar and Mufti Maulana Shakhawat Hossain Razi held talks with the Chief Adviser. On Saturday, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party leaders met Prof Yunus separately. Prof Yunus on Saturday reiterated his position on the next election, stressing that the government will not go beyond June next year. "Prof Yunus is a man of his word. He gave a cut-off time. He won't go beyond that," Alam told the reporters, referring to the next national election that is likely to be held between December 2025 to June 2026. Alam also said the Chief Adviser conveyed the same to BNP when its leaders met the Chief Adviser at his residence. The Chief Adviser repeatedly mentioned this December to June 30 next year and stressed that he keeps his words. When pressed further, Alam said June 30 is a specific date, and the Chief Adviser will not go beyond that. Alam said the political leaders expressed their confidence in his (CA) leadership and all the three meetings were held in a friendly environment on Saturday. The interim government on Saturday said it will take the necessary decisions together with the people of the country if the government’s “autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations” are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable. “If - under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy - the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people,” said the Council of Advisers in a statement after its unscheduled meeting. Despite all obstacles, the Council of Advisers said, the interim government continues to fulfill its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. “The interim government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising,” said the Council of Advisers.