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Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, an award-winning WASH Activist and development professional from Bangladesh, has been named to the prestigious World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) Class of 2025. She is one of only 116 outstanding individuals under the age of 40 selected globally through a highly selective process recognizing exceptional leadership and impact, said a press release. The Forum of Young Global Leaders, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, recognizes trailblazers from diverse sectors including business, government, academia, civil society, and the arts, who are committed to improving the state of the world. The 2025 cohort features heads of state, Grammy-winning artists, unicorn founders, and globally impactful innovators - among them, Bangladesh’s own Shomy. This year’s class includes prominent figures such as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand; Simon Harris, Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) of Ireland; Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of OYO; and environmental artist Von Wong. Shomy joins the ranks of leaders that have previously included Nobel Laureates, Fortune 500 executives, and public servants leading transformational change. As co-founder of the global nonprofit Awareness 360, Shomy has led initiatives in over 70 countries, mobilizing young people to drive progress on clean water access, sanitation, gender equity, climate action, and youth empowerment, directly impacting over 3 million people through grassroots action and international advocacy. Dhaka to get USD 6.26 million loan from Korea Eximbank for martime project Shomy’s work has been internationally recognized with numerous prestigious accolades. She received the President's Volunteer Service Award (Gold) from U.S. President Barack Obama, was one of just twenty recipients globally of the Diana Legacy Award, and was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her contributions to social impact. She is also a globally renowned public speaker and has been invited to high-level events around the world, including the White House, United Nations Headquarters, and, most recently, Buckingham Palace by His Majesty King Charles, inspiring audiences across six continents and in over 50 countries. “I am truly honoured to be part of the 2025 Young Global Leaders cohort,” said Shomy. “At a time when the world is in turmoil, facing compounding crises from climate change to conflict, I hope to meaningfully engage with fellow leaders to advance bold, inclusive, and collaborative solutions that uplift communities and catalyze systemic change.” The YGL Programme is a curated three-year leadership development journey that equips leaders with the tools, networks, and insights to navigate global complexity and lead with confidence, including opportunities to attend the Annual YGL Summit and World Economic Forum meetings, and contribute to insights and research that shape global conversations. Nicole Schwab, chair of the Board of the Forum of Young Global Leaders Foundation, highlighted the growing influence of this community: “These exceptional leaders are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of their fields. They represent the values of courage, collaboration and curiosity that the world urgently needs.”

Sharing a background story of a changed Bangladesh with his global audience, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has laid emphasis on creating a mechanism so that everybody in Bangladesh can vote "freely and fairly" without any "interruption or threat" to anybody while exercising their democratic rights. During a one-to-one conversation with World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab, 84-year-old economist and the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Yunus said all the young people who became voters over the last 16 years did not have a chance to vote which is very unfortunate. Unless they know what kind of election the people of the country want, the Chief Adviser said they can not go into election. He said they are waiting to hold election and now people have to decide the process - whether they will go for the short agenda or the long agenda. Dr Yunus said they have targeted the end of this year for the election to take place if people go for a quick reform agenda. "If people say, no - we need a longer list of reforms, then we need another six months," he said. The Chief Adviser spoke of the student protests that brought down a 15-year tenure of Sheikh Hasina last July. This is the most powerful generation in human history, he announced, before addressing politicians around the world. Dr Yunus described the reforms the interim government is undertaking to prepare the country of 171 million people for free and fair elections, possibly as soon as the end of 2025. Reflecting on the role of the students, he said technology has changed them - they are not Bangladeshi young people anymore, they are global young people. "We define that new Bangladesh and we are committed to creating that new Bangladesh," said the Chief Adviser. He said the demands from the movement came that they do not want to go back to the old Bangladesh, so they have to make a new Bangladesh. Read: National election likely by year end or early 2026: EC Masud Dr Yunus said they do not want to go back to that kind of tradition of elections without votes. He talked about a consensus commission to build a consensus around each piece of their work and on the basis of agreement of all parties and civil society organisations, they will prepare what they call "July charter," the month when a uprising took place in Bangladesh. Dr Yunus said they are smarter than any other generation because of the technology they have. "So, this young generation can expand their views and create their own world." Encouraging the young people to become entrepreneurs, the Chief Adviser said they are preparing them to take a job but job-oriented education is finished. "I said this generation is a generation of entrepreneurs." Dr Yunus said they see enormous amounts of support internationally for Bangladesh and its people. Klaus Schwab, impressed by Dr Yunus' speech, expressed his happiness over the "exceptional" half an hour conversation with a "visionary" man. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to leave Davos for Dhaka on Friday night (Switzerland time) via Zurich International Airport wrapping up his very busy four-day visit with nearly 50 engagements. He will return home on January 25. Read more: Prioritising national election is EC’s main task: Commissioner Masud He arrived here in Zurich, Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam received the Chief Adviser at the airport upon his arrival. Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah, among others, are accompany Dr Yunus during the visit. Bangladesh highlighted its efforts for an improved business and investment climate during the annual meeting of the WEF in Switzerland to attract the global business leaders and investors giving them a confidence to explore the opportunities that Bangladesh offers. The annual meeting 2025 brought global leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. Read more: Main goal is to ensure free, fair election: EC Sanaullah This year's meeting convened under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: The meeting brought together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions.

Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Anna Bjerde on Thursday reiterated the global lender's support to the interim government for rebuilding Bangladesh. "I want to express our support… count on us for whatever support you want," she told Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus during a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city. Dr Yunus urges Meta to intensify efforts against misinformation, fake news The World Bank Managing Director for operations said the bank would like to extend its support to Bangladesh in the second half of the year, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. During the talks, they spoke briefly on the July uprising, reform initiatives of the interim government and the state of Bangladesh economy. DP World, Maersk eye major investments in Bangladesh ports Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator of the Bangladesh government, and Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh’s permanent  representative to Geneva, also attended the meeting.

President Donald Trump, in a speech to the World Economic Forum on Thursday, encouraged global leaders to benefit from lower taxes by bringing manufacturing to the U.S., while warning that failure to do so would result in tariffs, reports AP. Speaking via video from the White House to the annual summit in Davos, Switzerland, on his third day in office, Trump highlighted his series of executive actions since his inauguration and asserted that he had a “massive mandate” from the American people to drive change. He presented a combination of incentives and penalties to stimulate private investment in the U.S. Trump's mass deportation plan could overwhelm U.S. Immigrant Detention System “Come manufacture your products in America, and we will offer you some of the lowest tax rates of any nation on earth,” Trump said. “However, if you choose not to produce your goods in America — which is your decision — then, simply put, you will be subject to tariffs. These tariffs, in varying amounts, will channel hundreds of billions, even trillions of dollars, into our treasury to boost the economy and reduce debt during my administration.” Trump also mentioned that he had spoken with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince on Wednesday, revealing that the kingdom is planning to invest $600 billion in the U.S. He added that he would request Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to increase this amount to $1 trillion — a comment that elicited some laughter from the audience in Davos. Saudi to invest $600 billion in US: Crown prince to Trump In his introduction, Davos founder Klaus Schwab remarked that Trump’s return and his agenda had “been a focal point of our discussions this week” and extended an invitation for Trump to attend the summit in person next year.

During his hectic second day at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus called on Bangladesh's international allies to aid in the recovery of substantial amounts of stolen money. The Chief Adviser met Wolfgang Schmidt, Head of the Federal Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Tasks, Federal Chancellery of Germany, King Philippe, King of Belgium, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councilor, Federal Department for Foreign Affairs, Switzerland, Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, United Arab Emirates, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others, on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting. The World Economic Forum is being held at the Swiss mountain town of Davos every year in January.  Chief Adviser Prof Yunus came here about a dozen times in the past. In the past his talks featured mostly on the power of social businesses, the micro finance industry and how it was doing wonders and the Three Zeros, his great idea to fix a self-destructive civilisation. UN chief Guterres meets Dr Yunus in Davos The social businesses alone now account for ten million enterprises, representing a 2.3 trillion dollar economy. This time Prof Yunus is here in a different role, said his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, adding that he is now a head of the government. "He is still one of the most sought after speakers here. But this time he rarely talks about his core ideas," Alam said, adding that Dr Yunus came with a new real life story of how young people in Bangladesh brought down a "dictator", how their ideas are creating a new Bangladesh and how the country is getting rebuilt. The Chief Adviser urged the global leaders to send top experts, think tanks, journalists, and international organisations to Bangladesh to look into how the "plain and daylight robbery" was committed in Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina's "corrupt" 16-year-long rule, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB after the meetings. UAE invites Dr Yunus to attend World Governments Summit in Dubai Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to Chief Adviser, Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary); and Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Permanent Representative in Geneva, were among others, present in the meetings, said Azad Majumder said. Lutfey Siddiqi briefed German Minister Wolfgang Schmidt regarding the government’s efforts in recovering the stolen money and said that the government had formed an Asset Recovery Committee and a Taskforce headed by the Bangladesh Bank governor in this regard. He said that the government had targeted the top 20 money launderers initially to recover their stolen money. Highlighting the interim government’s efforts to build a corruption-free Bangladesh, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus told the German Minister, “When we talk about new Bangladesh, we also talk about clean Bangladesh.” The Chief Adviser sought German support to this effect and also discussed potential fields of economic cooperation with the German minister. The German minister said a new German business delegation will visit Bangladesh in April. Professor Yunus said that Bangladesh intends to create an economic platform, also involving India, Nepal, and Bhutan, to explore the hydroelectric potential of Nepal. “Nepal is really ready to sell, and Bangladesh is a good market. It can create a lot of jobs and lessen dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus began a hectic second day at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, with a packed schedule of at least 14 meetings planned as part of his extensive engagements with global leaders. Dr Yunus had his first meeting on the day with the Head of the Federal Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Tasks, Federal Chancellery of Germany, Wolfgang Schmidt, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. CA Yunus calls for putting global focus back on Rohingya crisis as it gets complicated Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah were, among others, present at the meeting held on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting. The Chief Adviser also held separate meetings with King Philippe, Kingdom of Belgium, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, DPS Azad said. Meeting with Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, United Arab Emirates, is among the key engagements of Dr Yunus scheduled for today (Wednesday). Dr Yunus holds high-level meetings in Davos Dr Yunus arrived here on Tuesday afternoon to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and had six meetings with the global leaders since his arrival. Earlier, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam received the Chief Adviser at the Zurich International Airport upon his arrival. Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah are, among others, accompany Dr Yunus. The annual meeting 2025 brought global leaders to address key global and regional challenges. Talks with Dr Yunus: Finland President seeks Global South's proactive roles in major global affairs These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. This year's meeting convened under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: The meeting brings together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus began his extensive engagements here on Tuesday with his first meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who conveyed to Dr Yunus that Germany would do its best to support Bangladesh in its transition to democracy. "You can be rest assured that we will support you," the German Chancellor said when he met Dr Yunus on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city. The Chief Adviser briefed him on the reform agenda of the interim government and discussed issues of mutual interest. Dr Yunus invited more German investment in Bangladesh. "We can be your factory," he said. He also sought Scholz's support in creating a safe zone for Rohingyas in Myanmar's Rakhine State under the supervision of the United Nations, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Beijing extends loan repayment period, considers Dhaka's request for interest rate cut The Chief Adviser said he was leading a consensus commission in an effort to facilitate consensus building among the political parties on major reform reports submitted by six commissions. He said after the consensus is reached, the political parties will sign a ‘July Charter’ that will uphold the democratic spirits of the student-led uprising in July and August. The two leaders spoke about a wide range of issues, including the circumstances that led to the July uprising, Bangladesh's relationship with its neighbours, the Rohingya crisis, and the security situation in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser explained to the German chancellor how young people joined the July uprising to bring an end to years of misrule in Bangladesh. A student as young as 12 years old wrote a letter to his mother before joining the uprising and embraced martyrdom, the Chief Adviser told Scholz. Prof Yunus called for greater business links between the two nations and urged him to send a team of German businessmen to Dhaka to explore business opportunities in Bangladesh. He said that Bangladesh still holds the idea of SAARC and would continue its endeavour to revive the platform. The Chief Adviser also explained to the German Chancellor how hydroelectric power from Nepal can benefit multiple South Asian countries, helping all in their transition to renewable energy. Malaysia extends repatriation programme for undocumented Bangladeshis The Chief Adviser also met Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum and discussed issues of mutual interest. Dr Yunus arrived at Zurich International Airport, Switzerland in the afternoon to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos where he started engaging with the global leaders on pressing issues in addition to his bilateral meetings. Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam received the Chief Adviser at the airport upon his arrival. Dhaka, Beijing discuss economic partnership expansion The Chief Adviser and his delegation members arrived at the Zurich International Airport at 12:27pm (Zurich time) by an Emirates flight. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to hold a number of meetings on the first day, including his joining in the opening dinner at Kurpark Village.

The wealth of billionaires worldwide grew three times faster in 2024 than the previous year, with four new billionaires emerging each week, according to a report by Oxfam International. Released to coincide with the opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the study predicts the emergence of at least five trillionaires within the next decade, a stark increase from last year’s forecast of just one trillionaire. The anti-poverty organisation’s findings underscore a “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of very few ultra-wealthy people,” as warned by outgoing US President Joe Biden. Titled “Takers Not Makers,” Oxfam’s report highlights that poverty levels have stagnated globally since 1990, while billionaire wealth surged by $2 trillion in 2024 alone—an average of $5.7 billion per day. BB to fix single exchange rate for US dollar soon A Call to Address the ‘New Aristocracy’ Oxfam’s Executive Director, Amitabh Behar, criticised the growing influence of billionaires in shaping global economic and social policies. “The economic system we’ve created enables billionaires to further consolidate wealth, giving them unprecedented power over policy decisions,” he said, pointing to a broader systemic issue beyond individual fortunes. This year’s Davos summit, attended by 3,000 business executives, academics, government officials, and civic leaders, opens amid growing concern about inequality. President-elect Donald Trump—known for his pro-wealth policies and close ties to multibillionaire Elon Musk—is set to participate via video later this week. Critics, including Oxfam, argue that the world’s “new aristocracy” continues to benefit disproportionately from the current economic framework. Oxfam’s recommendations include taxing the richest individuals, breaking up monopolies, capping CEO pay, and implementing regulations to ensure corporations pay living wages. “Governments must act decisively to dismantle this new aristocracy and create a more equitable economic system,” Behar stated. The State of Global Poverty While billionaire wealth flourishes, poverty persists. Oxfam’s analysis, using Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaire List and World Bank data, reveals that the number of people living on less than $6.85 per day has “barely changed” since 1990. It also notes stark global inequalities: low- and middle-income nations allocate nearly half their budgets to debt repayments, and life expectancy in Africa remains at 64 years compared to 79 years in Europe. Bangladesh Bank identifies reasons behind increased dollar demand The group reported that 204 new billionaires were created in 2024, bringing the global total to 2,769. It also highlighted that three-fifths of billionaire wealth stems from inheritance, monopoly power, or “crony connections.” Davos’ Focus Amid Growing Divides Despite mounting calls for action, this year’s Davos agenda appears poised to focus on wealth generation and technological advancements. Artificial intelligence, in particular, is a key topic, with discussions centred on its potential to enhance business efficiencies despite fears of widespread job displacement. The forum’s annual “Global Risks Report,” based on a survey of 900 experts, identified international conflicts as the top concern, followed by extreme weather, economic confrontations, and misinformation. Protests demanding greater economic equality have already begun, with activists blocking roads to Davos and disrupting the event’s logistics. 13 banks submit answers to central bank for unusual dollar purchases that hiked exchange rate A Systemic Challenge Oxfam’s findings and the broader themes of the Davos summit underline the urgent need for systemic change. While the ultra-wealthy continue to accumulate power and resources, the persistent stagnation of global poverty levels highlights the widening chasm between rich and poor. Whether the WEF’s attendees will address these disparities remains to be seen, but the calls for a fairer global economy are growing louder.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 21-24 where he will engage with the global leaders on regional and global issues in addition to his bilateral engagements. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Rafiqul Alam confirmed the official visit of the Chief Adviser during a weekly briefing on Thursday. Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi and Principle Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed will accompany Dr Yunus during the visit, he said. The annual meeting 2025 convenes global leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. Read: Chief Adviser Yunus to attend 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo The 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place from January 20-24 January in Davos, Switzerland. This year's meeting will convene under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: The meeting brings together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions. Read more: Prof Yunus to attend UNGA with 'small, functional' delegation: Foreign Adviser

Bangladesh's Finance Ministry is tackling what it identifies as one of its most formidable challenges: significantly amplifying public expenditure to catalyse sustained growth within the private sector.  An official document from the ministry underscores that, in comparison to other economies, Bangladesh's government spending as a percentage of GDP markedly trails, thereby emphasising the urgency to augment investment. Data from the World Economic Forum and the IMF (as of April 2023), reveal Bangladesh's public expenditure at 13.1% of its GDP, a figure that stands in stark contrast to countries like France at 58.5%, Sweden at 46.8%, and even neighbouring India at 28.8%. This discrepancy highlights the room for growth in Bangladesh's fiscal strategy. The government, aiming to elevate GDP growth and living standards, views the expansion of its expenditure as crucial. This ambition is supported by the progressive implementation of reforms in Public Financial Management. Historically, the government has gradually increased its spending relative to GDP, signaling a positive trajectory. Interest rate for April set at 13.55%, for consumer loans add 1%   Outlined in the 'Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)' from the Finance Division, the government's medium-term strategy is geared towards securing inclusive and high growth. This strategy is aligned with Bangladesh's Vision 2041, the 8th Five Year Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on priority sectors including infrastructure, industrial production, food security, job creation, healthcare, and education among others. In anticipation of the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), significant allocations have been dedicated to human resource development, particularly in education and skills training. The fiscal projections set public expenditure targets at 15.2% for the 2023-24 fiscal year, 15.4% for 2024-25, and 16.2% for 2025-26. The document further highlights Bangladesh's progression to a lower-middle-income country, with aspirations to attain upper-middle-income status by 2031. This ambition aligns with the developmental targets set within the 8th Five Year Plan and reflects the government's commitment to resuming the rapid economic growth witnessed pre-COVID-19 and pre-Russia-Ukraine war. Banks to remain open on April 5, 6, and 7 for payment of garment workers’ salary, bonus In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government prioritised life and livelihood protection, adopting an expansionary fiscal policy and channeling additional funds into critical sectors.  Despite the global political and economic instability, these measures have begun to show promise, with expectations of returning to pre-pandemic growth levels and policies aimed at promoting pro-poor and inclusive growth. As Bangladesh looks forward, the Finance Ministry is set on formulating strategies to enhance pro-poor growth, stimulate both domestic and international private investment, bolster public investment, curb inflation, generate employment, and alleviate the balance of payment pressures. These objectives underscore a holistic approach to not only recovering from recent global challenges but also setting a solid foundation for long-term, sustainable development.