British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, has said the UK and Bangladesh enjoy a strong partnership based on their long-shared history, deep people-to-people ties and as members of the Commonwealth. “I am delighted to host this reception to celebrate the Official Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III and the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen," she said while speaking at a reception on Wednesday evening. The British High Commission celebrated the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III and the Coronation of the King and Queen. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md. Tajul Islam joined the reception as the guest of honour. Dhaka-based music producer invited to a research trip to Switzerland “With thanks to our partners, we are also making a donation today to support women’s empowerment and climate justice through youth engagement in Bangladesh. His Majesty is a strong supporter of youth, community, sustainability, and diversity and with this contribution we pay tribute to him," said the British High Commissioner. A wide range of dignitaries from the government of Bangladesh; Bangladesh parliament; the diplomatic corps and representatives from the fields of business, trade, social development, academia, arts, culture, media and sports joined the celebration. In honour of the King, the themes of the event were “youth, community, diversity, and sustainability”. Switzerland will develop skilled manpower in Bangladesh under a new MoU A significant portion of the sponsorship raised for the event will be used to support the empowerment of women in leadership and youth promotion of climate advocacy across Bangladesh, through YouthNet for Climate Justice and WAVE Foundation for Women in Leadership. The King’s Birthday Party is celebrated by British embassies and high commissions around the world. This year, the King turns 75 on November 14. His Majesty the King is Head of the Commonwealth, which is a family of 56 countries working together for prosperity, democracy and peace.  

British High Commission in Dhaka has activated solar panels in its office in an attempt to move to renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. In partnership with SOLshare, a climate tech company, the High Commission has installed a 15.93 kilowatt per hour grid-tied rooftop solar project for its office. In other words, the High Commission on Sunday said, solar power will be offset against the High Commission’s electricity consumption from the grid. The solar panels will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the High Commission by approximately 320 tonnes over its expected life of 30 years, and will produce approximately 18,000 kilowatt hours of electricity every year. read more: Bangladesh, Cyprus keen to expand cooperation on public safety British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, who inaugurated the solar panels, said he is delighted to see that they are moving to green, renewable energy at the High Commission. He said electricity produced through renewable sources such as solar is critical to reducing their dependence on electricity produced by the burning of fossil fuels, which drives climate change. “The energy crisis and the global situation since the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) hosted under the UK Presidency in November 2021 demonstrates that the rapid acceleration of renewable energy is not only essential to protecting the planet, but critical to the security of energy supply,” said the High Commission. Dr Sebastian Groh, Managing Director of SOLshare Limited, said, “We applaud the entire team of the British High Commission for taking this initiative.” Groh said it is important to walk the talk and it is good timing during COP27 to set an example for all other missions. “And this is just the beginning; we look forward to having further potential opportunities to support the British High Commission in their sustainability journey.” The green energy transition will help to meet bold climate commitments by accelerating transition to more affordable, reliable, and accessible energy that spurs growth, and reduces carbon emissions. Rooftop solar panels have been proven as one of the most effective renewable energy solutions for Bangladesh to meet its desired energy target and alleviate the present energy crisis. The British High Commission Dhaka said they are proud to be part of this change by contributing solar energy from its office rooftop.

British High Commission in Dhaka has celebrated Queen’s birthday party after a gap of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and vowed to boost girls’ life chances allowing them to dream big for the future. This year, the event held on Wednesday evening had a special significance as Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her platinum jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury joined the reception celebrating the birthday party as guest of honour. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said the Queen has been an “incredible source” of strength for the UK and the Commonwealth through a period of enormous change. Also read:Bangladesh, Serbia keen to further strengthen bilateral partnership

A webinar titled “Building on the outcomes of COP26: Priority Climate Actions Ahead of COP27” will be held on Friday highlighting the ground reality on the climate front and required efforts to mitigate the situation keeping in mind the climate vulnerability of Bangladesh. The webinar, to be hosted by United News of Bangladesh (UNB) in partnership with the British High Commission in Dhaka, will also discuss ways to strengthen the climate partnership between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. The UK now holds the Presidency until COP27 later this year. Read: Women's participation in climate action: 'Gender equality prerequisite for sustainable tomorrow' Additional Secretary (Climate Change Wing) at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) Director Prof Dr Saleemul Huq, its Deputy Director Prof Dr Mizan R. Khan and Independent Consultant, Environment, Climate Change and Research Systems Dr Haseeb Md. Irfanullah will join as discussants at the webinar. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) Director Nahar Khan will  moderate the webinar which will be premiered on UNB Facebook page and its YouTube channel at 7:30pm on Friday. The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 13 November 2021. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Read: Climate change to uproot millions, especially in Asia: UN As the Presidency of the COP, the UK says there is "crucial work" to be done as they spend the coming months working with governments and organisations to make sure they deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact, turning momentum into action. The UK Presidency will do so by aiming for four goals - ensuring promises on emissions reductions are kept to keep 1.5 degrees alive; delivering for climate vulnerable countries by ensuring commitments on adaptation and loss and damage are honoured; getting finance flowing and working together and continuing to be an inclusive Presidency. The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November this year. 

British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Girls’ Education Helen Grant has laid emphasis on investing in girls’ education which she thinks an “absolute game changer” and ensures a safer, fairer and better world for the girls giving them greater say over their futures. “Investing in girls’ education is an absolute game changer,” she said, adding that girls’ education is a key priority for the UK government. Helen Grant, who was appointed in January 2021 as the British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Girls’ Education, made the remarks before wrapping up her recent visit to Bangladesh. Read: British PM’s Special Envoy Helen Grant in city to meet girls While talking to a small group of reporters at the residence of British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, Helen listed poverty, climate change; gender based violence, early pregnancy and forced marriage as some of the barriers that need to be addressed through joint efforts. As girls remain at greater risk of violence, sexual abuse, child marriage due to out of schools, she said investing in girls is very important.

British Deputy High Commissioner Javed Patel has described Sylhet as one of the most beautiful cities in Bangladesh where the ties between the UK and Bangladesh are as strong as ever.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday said the UK will lead a global call to action to protect the world’s poorest people from coronavirus and the increasing threat of famine.

The UK on Tuesday said it will continue advocating for accountability on the part of Myanmar for crimes committed against the Rohingyas.

The British High Commission in Dhaka has invited applications from journalists for the Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship (SAJP).

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the UK is taking initiative to double the impact of British people’s donations and ensure that UK charities working on the ground can reach even more people in need including Rohingyas.