Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday underscored the potential of a trilateral partnership among Bangladesh, India and Japan -- leveraging Bangladesh's strategic location. He said this partnership would focus on investment, market development, and enhanced connectivity, with India's growing economy and Japan's capital surplus playing crucial roles. Speaking at a policy colloquium, the Foreign Secretary also urged Japan to expand its BIG-B initiative for regional prosperity and sustainable development. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori emphasized the rising geopolitical significance of Bangladesh in the global context. The policy colloquium titled ‘From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in the Bangladesh, Japan, India Trilateral Partnership’ was held at the Syndicate Hall of North South University (NSU). The event was organized by the university's Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG). The session was chaired by Professor Atiqul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of NSU. Former Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque; Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM); Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of Asian Confluence, India; and Dr. M Jashim Uddin, Associate Professor of Political Science and Sociology at NSU, also spoke at the event. Dr. Selim Raihan observed that the Bangladesh, Japan, and India partnership could spur economic growth in Bangladesh through improved connectivity, trade efficiency, and infrastructure development. Highlighting the importance of greater transparency, digitization of customs, and removing non-tariff barriers, Dr. Raihan suggested unrestricted foreign direct investment from Bangladesh to India to stimulate economic integration and industry growth. Observing that India's northeast region (NER) is a crucial connector for Bangladesh with India and South and Southeast Asia, Dutta said that extensive connectivity in the region can foster a competitive business climate and stimulate regional trade and economic growth. The colloquium also focused on the challenges that need to be overcome to ensure the success of the trilateral partnership, with a particular focus on border stabilization. The historical links between Bangladesh and the North East Region (NER) of India and the role of Japan in rejuvenating these connections were also discussed. During the open dialogue, panelists answered questions from students, faculty, and journalists, moderated by Professor Dr. Tawfique M. Haque, Director, CPS, and SIPG. Professor Atiqul Islam hoped that the trilateral investment partnership would produce a positive impact for the entire region, encompassing India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.  

Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Saturday said Bangladesh and China "should deepen the strategic partnership" for cooperation and explore new growth points. "China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue exploring cooperation opportunities under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)," he said. In particular, the ambassador said, they are willing to promote upgrading of industries and digitalization process in Bangladesh, and to improve the quality and competitiveness of “Made in Bangladesh”. He was delivering keynote speech at a symposium as part of the Cosmos Dialogue Ambassadors’ Lecture Series entitled "Bangladesh-China Relations: Prognosis for the Future" at a hotel in Dhaka. The discussion was chaired and conducted by President of Cosmos Foundation and renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury. While delivering the welcome remarks, Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan said Bangladesh and China are moving closer together as friends on the international stage. The ties received a major boost during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China in 2019 and the watershed point of this transformation was President Xi Jinping’s all-important visit to Bangladesh in 2016, he said, adding that this heralded the beginning of the “strategic partnership”. "It is a great source of inspiration to Bangladeshis as we witness China’s peaceful rise. We know from President Xi that the Chinese people have a dream; so do we in Bangladesh as we strive to achieve middle-income status, of which we are on the cusp," Khan said. "It is my firmest conviction that ties with China will continue to form the bedrock of our efforts to fulfill these aspirations," he added. Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said it appears to all of them that China is rising; and the Chinese saw this as a peaceful rise. “Now, being even more careful, they no longer talk of ‘peaceful rise’ but only peaceful development,” he said, adding that established global powers, of course, see this as a threat. Referring to PM Hasina’s visit to Beijing in 2014 and President Xi’s visit to Bangladesh in 2016, he said these visits saw an “all-weather” friendship elevate to a strategic partnership. Dr Iftekhar said Bangladesh-China relations are, therefore, emerging as an equation in the diplomatic calculations in Asia that will not fully show for itself tomorrow, nor the day after but in the long run in a continent where time for many is not the essence. Also Read:Momen sees hope for Rohingyas' repatriation in latest Chinese initiative Ambassador Yao said his country has noticed the “Indo-Pacific Outlook of Bangladesh” released recently, and believes that many of its ideas are similar to those of China.    

Dhaka University (DU) and the Istanbul University of Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in teaching and research, exchange of academics and students, and partnership in scholarly publications.   DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman and Istanbul University Rector Professor Mahmut AK signed the agreement Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present at the online programme. Masud Bin Momen said: "The results of such initiatives are very positive and far-reaching, which can help further accelerate the political, economic and educational cooperation between the two countries." Professor Mahmut said: "Many Bangladeshi students are now studying at Istanbul University. The signing of the MoU will increase the educational and research cooperation between the two universities, which will elevate the friendly bilateral ties a step further." Read more: DU, UPSI sign MoU to set up Centre for Malay Studies Mohammed Nore-Alam, consul general at the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Istanbul, hoped that Bangladesh-Turkey ties would be further deepened and strengthened through the initiative.

Appreciating Bangladesh's support for the Rohingyas, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Thursday said Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) are partners in principles as well as practice. "I am very impressed by the Bangladeshi Government and people’s continued hospitality to the Rohingya refugees. Monumental work has been done by the Government of Bangladesh," she said. The European Commissioner said much as the European Union has this year hosted 4 million Ukrainians under direct threat, Bangladesh has also been standing up to help those people on its borders who are victims of persecutions and violence. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warmly welcomed the European Union’s generous contribution of EUR 3 million to support the continued protection and humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees living on Bhasan Char. The announcement was made at a ceremony with Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, who is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh, and Ita Schuette, Head of UNHCR in Cox’s Bazar, in the presence of Md. Enamur Rahman, State Minister of Disaster Management and Relief. "This contribution from the European Union will enable us to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char, for them to live in safety and with dignity, and to participate in a meaningful life until a durable solution is achieved,” said Ita Schuette. Read: EU announces € 3m for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char “As the United Nations is committed to provide protection and life-saving assistance to the Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char, complementing the project led by the Government of Bangladesh, the sustained and generous support of the European Union remains invaluable”. Enamur Rahman said he is very happy to know that European Union is giving 3 million Euro for the forcefully displaced Rohingya people as humanitarian assistance in Bhasan char.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said his country is determined to develop its partnership with Bangladesh further based on shared interests and for the mutual well-being of people in the coming days. "Our economic development trajectories bode well for a promising future. We will be stronger in every field if we develop our partnership further on this solid foundation," he said. Türkiye is best placed to understand Bangladesh and always stands in solidarity with the government of Bangladesh in the years to come, said the ambassador. In a message marking the Turkish National Day, Ambassador Turan said Turkish investors have already recognized Bangladesh as a land of opportunities, and invested in key sectors of the economy such as energy, consumer goods and ready made garments. "Our trade is booming despite pandemic, expected to reach 1.5 billion USD in 2022," he said, adding that Turkish Airlines have increased the number of their flights to 14 a week. Businesses from the two countries are meeting at online and offline B2B meetings. The envoy highlighted another shared value the two countries have: hospitality towards foreigners and particularly those in need. Both of the countries host millions of refugees, 4 million Syrians in Türkiye and over 1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh. "We set the standards for humanity in taking care of the vulnerable people fleeing persecution and violence," said  Turan. He said 99 years ago, Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye. "This was possible thanks to the sacrifices made by the Turkish nation and the Independence War led by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founding Father of the Republic of Türkiye," said the envoy. Read: Bangladeshi students accorded reception by High Commission in Turkey Turkish people were victorious against the foreign armies also because of the support extended by friendly nations around the world. "Bengali nation was one of them. We will never forget the helping hand of our Bengali brothers and sisters during our most  difficult times," Ambassador Turan said. Turkish War of Independence and establishment of the Republic of Türkiye in October 1923 had sparked joy and inspiration for other nations under occupation at the time. Kazi Nazrul Islam, the revolutionary poet of Bengal, had expressed his admiration for Mustafa Kemal in his epic poem titled “Kemal Pasha”. "His name is given to the most prestigious avenues in Dhaka and Chattogram and a high school in Feni as a sign of respect for what he stood for, freedom and independence," said the Turkish envoy. "Today, rising on the legacy of our Founding Fathers, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, both Türkiye and Bangladesh are thriving countries," he said. On 20 October 2021, the two countries have launched the Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum (BTBF) in Dhaka. Bringing together six major Turkish companies operating in Bangladesh and eleven prominent Bangladeshi companies who are doing business with Türkiye, BTBF will promote better economic and trade relations between the two countries and facilitate partnerships based on our shared values, said Ambassador Turan. "Indeed, our shared values date back to the times of Hazrat Shah Jalal, whose mother was from Konya, the Turkish city where Hazrat Mawlana Jelaleddin Rumi lived and died," said the envoy who visited Sylhet, the city of saints, where Hazrat Shah Jalal’s shrine is revered and visited by millions who respect him and his wisdom. "Konya and Sylhet are sister cities, bringing us closer," he added.

The government of Japan and UNHCR on Wednesday signed a partnership agreement to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The contribution of US$ 3.5 million [JPY 505 million] will be used to maintain access to critical and life-sustaining services for refugees living in the Cox’s Bazar camps and on Bhasan Char. “UNHCR is grateful for the support from the Japanese Government and its people towards Rohingya refugees, and their solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh hosting them,” said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. Japan was the first to support the humanitarian response on Bhasan Char, Klaauw said, adding that its contribution has allowed UNHCR to strengthen local NGO work on the island, including providing protection and access to essential services. As per the agreement, UNHCR will continue its humanitarian response in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char, focusing on providing key services, such as legal and community-based protection, access to health, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition support and core relief items. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki said his country decided to provide assistance to this project, with the strong hope that it will improve the protection, healthcare and livelihood opportunities of the Rohingya population on Bhasan Char, and enhance their security in Cox’s Bazar. Read: UNHCR seeks more support from international community for Rohingyas “During my recent visit to Cox’s Bazar, I saw the dedicated and innovative work of UNHCR and its partners. As the Rohingya crisis has turned into the sixth year, it is imperative to continue funding for better and dignified lives of refugees, while making every effort for the early repatriation to Myanmar,” he said. With the view that durable solutions of this crisis will be conducive to realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region, the envoy said Japan will stand by the government and the people of Bangladesh in supporting the Rohingya response. Skills development and livelihoods activities will be strengthened to provide refugees with the capacities to support their communities and to help them prepare for a safe and sustainable return to Myanmar, once conditions are conducive, according to the UN refugee agency. The crisis is in a protracted situation, and Rohingya refugees’ lives are still dependent on humanitarian assistance. The support from Japan comes at a crucial moment, as the Rohingya response is one of the underfunded refugee situations in the world, it said.    Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the Rohingya response in Bangladesh, contributing over US$ $170 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding.

Bangladesh has sought a “productive partnership” with Portugal and identified trade, connectivity, blue economy, climate action, knowledge sharing, migration and mobility; and people-to-people contact as priority areas. “Two countries can cooperate meaningfully (in these priority areas),” he said while addressing a seminar jointly organized by “Diplomatic Institute of Portugal” and “Macau Scientific and Cultural Center” on the theme “Exploring Deeper Portugal-Bangladesh Relationship” held on Friday. The State Minister said it is indeed time for them to expand bilateral ties from the legacies of the past and take it forward in the future direction of shared prosperity. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs & Cooperation of Portugal Francisco Andre; Bangladesh Ambassador in Lisbon Tarik Ahsan and Professor Jose Mapril also spoke. Also read: Proud to contribute to Bangladesh's impressive development journey: Nordic envoys Apart from the above-mentioned panelists, the seminar also brought together academics, practitioners, some Ambassadors/diplomats based in Lisbon, interns and students as participants who discussed opportunities for deepening the existing relationship between Bangladesh and Portugal. Addressing the seminar, the Secretary of State of Portugal underlined the historic relation between the two peoples that has been re-energized by the presence of the vibrant Bangladeshi community integrated in Portugal. He also identified various avenues of cooperation at bilateral and global levels, and called for concrete actions to materialize them. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s rise in his words: “The journey started 500 years ago and, today, Bangladesh plays an important role in the global network of partnerships in a region of the world that is at the centre of the international agenda and post/pandemic recovery”. Also read: Portugal lauds Bangladesh's growth, stability; seeks wider cooperation Bangladesh Ambassador in Lisbon focused on the present realities and future aspirations of the Bangladesh-Portugal relationship in his deliberation. He stressed the need for continued exchange of high-level visits, like the one by Bangladesh State Minister’s present visit, to sustain and further elevate the existing bilateral relations. He briefed the audience on the ongoing initiatives of Bangladesh Embassy and the future plans for the upliftment of the relations between the two countries. Putting the Bangladeshi migrants at the center of the Bangladesh-Portugal relations, he said, “We look forward to a future when Bangladeshi migrants in Portugal will be empowered enough to play a pivotal role in deepening Bangladesh Portugal relations”. Speaking at the end, Professor Jose Mapril identified heritage and mobility as the connecting factors between Bangladesh and Portugal. He credited the Bangladeshi migrants as the emissary of Bangladesh in Portugal and expressed confidence in their future role in enhancing the ties between the two countries. The State Minister also participated in an interactive question-and-answer session at the close of the panel discussions. After opening remarks by President of Macao Centre Prof. Carmen Amado Mendes, a documentary containing recorded video messages from world leaders on the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence was screened.

Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action Jennifer Morgan on Saturday said they are keen to have stronger partnership with Bangladesh to scale up Bangladesh’s renewables and energy efficiency, accelerating the transition efforts. “We’ve a long history of cooperation with Bangladesh. I’ve come here to listen and learn; and to see what we can do together. I think we’ve much to learn from each other,” she said, noting that multiple benefits clearly come from renewables and efficiency. At a press conference held in a city hotel together with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster, Germany’s first climate envoy said they are running out of time and it is crystal clear that impacts are happening. “We wish to work with the government of Bangladesh on energy efficiency and to look at how to scale up renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts,” said the German climate envoy. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report published on April 4 shows growth in global emissions has slowed over the past decade, but much more needs to be done, including halving global emissions by 2030, to keep the goal of 1.5C in reach and avoid the worst impacts of global warming. The IPCC’s independent report highlights the need for urgent action in decarbonising energy, industry, transport and making homes more energy efficient, to achieve the Paris Agreement’s central goal of keeping a global temperature rise this century to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5C. Morgan, who has lived in Berlin for many years and obtains German citizenship, said she has been “incredibly impressed” by the work of civil societies and NGOs here in Bangladesh and their diversity of approaches, especially those working with the women on the local level. “I think they’re clearly working to help people every single day.” She said a vibrant civil society is “absolutely essential” for sustainable development and their local knowledge and deep training is just “very impressive.”

President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis has highlighted their "stronger than ever partnership" with Bangladesh as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.  President Cassis underlined key areas of future collaboration, including COVID-19 recovery, peace and prosperity, climate change and sustainable development.  On this day five decades ago, Switzerland officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent State.  Read:Certain Bangladesh media coverage of Ukraine war biased against Moscow: Russian Ambassador To commemorate this very significant milestone, the Swiss President extended his greetings to President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.    In his congratulatory messages, the president of Switzerland, emphasized the longstanding collaboration between the two countries in many domains as well as the continuous broadening and deepening of bilateral ties. Being a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Switzerland aims at further "broadening its engagement" with Bangladesh also in multilateral fora to tackle global peace and security challenges. Over the last five decades, Switzerland has been a reliable development and economic partner of the people and government of Bangladesh, says its embassy on Sunday.  Switzerland has invested over CHF 1.2 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) in development assistance in the country, with significant additional contributions channelled through international financial institutions.  Switzerland’s development cooperation focuses on innovative projects benefitting the most vulnerable.  Read:China won’t build military base in Bangladesh: Ambassador Bilateral trade has increased rapidly and today, traded goods amount to over CHF 1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) per year, said the embassy. Most Swiss multinational companies are present in the country and provide critical products, technologies and services in various key socio-economic sectors. 

Bangladesh and Australia have celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations reiterating with the two governments committing to promote meaningful partnership to face regional and global challenges like climate change, forced displacement and regional security. The Australian High Commission in Dhaka hosted a programme at a city hotel on Monday evening, marking the day. Attending the function, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer highlighted the respective government’s commitment to foster bilateral engagement on Covid-19 recovery, trade and investment, education, technology and innovation.