United News of Bangladesh

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey on Monday (November 24) reaffirmed support for the Bangladeshi people’s aspirations for an "inclusive, just and prosperous" future for all Botchwey met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna and discussed the country’s national transition and the Commonwealth’s role in supporting the people’s democratic expectations. "During our meeting, we discussed Bangladesh’s national journey and our renewed partnership to support the Bangladeshi people’s aspirations for an inclusive, just and prosperous future for all," she said after the meeting. The Secretary-General said she is grateful to the Chief Adviser of the interim government and the people of Bangladesh for their generous hospitality. The Chief Adviser sought the Commonwealth’s full support for holding the upcoming general election, scheduled for the first half of February. “We need your support in our democratic transition as well as in the upcoming general election,” he said during the meeting. The Chief Adviser thanked the Secretary-General for her strong interest in Bangladesh’s forthcoming election process. He reaffirmed the Interim Government's commitment to holding a free, fair, credible, and festive election. In response, the Secretary-General assured the Chief Adviser of the Commonwealth’s full support for Bangladesh’s election and the post-election transition, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. “There are vast resources within the Commonwealth—56 countries, including members of the G7 and G20"—that Bangladesh could draw on to strengthen one another, she said. The Secretary-General added that she had held meetings with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Chief Justice, the Law Adviser, Foreign Affairs Adviser and the Chief Election Commissioner, noting, “I’m very hopeful about the future of the country.” She also confirmed that the Commonwealth is preparing to deploy several observer teams ahead of the elections. The two leaders also discussed youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, creating more social businesses and advancing the three-zero vision aimed at reducing unemployment, carbon emissions, and inequality. She also met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We discussed ways to deepen cooperation at the national and international levels in our shared efforts to improve the lives of all Bangladeshi people," said the Secretary-General after her meeting with Foreign Adviser Hossain. Read more: Jatiya Party meets Commonwealth delegation in Dhaka Her first official visit to Bangladesh came ahead of the general election in the country expected to be held in February 2026. On Sunday, Botchwey said their Commonwealth family remains firmly committed to the people of Bangladesh. “I had fruitful discussions with Dhaka-based High Commissioners on how the Commonwealth can continue supporting Bangladesh to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter for the benefit of its people,” she said on Sunday commenting on the meeting. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh, Malaysian High Commissioner Mohd Shuhada Othman, Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Maldives Shiuneen Rasheed, among others, joined the meeting. The Commonwealth Secretary-General also met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and thanked him for updating me on preparations for the upcoming general election. “We discussed the importance of an inclusive and credible process, and how the Commonwealth can support in facilitating the full participation of all Bangladeshis,” she said. She met all major Bangladeshi political parties. "I valued hearing their views for a peaceful, credible and participatory election, as reflected in our Commonwealth Charter," Botchwey said. The Secretary-General said they will always stand with and support Bangladesh on its democratic journey. During her meeting with Chief Justice of Bangladesh Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, the Commonwealth Secretary-General appreciated his reflections on the rule of law and judicial independence – values central to their Commonwealth Charter – and on the judiciary’s role in contributing to inclusive governance under a democratic dispensation. “The Commonwealth will support Bangladesh to build the capacity of its judiciary and benefit from best practices from our family of nations,” she said. Her first meeting in Bangladesh was with youth leaders. “I was moved by their passion as they spoke about this moment of transition and their expectations for a democracy that works for all, for a future they are working hard to shape.” Read more: Bhutanese PM leaves Dhaka after 2-day state visit Botchwey said the Commonwealth will always work alongside their young people to build a just and prosperous future for all. The Commonwealth Secretary-General is listening to a wide range of stakeholders and discussing how the Commonwealth can continue to support the people of Bangladesh at this important moment and beyond. During the engagements, the Secretary-General is briefing stakeholders on the Commonwealth’s new Strategic Plan – which places democracy among its three core pillars – and listens to how tailored support can best assist the people of Bangladesh. Speaking ahead of her visit, Shirley Botchwey described Bangladesh as a valued member of the Commonwealth, noting that it was the first intergovernmental organisation the country joined soon after independence. “The Commonwealth and Bangladesh have a strong partnership, one that matters even more now as the country heads towards the polls next year,” she said.

Bangladesh will participate in the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (37CHMM) to be held on May 17 in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly. Director General of Health Services Dr Namzul Hossain will represent Bangladesh at the meeting, along with senior officials from the country’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, said a media release on Thursday. This will be the first ministerial meeting to be attended by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey since taking office on April 1. Foreign Adviser stresses civilian, peacekeeper protection at UN Berlin summit Chaired by Lesotho’s Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane, the meeting will focus on the theme ‘Investing in Health: Sustainable Financing for an Equitable Commonwealth’. The meeting will also follow up on mandates from the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and discuss updates from the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (September 13, 2023) invited investors from the Commonwealth countries to come to Bangladesh in a bigger way. “Geographically, Bangladesh is at the center of a market of 3 billion people. We have 170 million people of our own. By 2030, the affluent population of Bangladesh will stand at 35 million. Therefore, Bangladesh will become the third largest market globally, leaving behind Germany and the United Kingdom,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing the two-day "Commonwealth trade and investment forum Bangladesh-2023" at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, which is the Commonwealth's accredited business network, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Zi Foundation, a family-run foundation that offers support to vulnerable people, jointly organised the event. End the Ukraine war thru negotiations: PM Hasina tells Russian foreign minister The aim is to promote innovation, trade, investment and economic growth, enhance partnerships and explore ways towards sustainable and inclusive economic development for Bangladesh. The PM said that Bangladesh needs development partners for reaching its goal. “We need more high-quality and sustainable investment to accelerate the economic progress of Bangladesh,” she said. She mentioned that as a prerequisite for Biniyog Bikash, or investment promotion, her government has prioritised organisational reforms, the formation of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), which offering attractive facilities for investors, and ensuring post-investment services. Hasina said that almost all sectors are open for investment in Bangladesh. ‘Why would you call yourselves minority?’: PM to Hindu community But among those, she said, more investment is encouraged in agricultural goods and food processing, leather and leather goods processing, medical equipment, automobiles and shipbuilding, and ICT. “There are promising investment facilities in these sectors, including the easy process of taking back dividends or benefits to your home country,” she said. The premier said that some 70 percent of Bangladesh's foreign direct investment comes from reinvestment, which is a proof of the excellent investment environment that Bangladesh offers to investors. She mentioned that BIDA has started a one-stop fast-track delivery service to facilitate investors with the services of various departments of the government and through this one-stop service, 78 services from 26 departments can be received through one platform. PM Hasina offers land to Japanese businesses to set up industries Mentioning that the pre-requisite for investment is the development of infrastructure, she said that the government has established 100 economic zones, 109 hi-tech and software technology parks, and IT training and incubation centres across the country with attractive incentive packages to promote foreign investors. “We are developing our land, rail, and air connectivity. Almost all highways in the country have been elevated to four or more lanes,” she said. In this connection, she said that the Padma Bridge has connected 21 south-western districts of Bangladesh directly with Dhaka and other parts of the country. “There will be rail connectivity through the Padma Bridge between Dhaka and Khulna soon," she said. Read more: Dhaka, London plan to sign MoUs on economic cooperation, cyber security She said that soon the government will inaugurate the Karnaphuli underwater tunnel, the first such infrastructure not only in Bangladesh but in South Asia. “Work on establishing rail link between Chattogram and tourism town Cox’s Bazar is progressing fast.” Sheikh Hasina said that after winning the election in 2008 and forming the government in 2009, the government has started building the country based on short-, middle-, and long-term programmes. “A democratic environment, political stability, continuity of government, and, above all, structured development programs have helped in the quick socio-economic development of Bangladesh," she stated The prime minister said that the government is working to build a Smart Bangladesh, which will be realised by building the pillars of smart government, smart citizens, a smart economy, and a smart society. “Our goal now is to become a knowledge-based and Developed Smart Country by 2041 and a Prosperous Delta by 2100. We are working relentlessly towards that goal through the Perspective Plan, the Five-Year Plan, and the Delta Plan 2100.” Prime minister's private industry and investment adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hossain Miah, Strategic Advisor (Bangladesh) Of CWEIC Zillur Hussain And Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Chairman Lord Marland also spoke at the programme. PM Hasina also handed over Commonwealth Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Green Investment Award to Eco Brixs from Uganda. A video documentary was screened in the programme. Read more: Russian foreign minister’s recent comment in Dhaka is ‘not the most self-aware’: US State Dept Spokesperson

Foreign ministers at the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), held in London, have called upon Myanmar to comply with the "Provisional Measures’ by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "The world must not forget that it was Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's extraordinary courage, compassion and humanitarian decision to open up border and heart to more than 750,000 Rohingyas in 2017 that saved the world from witnessing a human catastrophe," said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam at the meeting. Highlighting the serious ramifications of the prolonged stay of 1.2 million Rohingyas for Bangladesh and the region, Shahriar said the earliest repatriation of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to their ancestral homeland in Rakhine in safety and dignity remains Bangladesh's compelling priority. He lauded the Gambia for pursuing the ICJ case on the question of Myanmar's accountability and commended Canada, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK for joining the Gambia's side, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Friday. Amid declining foreign attention and assistance, Canada called on the Commonwealth nations to continue their support for the cause of Rohingyas until they can return to their rightful homes in Myanmar. The Gambia appreciated the "outstanding generosity" of Hasina for continued hosting of Rohingyas and urged more Commonwealth countries to join their side in the ICJ case, highlighting the importance of accountability and repatriation issues for a sustainable solution to this protracted crisis. The UK stressed the sustainable return of Rohingyas while the Commonwealth nations expressed solidarity with Bangladesh.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the Commonwealth must do something befitting for Queen Elizabeth II in remembrance of her dedicated service to the forum over the years. She said this during her meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland at her place of residence. According to a press release, the prime minister dubbed the late Queen as a ‘motherly figure’ and recalled her personal memories with the Queen.  The Commonwealth secretary general paid tribute to the Queen for her abiding commitment to the Commonwealth, and expressed her confidence that the legacy would be carried forward by King Charles III as the new Head of the Commonwealth. The PM congratulated the secretary general on her re-election during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June this year. Patricia Scotland lauded  Hasina for her contributions to women’s empowerment, child development, mental health issues, combating climate change and countering violent extremism.   She once again appreciated the prime minister’s leadership in successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic, and observed that those Commonwealth Member States had fared better during the crisis that had women in the lead or had women actively included in the management process. Read: PM Hasina leaves Dhaka to attend 77th UNGA PM Hasina responded positively to the Secretary General’s suggestion on highlighting the female leadership within the Commonwealth family on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. She also committed to partner with the Commonwealth to observe the “Year of Peace” and the “Year of Youth” through commemorative events next year. The secretary general made a particular mention of Bangladesh’s work in nature conservation and disaster management, and invited the prime minister to demonstrate leaderhip in the Commonwealth’s “Living Lands” initiative. She also recalled Bangladesh’s lead engagement with the organisation’s “Blue Charter” initiative. The Bangladesh PM underscored the importance of the Commonwealth’s economic development activities. She expressed satisfaction at the work being done on promoting business-to-business connectivity, with Bangladesh’s active footprint. Among others, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Senior Secretary at Prime Minister’s Office Mohammed Tofazzel Hossain Miah, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem were present.

Bangladesh has been unanimously elected a member of the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the Commonwealth Board of Governors for the term 2022-2024. The Commonwealth Executive Committee consists of sixteen members of which eight are the highest contributing member states and the other eight are elected from the four regions. Bangladesh has been elected a member of the Executive Committee (EC) from Asia-Europe region, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Friday. The Executive Committee is mandated to oversee all matters related to finance, personnel and administration of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Also read: Dhaka seeks greater trade, investment with visa-free Commonwealth regime The Committee also makes policy recommendations for the Commonwealth. Bangladesh has also been unanimously elected as a member of the Commonwealth Accreditation Committee for the term 2022-23. The Committee functions as a sub-committee of the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the Commonwealth Secretariat and comprises eight members. The other members of the Committee include Australia, India, New Zealand, Ghana, Grenada and Fiji. The Committee scrutinizes membership of the new and affiliated body of the Commonwealth.  Unanimous election of Bangladesh to the Executive Committee (ExCo) and the Accreditation Committee is a reflection of Bangladesh's deep commitment, contribution and leadership at the Commonwealth of Nations which was the first international organization where Bangladesh got membership after its independence under the prudent leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said the High Commission. Also read: Dhaka seeks Commonwealth support for Rohingya repatriation High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom and Member of the Commonwealth Board of Governors Saida Muna Tasneem will represent Bangladesh in both Committees. 

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) has hoped that the country would do better in the 22nd Commonwealth Games 2022 in the UK's Birmingham and the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey's Konya. Despite the exclusion of shooting, the discipline which brought all eight medals in the Commonwealth Games for Bangladesh, from the upcoming Birmingham edition, BOA Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza hoped that athletes would put up a better performance in the multi-sport event. "Bangladesh is doing well in shooting and archery at the international level. But this time, shooting has been excluded from the Commonwealth Games. Also, the discipline has been included in the Islamic Solidarity Games as skeet events, in which Bangladesh is not very strong," Reza said at a pre-games press conference in Dhaka Sunday. "However, I believe that the athletes will deliver their best in the international sports competitions and bring laurels for the nation." Read: NZ Rugby calls series loss to Ireland "not acceptable" A 50-member team will represent Bangladesh in seven disciplines – athletics, boxing, gymnastics, swimming, weight-lifting, wrestling, and table tennis – at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held from July 28 to August 8. Weight-lifter Mabia Akther Simanta, who clinched gold medals in the last two South Asian Games, will carry the national flag during the march past of the 22nd edition multi-disciplinary sports event. An 84-member Bangladesh team will participate in the Islamic Solidarity Games 2022, set to be held from August 9 to 18, in 11 disciplines – athletics, archery, fencing, gymnastics, handball, karate, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wrestling, and weight-lifting. Fencer Fatema Mujib, who won a gold medal in the last South Asian Games, will carry the red and green flag in the 5th edition of the multinational, multi-sport event, to be held during August 9-18. Bangladesh Archery Federation President Lieutenant General Mohammad Moinul Islam (retired); BOA Vice-President Sheikh Bashir Ahmed and Information, and Media Committee Member Secretary Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir were also present at the press conference.

The Rohingya crisis has entered its 6th year threatening human security, peace, and stability of the region, the Bangladesh foreign minister has said. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has reiterated that earliest repatriation of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to their ancestral homeland in Rakhine in safety and dignity remains Bangladesh’s compelling priority. Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Momen reiterates Dhaka’s call for expediting verification process Momen raised the issue during his intervention at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held in Rwandan Capital Kigali on Thursday. He appreciated the Commonwealth nations  for incorporating a special text on Rohingya crisis in the Heads of Governments Communiqué.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has joined the Commonwealth ministers meeting on Small States, reassuring Bangladesh’s support in seeking the concrete actions by the international community to build resilience for the climate-vulnerable nations. The foreign minister reached Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), leading an eight-member delegation. He was received by the Bangladesh envoys to London and Nairobi and the high officials from the Rwandan government. This year, CHOGM is taking place from 24-25 June under the theme “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming” with the attendance of more than thirty heads of government. Also read: Encouraged by Malaysia’s leadership on Myanmar crisis: UN expert  In the afternoon, the FM had bilateral meetings with his counterpart, the Foreign Minister of Commonwealth of Dominica Dr. Kenneth M Darroux and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L Peiris where the entire gamut of bilateral and multilateral issues was discussed.  

Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of the Commonwealth, has recognised Kishore Kumar Das, representing Bangladesh, as the 223rd Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of his exceptional voluntary service founding ‘Bidyanondo’, a charity which has improved access to education for over 1,200 children from marginalised backgrounds. Kishore, aged 40, set up ‘Bidyanondo’ in 2013, which started with only 22 students and now runs five primary schools which are free to access, as well as running free academic coaching sessions and scholarship programmes to help children continue into Higher Education.  Kishore has also instigated a meal programme, “Ek takay aahar” (Meal for one penny), which has provided more than 10,000 nutritious meals for vulnerable people, particularly children and those who are homeless. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the charity further ramped up its efforts to distribute relief across the country, with Kishore and volunteers also working to sanitise public spaces and transport and provide ongoing educational, health and nourishment support to those in need. As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, The Queen - as Head of the Commonwealth - is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognising one volunteer from each Commonwealth country every week. By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time. Kishore said: “I feel humbled to reflect on the fact that the world is benefiting from the work that we, the volunteers, are doing. And, the Commonwealth Points of Light validates that. Such honour helps volunteers to determine where our focus should be. I believe this prestigious recognition of 'Bidyanondo' will inspire different charitable organisations to be more humane and beneficiary oriented." “My earnest gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen as the Head of the Commonwealth for the recognition. Also, thanks to the British High Commission in Dhaka for acknowledging the hard work and determination of the volunteers of 'Bidyanondo' across Bangladesh.” Javed Patel, acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said, “My warmest congratulations to Kishore Kumar Das on his Points of Light award. Through this recognition we also acknowledge the inspirational volunteers of 'Bidyanondo Foundation' who are contributing to eradicating hunger, empowering people and improving access to quality education in Bangladesh." "Their outstanding efforts continue to drive young people in Bangladesh and across the world towards the spirit of volunteerism and compassion. This award further strengthens the Brit Bangla Bondhon and the values of the Commonwealth.” The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 54 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brought together leaders from all the 54 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people. Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.