Cosmos Foundation
Japan to grab any opportunity to resolve Rohingya crisis for regional stability
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito has said Japan will seize the opportunity to find a “long-term and lasting solution” to the Rohingya crisis with the Myanmar side, noting that the issue is very relevant to the future stability of the entire region.
“What we can say right now is Japan will seize the opportunity to raise this very, very important issue with the Myanmar side and its military now whenever appropriate,” he said.
The Japanese envoy said his country will do its best to create an enabling environment for the early repatriation of Rohingyas and will continue to raise the issue with the Myanmar side whenever appropriate.
He was responding to a question at a virtual dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Japan Relations: Prognosis for the Future” where he delivered the keynote speech.
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue as a part of its ongoing Ambassador’s Lecture Series.
The opening remarks were delivered by the Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan. The session was chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Md Abul Kalam Azad, Special Envoy, Climate Vulnerable Forum; Hayakawa Yuho, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office; Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former Governor, Bangladesh Bank; Prof Masaaki Ohashi, Professor, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo; Manzurul Huq, Columnist, writer and academic; Prof Takahara Akio, Dean, Graduate School of Public Policy, the University of Tokyo and Ambassador (retd) Tariq A Karim, Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation comprised the panel of discussants.
Also read: Ambassador Ito sees 5 challenges ahead to elevate Dhaka-Tokyo ties
Ambassador Ito said humanitarian assistance and humanitarian crises are very much part of their vision when they talk about stability and peace of the region.
He said it is very difficult to predict what is going to happen in Myanmar right now in light of the current situation in that country since the February 1 military coup with a complete standoff.
BD-Japan relations: Ito’s 5 challenges in keynote drive interest in event premiere
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito provides the centrepiece, as experts from Bangladesh and Japan are brought together (in the safety of cyberspace) by Cosmos Foundation, for a dialogue on the bilateral relations between two important partners in growth, development, and increasingly trade. The keynote address at the online symposium titled “Bangladesh-Japan Relations: Prognosis for the Future”, will be delivered by Ambassador Ito, who has now served in the post for slightly more than 18 months.
Read: Japan to send 2.9 mn doses of AstraZeneca vaccine for Bangladesh: Envoy
A key thrust of the ambassador’s address will be the identification of 5 challenges, that he believes must be overcome in order for the bilateral relationship to fully thrive in the years ahead.
Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan will set the stage in his opening remarks for a richly engaging discussion, that premieres tonight (Sunday, 8PM BST) on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
As is by now customary for the Foundation’s flagship events, chairing the proceedings will be the renowned scholar-diplomat, as well as adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
Read: ‘Thanks Japan’, Dr Momen says over vaccine supply It would be the latest instalment in the Foundation’s ‘Ambassador Lecture Series,’ where a foreign emissary based in Dhaka is invited to deliver a keynote, before engaging at length with a high-level panel of experts, who are chosen for their particular knowledge and experience relating to the day’s topic. For the edition premiering tonight – and thereafter available for viewing at any time - the expert panel comprises Md Abul Kalam Azad, Special Envoy, Climate Vulnerable Forum; Hayakawa Yuho, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office; Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former Governor, Bangladesh Bank; Prof Masaaki Ohashi, Professor, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo; Manzurul Huq, columnist, writer and academic; Prof Takahara Akio, Dean, Graduate School of Public Policy, the University of Tokyo and Ambassador (Retd) Tariq A Karim, Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation.
Read:Cosmos Dialogue on Dhaka-Washington ties premieres Saturday on Facebook Cosmos Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Bangladeshi conglomerate the Cosmos Group. Registered to operate under a trust structure since 2016, it is committed to bringing together the finest minds from home and abroad onto common fora - such that they elicit strategic insights and policy solutions for the most pressing issues facing Bangladesh, as it charts its course towards a future that is ever-brighter.
Don’t forget to catch the premiere via Facebook of the entire discussion tonight, at 8pm BST. Thereafter it will be available for viewing entirely at your discretion and convenience, from Cosmos Foundation’s Facebook page, as well as the www.facebook.com/unbnewsroom page. You can also catch up on previous editions.
China does not consider India a strategic rival: Ambassador Li Jiming
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has emphasized that China never takes India as a “strategic rival” rather they consider India a good neighbour of China.
“I would say, we never take India as a strategic rival. We still hope that the China-India relationship can be improved. So, never imagine that China would like to have any hostile or rival attitude to India. That’s not the case,” said the envoy.
Read: Never worry about any 'debt trap': Beijing to Dhaka
He made the remarks while responding to a question at an online symposium titled “Bangladesh-China Relations: Prognosis for the Future” hosted by the Cosmos Foundation and premiered on its Facebook page on Thursday evening.
Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan delivered the opening remarks at the event while Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government, chaired the session.
Ambassador (retd) Tariq A. Karim, CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, former Foreign Secretary Shamsher M. Chowdhury, Assistant Researcher of the Institute for International Studies at Yunnan University Dr Zou Yingmeng, Assistant Research Fellow at China Institute of International Studies Dr Ning Shengnan, former Ambassador Serajul Islam and Dhaka University Professor Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir comprised the panel of discussants.
The Chinese Ambassador mentioned a number of platforms where the two countries are working together. “We’re still working very, very well together, very closely.”
Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Beijing assures to act as bridge to facilitate early results
Ambassador Li, as the Chinese Ambassador to India’s neighboring country - Bangladesh, hoped that this China-India relationship would be improved more in the future.
Historically, they envoy said, they have more than 2000 to 3000 years of good relationship with India, and any Chinese intellectual like himself has a special feeling for Indian culture.
“Any Chinese intellectual, who is well-educated, would have a special feeling. A good feeling, towards India - that is something untold publicly probably,” he said.
Enayetullah Khan fondly recalled interviewing the present Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing back in 2004 (when he was the Vice-Foreign Minister) when Minister Yi talked about new foreign policy which is good neighborly relations with their neighbors.
“I asked, where does Bangladesh stand? His immediate answer was – Bangladesh could be the bridge between India and China,” Khan said, going down his memory lane.
As one of the discussants raised the Quad issue - the 4-country alliance between the USA, Australia, Japan and India, that is seen as anti-Beijing. The Ambassador took the opportunity to explain what he said on the issue of Bangladesh possibly being invited to join, at a particular programme.
“As an Ambassador to Bangladesh, the first foreign policy lesson I learned is that Bangladesh adheres to the idea of "friendship to all and malice to none." So, I have full confidence that Bangladesh will not be part of that small clique,” he said.
“But when I was asked if you would like to see or do you think this is a good idea for Bangladesh to do so, of course, I would say no. What else can you expect from me? Should I say yes? That would have been ridiculous. So that is the story about Quad,” Ambassador Li added.
He said he has full confidence and China has full confidence in Bangladesh that it would never take part in any small clique, especially involving military or security purposes. “This is the history that already taught us that Bangladesh would never do that.”
The example of Sri Lanka came up in the context of a country that fell into a “debt trap” as a result of public investment projects financed by China.
Ambassador Li, who delivered the keynote address at the symposium, however said there is no proven evidence that China created any 'debt trap' in any country, including in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“I think you have an excellent system and you’ve excellent officials and Ministers to take care of that. So, never worry about that,” said the Ambassador.
Referring to an article he read regarding Sri Lanka's debt situation, the Chinese envoy said the total Chinese debt accounts for only less than 8 percent of the whole debt of that country and of this 8 percent Chinese debts, much less is related to the Belt and Road projects.
The Ambassador also said there is governmental to governmental debt, which is normally a soft, concessional loan with a very low interest and for a very long period of time.
Dr. Debapriya of CPD said China has emerged as a big financial investor in Bangladesh involving major projects and those projects have major infrastructural implications.
Rohingya Repatriation: Beijing assures to act as bridge to facilitate early results
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said China will continue to serve as a “bridge of communication and try its best to facilitate early results” as Bangladesh seeks early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
“We fully understand the keenness of Bangladesh to start repatriation, and our determination to help the two friendly neighbours resolve this long-standing issue will never change,” he said while speaking at an online symposium hosted by the Cosmos Foundation.
While delivering the keynote speech, Ambassador Li said the sudden change in Myanmar earlier this year - the coup in February - caught them all by surprise, and created some uncertainties over the repatriation process.
Read:Never worry about any 'debt trap': Beijing to Dhaka
Right now, he said, China is closely observing the situation in Myanmar, hoping the country could return to normal soon.
Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan delivered the opening remarks at the symposium titled “Bangladesh-China Relations: Prognosis for the Future” which premiered on its Facebook page on Thursday evening.
Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government, chaired the session.
Ambassador (retd) Tariq A. Karim, CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, former Foreign Secretary Shamsher M. Chowdhury, Assistant Researcher of the Institute for International Studies at Yunnan University Dr Zou Yingmeng, Assistant Research Fellow at China Institute of International Studies Dr Ning Shengnan, former Ambassador Serajul Islam and Dhaka University Professor Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir comprised the panel of discussants.
Read:Get ready as major shift taking place in global economy: FM
Former Ambassador Tariq Karim said, “I would request China to support us in our efforts to augment regional and sub-regional cooperation on a number of issues which will have consequences with China, particularly in resolving the Rohingya issue, not just in Bangladesh, but particularly in its point of origin where China has the capacity to help us resolve it.”
Metaphorically speaking about the current volatile situation in Myanmar, he said he sees the flame in the centre and it is at the point of imploding, and imploding Myanmar will lead to an explosion that will not leave any country, including China, Bangladesh, India and any of the Asean countries, untouched.
Symposium on Bangladesh-China relations to be premiered Thursday
An online symposium on Bangladesh-China Relations: Prognosis for the Future, hosted by Cosmos Foundation, will be premiered on its Facebook page at 7pm on June 24.
The keynote address at the symposium was delivered by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming which was recorded on Saturday.
Read:Cosmos Dialogue on Dhaka-Washington ties premieres Saturday on Facebook
Experts both from Bangladesh and China were brought together to assess the state of relations between Bangladesh and China and identify the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the efforts to take it forward.
Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan delivered the opening and closing remarks at the event.
Renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury chaired the session.
Read:‘The Black Story’ exhibition by Gallery Cosmos launched virtually
Ambassador (retd) Tariq A. Karim, CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, former Foreign Secretary Shamsher M Chowdhury, Assistant Researcher of the Institute for International Studies at Yunnan University Dr Zou Yingmeng, Assistant Research Fellow at China Institute of International Studies Dr Ning Shengnan, former Ambassador Serajul Islam and Dhaka University Professor Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir joined it as the panel of discussants drawn from both sides.
The full video of the event will be available for viewing on the Facebook page of the Cosmos Foundation, and (elsewhere) from Thursday at any time, following the premiere.
In Cosmos Foundation’s Ambassador Lecture Series, the envoys of various countries stationed in Dhaka are invited to deliver a keynote, before engaging with a high-level expert panel on bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the country they represent.
Read:US Ambassador Miller visits art exhibition on PM at Cosmos Centre
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of conglomerate the Cosmos Group, brings together the finest minds to arrive at a prognosis for the future of the relationship, in line with its commitment to eliciting strategic insights and policy solutions for Bangladesh as it charts its course toward a future that is ever brighter.
Doraiswamy’s keynote to stimulate dialogue on Indo-Bangla relations
An array of experts from Bangladesh and India have been brought together for an online symposium hosted by the Cosmos Foundation to assess the state of relations between the two countries and identify the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the effort to take it forward.
The keynote address at the symposium titled ‘Bangladesh-India relations: Prognosis for the Future’ will be delivered by Vikram Doraiswamy, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.
Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan will deliver the opening remarks at the event, which is set to premiere on the Facebook page of Cosmos Foundation at 8pm BST on Thursday.
Also read: Bangladesh-India bilateral talks begin at PMO
Renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury will chair the session.
It is the latest instalment in Cosmos Foundation’s Ambassador Lecture Series, in which the envoys of various countries stationed in Dhaka are invited to deliver a keynote, before engaging with a high-level expert panel on bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the country they represent.
For this edition, the panel of discussants drawn from both sides of the border will comprise Ambassador (Retd.) Tariq A. Karim, Professor C. Raja Mohan, Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Dr.Debapriya Bhattacharya, Major Gen. (Retd.) A. N. M. Muniruzzaman, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Brig. Gen.(Retd.) Shahedul Anam Khan, and Ambassador (Retd.) Krishnan Srinivasan.
Also read: Bangladesh-India to strengthen ties through mega events in 2021
The full video of the event will be available for viewing on the Facebook page of Cosmos Foundation, and (elsewhere) from Thursday at any time, following the premiere.
Over the better part of the last 12 years, India and Bangladesh have diligently forged a warm and friendly relationship that has been described as a textbook example of a neighbourly relationship.
The essence of the bond between the two countries lies in a shared heritage of culture and history that can never be erased, which culminated during Bangladesh’s struggle for independence in 1971.
Also read: Doraiswami for infrastructure dev to boost Bangladesh-India trade
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance as the most honoured chief guest during Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee celebrations of independence just last month, served to reiterate that the two countries are experiencing a ‘golden age’ in their relationship.
Against this backdrop, Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of conglomerate the Cosmos Group, brings together the finest minds to arrive at a prognosis for the future of the relationship, in line with its commitment to eliciting strategic insights and policy solutions for Bangladesh as it charts its course toward a future that is ever-brighter.
'50 Springs of Freedom’ art camp ends in Chattogram
As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the country’s Independence, a 4-day exclusive Art Camp of Gallery Cosmos titled ’50 Springs of Freedom’ concluded in Chattogram on Sunday.
The camp, with a collective vision to portray the jovial vibes of Spring blossoms blending with the festive occasion of the glorious 50 years celebration of country’s Independence, was hosted by Hidden Her Foundation with support of Cosmos Foundation.
Regarding the camp, Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of the Cosmos Foundation said, "Bangladesh has paved a long route to reach this glorious destination of the Golden Jubilee of our Independence, and we are fortunate to have the beautiful natural landscape alongside many talented, world class Bangladeshi artists. This exclusive art-camp is part of the continuous artistic ventures taken by Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Foundation, and we are really honored to initiate this special art-camp with all these prolific and talented artists in this special time."
Also read: Gallery Cosmos art camp on PM Hasina begins
Eight leading and promising Bangladeshi painters participated in the four day-long camp at the beautiful setting of Finley Hill in the port city, in quest for exploring the innate and everlasting connection between human and nature, and celebrate the unified harmony of brush, color and canvas through their jovial artistic expertise.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), visited the Art Camp on Saturday, and lauding the initiative, he said, "An initiative like this in our beautiful and majestic port city Chattogram, celebrating the vibrant color of our 50th Spring is highly appreciated - and I am extremely glad to be here, specially when the country is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence. I truly admire this tremendous initiative taken by Gallery Cosmos and thanking the Hidden Her Foundation for hosting this wonderful Art Camp with support from Cosmos Foundation, participated by all these talented and respected artists in this peaceful and picturesque landscape."
Earlier, Dr Rubana Huq, BGMEA President and Mohammed Rahim, Vice Chairman of DBL Group, were present at the inaugural event of the four-day-long special camp on Friday.
Also read: Zonta Club's ‘Strokes Against Violence' art camp calls for united awareness
“We usually do not see this type of exclusive initiative, especially in a beautiful and peaceful setting like this. I am really honored and pleased to be here among these known faces, in such a glorious occasion, initiated by Gallery Cosmos and hosted by Hidden Her Foundation,” Dr Rubana Huq lauded the camp.
Explaining the initiative, Hidden Her Foundation Founder and Director Sunehra Z Islam said, “We would not have been able to celebrate and enjoy the color of nature in an independent country, if we did not earn our freedom and liberty in such a heroic way. To celebrate the essence of freedom and the vibrant nature of Spring, we are pleased and proud to host this special art-camp."
The list of stalwart participated in the camp is featuring a unique team of eminent and promising artists, including Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Anisuzzaman Anis, Anukul Chandra Mojumder, Azmeer Hossain, Bishwajit Goswami, Abdullah Al Bashir & Mong Mong Sho.
Also read: BSA initiates ‘Art Against Corona’ art camp with 300 artists
"As a proud and independent nation, we have paved a long way through the last 50 Springs. Initiatives and artistic ventures like this, remind us about the unity and harmony that was channeled among the people through the historic March 7th speech of Bangbandhu, which eventually brought us victory and liberty in 1971. Celebrating and showcasing the picturesque beauty of Spring is the motto of this camp, and we are pleased to join this venture," artist Bishwajit Goswami said about the camp.
Regarding the camp, Executive Artistic Manager of Gallery Cosmos Sourav Chowdhury said, "Celebrating the glorious occasion of our 50 years celebration of Independence, alongside harmonizing the artistic essence of 50 Springs that we have explored and celebrated till date, Gallery Cosmos and the host Hidden Her Foundation, is proudly organizing this special art camp with support from the Cosmos Foundation."
News agency United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the Media Partner of the event.
'50 Springs of Freedom’ art camp to begin in Chattogram on Independence Day
As part of the year-long special events and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Independence, Gallery Cosmos is arranging an exclusive Art Camp titled ’50 Springs of Freedom’ on Friday (March 26, 2021), also the Independence Day of Bangladesh.
With a collective vision to portray the colorful vibes of Spring, the king of all seasons, blending with the festive occasion of the glorious Golden Jubilee celebration of freedom - Hidden Her Foundation will host the special art camp, with support from the Cosmos Foundation.
Also read: ‘The Black Story’ exhibition by Gallery Cosmos launched virtually
In quest for exploring the innate and everlasting connection between human and nature, and celebrate the unified harmony of brush, color and canvas through their jovial artistic expertise, eight leading and promising painters of the country will participate in the four day-long camp from March 26 at Finley Hill, Chattogram.
The list of stalwart participators in the camp is featuring a unique team of eminent and promising artists, including Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Anisuzzaman Anis, Anukul Chandra Mazumder, Azmeer Hossain, Bishwajit Goswami, Abdullah Al Bashir & Mong Mong Sho.
Also read: Enthralling artworks showcase Sheikh Hasina's eventful life at Gallery Cosmos
Regarding the camp, Executive Artistic Manager of Gallery Cosmos Sourav Chowdhury said, "To celebrate the glorious occasion of our 50 years celebration of Independence alongside harmonizing the artistic essence of 50 Springs with all of its vibrant colors, Gallery Cosmos and host Hidden Her Foundation, is proudly organizing this special art camp with support from the Cosmos Foundation."
The art camp will conclude on March 28. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) is the Media Partner of the event.
Also read: Curtain rises on first-ever virtual exhibition on Bangabandhu by Gallery Cosmos
Afro-South Asia in the Global African Diaspora
In a fascinating international webinar titled ‘Afro-South Asia in the Global African Diaspora’ which took place as part of a series of intellectual interventions for The Black Story project, a virtual interactive exhibition - Nahar Khan, curator of The Black Story and Executive Director of Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Foundation, and Dr Kenneth X Robbins, who is a well-known and prolific researcher, archivist and curator of historical pieces and artworks, delve into conversations recently, on the historical and unexplored ties between the African and South Asian communities.
Alongside being a collector and an independent scholar, Dr Robbins has curated more than a dozen Indian exhibits and five scholarly conferences. In addition to publishing more than 120 articles, he co-edited a three-volume series on Afro-South Asia in the Global African Diaspora; addressing ‘African Rulers and Generals in India’, ‘African Diasporan Communities Across South Asia’ and ‘Black Ambassadors of Politics, Religion and Jazz in India’.