United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding ‘free, fair, and peaceful’ elections, adding that full preparations are underway to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum. “We are fully prepared,” Prof Yunus said, adding that any attempts to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly. The Chief Adviser made the remarks when Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson on Monday paid a farewell call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. During the meeting, they discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, as well as trade, civil aviation, labour reforms initiated by the Interim Government, and overall bilateral relations between the two countries. Prof Yunus welcomes growing Bangladesh-Pakistan engagement Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, appreciated the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months and reiterated the support of the United States government for the February elections, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Monday. The US Chargé d’Affaires lauded the reforms undertaken by the Interim Government and, in particular, praised the ‘truly remarkable and extraordinary’ labour laws, saying they would help attract greater foreign direct investment to Bangladesh. She also commended the Interim Government for withdrawing 45 of the 46 cases that had been filed against the country’s labour leaders under previous governments. In response, the Chief Adviser described the new labour ordinance as an ‘excellent piece of legislation’, adding that leading Bangladeshi labour activists have publicly welcomed the reforms and the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions by the Interim Government. Election to be held on time, Prof Yunus tells US Special Envoy They also discussed funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance. The Chief Adviser thanked the United States for continued support for the Rohingyas. "The United States remains the single largest donor to life-saving humanitarian aid for more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingya living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh," said Prof Yunus, expressing the hope that such support will continue in the future.   The Chief Adviser thanked the US Chargé d’Affaires for her “critical work” during her year-long tenure and for being a ‘friend to Bangladesh’ and extended an invitation to her to visit in future. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, also chairman of the National Cyber Security Council, on Sunday said the government needs to strengthen its technological capacity ahead of the national election and take strict action against all forms of cybercrime. The Chief Adviser directed the National Cyber Security Agency to ensure robust cyber security ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum. The directive came at a meeting of the National Cyber Security Council held at the State Guest house Jamuna with the Chief Adviser in the chair. He said the government is working to bring all citizen services on online platforms and many services are already being delivered digitally at home and abroad. To ensure these services remain secure and uninterrupted, the Chief Adviser said, strengthening cyber security is essential. Professor Yunus instructed the authorities concerned to give special priority to sectors providing citizen services. “Institutions including the Cyber Security Agency that adopt cyber security measures must regularly update their software and hardware, while the personnel involved must also be made more skilled.” Institutions and related personnel should be brought under a rating system so that proper evaluation of cyber security and overall performance becomes easier, he said. Prof Yunus directed the National Cyber Security Agency to play an effective role alongside the judiciary to ensure that no one involved in crimes in the financial sector goes unpunished. At the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb i said 35 institutions have already been listed as Critical Information Infrastructure and suggested including more institutions in the list. He stressed the importance of coordination between the National Cyber Security Agency and the BTRC to prevent rumours, misinformation, disinformation and other cybercrimes surrounding the upcoming election. Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said various measures have already been taken to further strengthen cyber security in the banking sector and more initiatives are in the pipeline. He also praised the initiative to form sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams. Member Secretary of the National Cyber Security Council and Director General of the National Cyber Security Agency Dr Md Tayebur Rahman presented the agency’s activities and future action plans through a PowerPoint presentation. He also detailed the ‘Cyber Incident Reporting and Response System’ designed for receiving complaints of cybercrimes and processing them. Others present at the meeting included Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam and National Board of Revenue Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan. Following the promulgation of the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 on May 21, the National Cyber Security Council was formed on August 26 to ensure cyber security for state institutions and citizens under the amended ordinance.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged senior police officers to uphold their highest level of responsibility and sincerity as the country moves toward what he described as a ‘historic, festive and peaceful’ national election, one that will go beyond the ‘traditional’ election. “This is not an ordinary election. It will be a post-uprising election, different from all traditional elections. Through this election, a new Bangladesh will emerge,” he said, underscoring the importance of the next three months. Prof Yunus made the remarks while addressing the Superintendents of Police (SPs) from all 64 districts, along with other senior police officials, at the Chief Adviser’s Office. The national election is scheduled to be held in the first half of February next year.Speaking about the role of SPs in ensuring a festive and peaceful election environment, Prof Yunus stressed the need for carrying out duties with utmost precision and without mistakes. He said the government is committed to building a stronger institutional structure, one that will never falter. Prof Yunus also briefly reflected on previous controversial elections, mentioning that the police have the opportunity to help bring about positive change by acting without bias.“It is a historic responsibility,” the Chief Adviser added. Prof Yunus called on the SPs to play a role in holding an acceptable election, pointing out that the next election is a historic responsibility for everyone and encouraged them to take the responsibility as a challenge. He said through the uprising they dreamt of a new Bangladesh, and through the upcoming election, they aim to carry that dream forward. Prof Yunus said a referendum will also be held simultaneously during the upcoming general election, which will serve as the basis for building the Bangladesh of the future. Prof Yunus said many delegations and election observers from abroad will come in the upcoming elections. The Superintendents of Police should work towards this so that they can present this election as a wonderful example to the whole world, he said. The Chief Adviser said they have all seen the past elections - some call it a farce election, some call it a fraud. "We have to rise above that and create a new standard."Prof Yunus mentioned that bringing about that change is the major responsibility of the police force. Chinese investors can help transform Bangladesh into manufacturing hub: Prof Yunus He emphasised the initiative and creativity of the officers in making the upcoming elections fair, saying, "Not everything can be written on paper. While performing your duties, you should think about how to do the job more efficiently." Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, among others, was present.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay have reaffirmed their commitment and cooperation at the international, regional and sub-regional platforms, like SAARC and BIMSTEC based on the principles of shared values, mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and a common aspiration for peace and prosperity. They also reaffirmed their commitment to enduring bilateral engagements and cooperation. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Joint Working Group (JWG) to facilitate the development of the Bhutanese Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kurigram and welcomed the ongoing collaborative efforts. The leaders, according to a joint statement issued on Sunday, expressed satisfaction with the status of implementation of the agreement on the movement of ‘traffic-in-transit’, noting that the trial run of goods transport from Chattogram Port to Burimari Land Port is being completed. Bangladesh proposed supplying pharmaceutical products to Bhutan on a government-to-government basis. Bhutan key part of Dhaka’s vision for regional trade, says Prof Yunus Both sides acknowledged that such cooperation would enhance Bhutan’s access to affordable and quality healthcare supplies. At the invitation of the Chief Adviser, the Prime Minister of Bhutan is on a state visit to Bangladesh from November 22 to 24. He is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Thimphu on Monday morning, a senior official told UNB, noting that Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will see him off at the airport. The Bhutanese PM was accompanied by Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Employment; and senior officials of the Bhutanese government. Bangladesh, Bhutan sign 2 MoUs on internet connectivity, health cooperation The visit of Prime Minister Tobgay to Bangladesh is a reaffirmation of the deep-rooted friendship and goodwill that have long defined the relations between the two countries, according to the joint statement. The Chief Adviser hosted a banquet in honour of the Prime Minister of Bhutan on Saturday evening. Both the heads of government held official talks on Saturday in an atmosphere of heartfelt warmth and cordiality reflecting the time-tested friendship between the two countries. The two leaders recognised with deep satisfaction the excellent state of bilateral relations and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including trade, connectivity, and people-to-people connections. Recalling Bhutan as the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country on 6 December 1971, Prof Yunus expressed gratitude for Bhutan's invaluable support during Bangladesh’s fight for independence. Both sides underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and strengthening private sector cooperation. Prime Minister Tobgay also met business leaders from Bangladesh to explore new avenues for economic and commercial collaboration. Bangladesh appreciated the King of Bhutan’s global vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) and conveyed her readiness to extend cooperation in the development of GMC in Bhutan. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the state of ongoing cooperation in various fields such as human resource development, connectivity, tourism and culture. In the presence of the two leaders, two MoUs - MoU on Trade of International Internet Bandwidth and other Telecommunication Services; and MoU on Appointment of Health Workforce were signed. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the cordial welcome and warm hospitality extended to him and the members of his delegation. He extended an invitation to the Chief Adviser to visit Bhutan at a mutually convenient time. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enduring engagements and cooperation between the two countries and their people. BIDA executive chairman Ashik Chowdhury and National Citizen Party leaders separately called on visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at a city hotel on Sunday.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that the upcoming general election will be free, fair and inclusive.   “The election will be participatory. There will be a big turnout,” he said, adding that tens of millions of young people are expected to cast their first ballots, as they had no opportunity to vote during three rigged general elections during the 16-year long autocracy.   Prof Yunus made the remarks on Thursday evening during a meeting with visiting British Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman at the State Guest House Jamuna.   During their discussions, the two leaders covered a wide range of issues, including the February general election, tackling illegal migration, boosting trade, the Rohingya crisis,and enhancing cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors.   Prof Yunus reiterated that the election would be held on schedule in the first half of February, emphasizing that it would be "inclusive and participatory", with a large voter turnout expected, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Friday.   EU supports Bangladesh’s transition under interim govt The Chief Adviser said the Awami League would not be able to take part in the polls as its activities have been suspended under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, and the Election Commission has subsequently removed the party from the official list of registered political parties.   He said the July Charter would mark “a new beginning” for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in the historic July–August uprising last year.   Minister Chapman thanked Professor Yunus’s leadership since assuming charge of the Interim Government, and commended the ongoing dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties over the July Charter.  

The European Union plans to send a large team of election observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming general election, the first such mission since 2008, said EU Ambassador Michael Miller. Ambassador Miller made the announcement during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. He said the EU observer mission is yet to be formally confirmed but could include between 150 and 200 members. Some observers are expected to arrive about six weeks before the election, while others may join a week prior to polling day. “This would be the first time since 2008 that the EU is sending such a full-fledged election observer team to Bangladesh,” Ambassador Miller told the Chief Adviser, adding that the EU would also assist in deploying local election observers during the vote. During the hour-long meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including governance and constitutional reforms, election preparations, judicial and labour reforms, trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and the EU, and the broader political process in the country. Ambassador Miller praised the July National Charter, describing it as a “very important" document aimed at ensuring a smooth democratic transition. Govt welcomes only genuine foreign election observers: Touhid He also commended the recently approved labour law reforms and initiatives to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, calling them ‘notable successes’. “These are all important steps,” he said, emphasising the EU’s continued support for the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections in February. Miller described the upcoming polls as an ‘opportunity to reset the reputation of the country’. The envoy also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a middle-income nation. Both sides discussed ways to deepen trade and investment ties, including prospects for an economic partnership agreement and exploring new opportunities in aviation and shipping. They also agreed to work more closely on tackling human trafficking and illegal migration. The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh is expected to sign an agreement with global shipping giant A.P. Moller–Maersk for the development and management of the Laldia Terminal at Chattogram Port, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Commonwealth to send election observers to Bangladesh: Khosru Ambassador Miller noted that the Danish company plans to invest around $800 million to develop Laldia into one of the top terminals in the region. The two sides also discussed the election environment, candidate eligibility and ensuring due process to uphold human rights ahead of the vote.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday conveyed to the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) that Bangladesh is on track for a ‘peaceful and inclusive’ election, noting that this is going to be a lifetime experience for so many young people. “Half the population of the country is under 27. They will vote for the first time in their life. We want to make sure they are satisfied. We will have a peaceful and festive voting,” said the Chief Adviser when a delegation from the IRI met him at the state guest house Jamuna. The delegation confirmed that the IRI will send at least 10 international observers for Bangladesh’s national election in February. "We will have robust election observation in February," said delegation head Christopher J. Fussner, Member of the Board of Directors of IRI. He said deployment of election observers would help mitigate chances of violence during the vote. Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS); Jessica Keegan, Technical Expert on Democratic Elections and Political Processes at IRI; Steve Cima, Resident Program Director at IRI; and Jami Spykerman, Program Director at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) were present at the meeting. SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed was also present. The team is currently visiting Bangladesh to assess the pre-election environment and is scheduled to meet with all major political parties. IRI delegation meets BNP, discusses upcoming election During the meeting, the delegation shared insights from their previous election observations and exchanged views with the Chief Adviser on electoral reforms. They expressed optimism about the current political atmosphere, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Fussner praised the prevailing atmosphere for the general election in Bangladesh. "All parties want an election. From our experience of the previous election, we can see a positive atmosphere, which feels really good. We could tell the difference between the previous election and this election,” Fussner said. The delegation said it is important to include local observers from civil society, such as student groups, to make the election more transparent. They also talked about the dangers of false information during elections. The Chief Adviser said disinformation is a serious problem. “The biggest threat to democracy today is disinformation. It’s well-planned, well-funded and creates tension immediately. By the time the truth comes out, people have already reacted,” he said. Christopher J. Fussner also raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to fabricate images and manipulate public opinion. Prof Yunus underscored the significance of the July Charter as a unique milestone for the country's democratic journey, noting that all political parties have shown their commitment to reform. “This puts us another step ahead of the election,” he said, adding that most parties have signed the charter and hoped that others would do very soon. The IRI delegates lauded the leadership of Prof Yunus over the last 15 months. "You are doing a great job during the transition," one delegate said. "Everything you have done is absolutely remarkable," said another delegate. The IRI, a non-profit, non-partisan organisation dedicated to advancing democracy and freedom globally, is now assessing the electoral environment in advance of the February 2026 parliamentary elections. The IRI team deployed its pre-election assessment mission to Bangladesh from October 20 and they will continue to engage until October 23. US-based IRI assessing environment ahead of Feb polls 

Chief Adviser and head of the National Consensus Commission will hold a meeting with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy this (Wednesday) evening as the signing ceremony of the ‘July National Charter 2025’ will be held on October 17 at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The meeting will begin at 6pm (Wednesday) and representatives from all political parties will attend it to discuss the overall preparations for this event and other issues, an official told UNB. The National Consensus Commission on Tuesday sent the final version of the July National Charter to political parties, seeking their firm commitment to its full implementation. All political parties to sign July Charter, hopes Asif Nazrul Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Consensus Commission was held at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday chaired by the Chief Adviser. In the meeting, Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz, Commission members were present. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah were also present at the meeting.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has expressed his interest in visiting Bangladesh in the coming months, hoping it would strengthen ties between the two nations. President Lula made the announcement during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the FAO-organised World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event in Rome on Monday, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Both leaders served as keynote speakers at the forum and later held a bilateral meeting at the FAO headquarters to discuss matters of mutual interest, including social business, universal healthcare, social inclusion and strategies to combat poverty. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser formally invited President Lula to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. President Lula accepted the invitation, expressing his intention to make the trip by February. “I will go to Bangladesh,” he affirmed, adding that Brazil is keen to share its experience in providing universal healthcare for its citizens and to learn from Bangladesh’s pioneering work in social business and microcredit. Prof Yunus lauds Mayor of Rome for supporting Bangladeshi community “That would be fantastic!” Prof Yunus responded. The two leaders also explored opportunities for cooperation in areas such as deep-sea fishing, pharmaceuticals, including the push to make vaccines patent-free and affordable, climate change action ahead of the upcoming COP30 summit, and the recent youth-led uprising in Bangladesh in July 2024. Prof Yunus recalled his earlier engagements in Brazil, including his 2008 meeting with the then-president and his October 2023 tour of major Brazilian cities. President Lula extended an invitation to Prof Yunus to participate in COP30, which will be held in an Amazonian state to draw global attention to the fight to protect the world's largest tropical rainforest. The Chief Adviser thanked President Lula for the invitation, but he noted that he might not attend the COP 30, citing his involvement in preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming general election, scheduled for the first half of February.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday appreciated the Mayor of Rome for supporting the Bangladeshi community, stating that  their successful cultural integration and contributions both to Italian society and the Bangladeshi economy. "Thank you for taking good care of the Bangladeshi migrants," Prof Muhammad Yunus said during a meeting with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, at his office. He said the Bangladeshi migrants in Italy are contributing to the host economy and the country back home by sending vital remittances. Djibouti PM meets Chief Adviser, seeks advice on microfinance "They are now culturally integrated here. Many chefs in the top Italian restaurants are from Bangladesh," Prof Yunus said. Mayor Gualtieri also commended the Bangladeshi diaspora for their positive role in Rome’s multicultural landscape, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. He warmly welcomed Prof Yunus to his office, located amidst the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire, dating back to the era of Julius Caesar. From his balcony, he offered the Chief Adviser a brief tour of the historic Roman Senate and surrounding archaeological sites. The Mayor also presented a commemorative plaque to Prof Muhammad Yunus during a meeting at his office. The plaque features a carved image of the Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius and has recently been gifted to several world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. During their bilateral meeting, the two leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cultural ties between Rome and Bangladesh, especially considering the presence of over 50,000 Bangladeshi nationals living in the Italian capital. Their discussions further touched on topics like Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, safe migration and the possibility of a future visit to Bangladesh by the Italian Prime Minister. Also present at the meeting were SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Italy Rokebul Haque.