US
Bangladeshi American data scientist Dr. Rumman Chowdhury among US Science Envoys for 2024
The US Department of State has selected four distinguished scientists to serve as Science Envoys for 2024.
They are Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Dr. Stephanie “Steffi” Diem, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Dr. Dawn Wright.
Through the US Science Envoy Program, eminent American scientists and engineers leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation to advance solutions to shared challenges, champion innovation, and demonstrate America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.
The scientists selected to participate in 2024 make up the first all-female cohort in the history of the US Science Envoy Program, said the US Department of State.
The US Science Envoy program was established by the Secretary of State in 2010.
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Like their 30 predecessors, the 2024 Cohort will travel as private US citizens to engage internationally with civil society as well as government interlocutors.
Science Envoys help inform the Department of State, other US government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.
The State Department selected the 2024 cohort to take advantage of their expertise in key issues facing the world today: Artificial Intelligence, Fusion Energy, Civil Use of Space, and Ocean Sustainability.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhury is a data scientist and social scientist. She is the CEO of Humane Intelligence, a technology nonprofit that builds a community of practice around evaluations of artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Dr. Chowdhury is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.
Previously, Dr. Chowdhury served as Director of the Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability team at Twitter, as well as the Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence.
Read: UN envoy: Finding that some hostages were victims of sexual violence doesn’t justify Israeli attacks
She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People in AI, BBC’s 100 Women, Worthy Magazine’s top 100, the Bay Area’s top 40 under 40, and Forbes’ labeled her one of Five Who are Shaping AI.
Dr. Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from MIT, a M.S. in Quantitative Methods of the Social Sciences from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, San Diego.
US honours Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Fawzia Karim with 2024 International Women of Courage Award
The United States has honoured Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Fawzia Karim Firoze with 2024 International Women of Courage Award.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and First Lady Jill Biden hosted the annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards ceremony at the White House on March 4 (US time).
Other awardees are Benafsha Yaqoobi (Afghanistan), Volha Harbunova (Belarus), Ajna Jusić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Myintzu Win (Myanmar), Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello (Cuba), Fátima Corozo (Ecuador), Fatou Baldeh (The Gambia), Fariba Balouch (Iran), Rina Gonoi (Japan), Rabha El Haymar (Morocco) and Agather Atuhaire (Uganda).
Secretary Blinken said the United States stands with every woman of courage working to build greater stability, greater equality, and greater opportunity.
"And we are committed to knocking down the barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential," he said at the ceremony.
Read more: Dr Shehlina receives honorary British award
"That’s why championing the rights of women and girls in all of their diversity is a central part of our foreign policy," Blinken said.
Over the past three years, he said they have put forward concrete strategies, policies, and programmes to support women and girls around the world.
"It’s not simply rhetorical, it’s practical, from increasing their political participation to ensuring that they’re parts of things like the clean energy transition," Blinken said.
Last year, US President Joe Biden requested a doubling of foreign aid to promote gender equity abroad – an historic $2.6 billion.
Fawzia has fought for the rights of marginalized groups for more than three decades, said the US State Department of State.
She is currently the head of her own law chamber and serves as the Chairperson for the Foundation for Law and Development (FLAD).
Read more: Bangladesh's Fawzia Karim named among International Women of Courage Award recipients for 2024
Under her leadership, FLAD won a ruling determining that the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy of 2015 was inadequate to protect the rights of domestic workers.
Fawzia has personally filed approximately 3,000 cases on behalf of garment workers against their employers and helped establish the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF) and the Domestic Workers Guidelines, said the US Department of State on Friday.
Read more: Shahin Howlader receives honorary award in NY
US to work with Bangladesh to ‘enhance economic investment’ in next 50 years and beyond
The United States has said it looks forward to working with Bangladesh to "enhance economic investment" over the next 50 years and beyond.
The visiting US delegation met Salman F Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to PM Sheikh Hasina, to hear how government and private companies are collaborating.
Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, are on a three-day visit to Bangladesh.
For over 50 years, the US has partnered with the government and the people of Bangladesh, providing over $8 billion to tackle issues like public health, education, energy, environment, food security, natural disasters, and more.
Read: Want to create a new chapter in our relations: Foreign Minister says after meeting with US delegation
The United States is one of the largest investors in Bangladesh and its largest single country export market, said the US Embassy in Dhaka.
"Our leadership from Washington D.C. joined local economic experts to discuss a range of issues impacting the bilateral trade relationship," said the US Embassy.
The United States "stands ready" to help Bangladesh create a business climate that attracts more investment from the US.
The delegation discussed ways to improve the business environment, making investment in Bangladesh more attractive to American companies.
Read: Bangladesh-US relations will be stronger based on environment, climate actions: Environment Minister
The three officials, according to the US side, are visiting Bangladesh to discuss with the government of Bangladesh ways to "strengthen diplomatic ties, address challenges, and promote a shared vision for the advancement of mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region."
They also met Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, civil society representatives, labour leaders, youth activists and those engaged in developing a free and uncensored media.
"We discussed with the Foreign Minister how our two countries can work on mutual interests, including economic development, security, refugees, climate, labor, and trade," said the US Embassy in a separate message after the meeting.
Bangladesh is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.
Read more: US Deputy Assistant Secretary meets Bangladeshi civil society members including Zillur and Adilur
US says will continue to take steps to deepen partnership with Bangladesh
The United States will continue to take steps to deepen partnership with Bangladesh.
"There are a number of steps that we have and will continue to take when it comes to deepening our partnership with Bangladesh," said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel during a regular briefing at the US Department of State in Washington on January 22.
The US official made the remark when a journalist wanted to know what specific action the US is considering to deepen its partnership with Bangladesh.
Read more: No possibility of any 'diplomatic crisis' in country: Law Minister
Patel specifically mentioned cooperation in addressing climate issues and security where the US believes there is opportunity.
"Of course, through that there – we have the opportunity to also engage with non-government actors as well, which we believe is also key and critical to deepening this relationship also," Patel said.
After the formation of the new government, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and discussed how the two countries would work together on issues of mutual importance such as climate change, business opportunities, and the Rohingya crisis.
“I look forward to working closely in the coming months to advance our relations based on mutual interest,” Haas said.
Read more: China keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh
US rules out notion of not recognising Hasina government
The United States has ruled out any perception that it does not recognise Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fourth straight term.
At a regular briefing at the US Department of State on January 18, a journalist asked, “So, when you say that the election results in Bangladesh were not credible, free, or fair, does this imply that the US will not recognize Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fourth straight term?”‘
In reply, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “No, no.”
US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson
Miller said they are now encouraging the government of Bangladesh to credibly and transparently investigate the reports of violence, to hold perpetrators accountable.
“We urge all parties to reject political violence,” he said.
Miller said the US remains concerned by the arrest of political opposition members and by the reports of irregularities on election day.
US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson
“We regret that not all parties participated, and we condemn the violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it,” he said.
On Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and discussed how the two countries would work together on issues of mutual importance such as climate change, business opportunities and the Rohingya crisis.
“I look forward to working closely in the coming months to advance our relations based on mutual interest,” Haas said.
Free, fair and peaceful’ election continues to be the focus of US’ engagement with Bangladesh govt: State Dept Spokesperson
Peter Haas, Charles Whiteley to meet Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today
Amid continuous greetings from Bangladesh's international friends and partners to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election, ambassadors of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) are set to meet Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (January 17, 2024) at his office.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, who was criticised in the political arena before the January 7 national election, will meet the foreign minister at 12 pm today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Later, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley will meet Minister Hasan Mahmud at 1 pm, according to the minister’s programme schedule.
Peter Haas to spend Christmas with family in India
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed her new cabinet on January 11 with a combination of new and old faces.
Even though the United States concluded that the election was not “free or fair,” it voiced commitment to work with Bangladesh.
The US ambassador also attended the oath-taking ceremony held at Bangabhaban recently.
“Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,” said US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller a day after the election.
The European Union (EU) said it will continue to work with the government of Bangladesh on the priorities that characterise their longstanding relations in the political, human rights, trade and development spheres including the country’s possible future access to the GSP+ preferential trade scheme.
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"The EU strongly encourages all stakeholders to respect political pluralism, democratic values and international human rights standards and to engage in peaceful dialogue," said High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles in a statement on behalf of the EU.
It is essential that the media, civil society and political parties can carry out their work without censorship or fear of reprisals, said the EU.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met the foreign minister on Monday.He was the first foreign envoy to meet the foreign minister after formation of the new Cabinet.
Ruling out any external pressure, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will stick to its foreign policy principle – “friendship to all, malice towards none” – against the backdrop of a divided world.
US Ambassador Peter Haas holding meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen
“All the countries in the East and the West have expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave for Uganda on Wednesday night to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
All countries in the East and West willing to work with us: FM Hasan Mahmud
Ruling out any external pressure, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will stick to its foreign policy principle – “friendship to all, malice towards none” – against the backdrop of a divided world.
“All the countries in the East and the West have expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshed Alam were present at the time.
Meeting reporters for the first time after taking oath as the foreign minister, Hasan said the world is gradually becoming divided and it is a challenge in this changing scenario.
Apart from forging deeper friendships with all the countries, he said the government values their concerns, too.
“There had been many pressures centering the election. The election was held overcoming all those pressures. We never allowed us to feel any pressure from anyone. We will work together with all,” he said.
Read more: Hasina’s commitment to amplifying voices of climate vulnerable nations truly commendable: CVF
Responding to a question, he said they will have no problem in working together with all as Bangladesh has willingness to get closer to all. “We want to be with all. That is our strength.”
The foreign minister laid emphasis on sending skilled manpower abroad, addressing the problems of the expatriates and encouraging them to send remittance through formal channels.
He said the government needs to strengthen its economic diplomacy to expand its export market and explore new markets.
He reiterated that at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government’s cabinet in Bangabhaban, all the ambassadors and high commissioners based in Dhaka, including those from the US, UK and the European Union (EU), were present.
“They all came to congratulate the current government,” said the new foreign minister.Responding to a question, Hasan said each country has its own “perspective and narrative,” and the government of Bangladesh values those perspectives and narratives.
“It’s a very important ministry. It is a challenge,” he said about his new role.
FM Hasan said the elections were free and fair as described by international observers.
Read more: PM likely to attend Munich Security Conference 2024
“We will work with all the countries – call it the West or East – for the development of our country. We believe in friendship to all and malice to none,” he said.
He said the election was held in a free and fair manner with the wider participation of voters in a festive atmosphere.
He said huge foreign observers including from the US, EU, OIC, Commonwealth, Japan and Saarc countries observed the polls and acknowledged the polls as “free and fair” with enthusiastic participation of voters.
“There were many barriers but the observers came to accept the polls,” he said.
The foreign minister, quoting a US observer, said there are always discussions and questions about the election, and even in the US.
“Ministry of Information was a challenge. I met that challenge with your help. It's definitely a challenge in the global context and the fact that there are wars going on in different parts of the world now,” said the foreign minister while responding to a question.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, they have taken the country forward by facing all the challenges.
“Prime Minister has entrusted me with the responsibility of foreign ministry. Insha Allah, facing this challenge, we will move the country forward and brighten the country’s image, improve relations with the East and the West,” the foreign minister said.
Read more: Rohingya issue can be resolved diplomatically: Foreign Minister
Bangladesh elections were not free and fair: US
The United States shared the view with other observers that Sunday's (January 07, 2024) elections in Bangladesh "were not free or fair" and they regret that not all parties participated, the US State Department said.
The United States remains concerned by the arrests of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day, said US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller in Washington on Monday (January 08, 2024).
Miller said the United States supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
Read: No legitimate grounds to warrant economic sanctions against Bangladesh: BGMEA
The United States, however, recognised that the Awami League won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections, he said.
"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties," said Miller.
He said the United States condemned violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it.
Read: Awami League not worried about any sanctions: Quader
The US encouraged the government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable, said the spokesperson.
"We also urge all political parties to reject violence," Miller said.
Read more: Bangladeshis did not get fullest range of voting options: UK on Sunday’s election
"My read of this US readout on Bangladesh’s election is that the current US policy toward Dhaka will essentially remain in place-a continued strong focus on rights and democracy, but otherwise stay the course and keep pursuing deeper strategic partnership," said Michael Kugelman.
"US government statement on Bangladesh elections acknowledges AL win, criticizes process, condemns violence, and looks forward to continued partnership," said Geoffrey Macdonald.
Observers from US, Canada, Russia call election ‘free, fair, peaceful, successful’
International observers, including from the US and Canada, on Sunday described the just-held 12th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh "free, fair and peaceful."
They congratulated the Election Commission for conducting the elections successfully and efficiently.
"I found very peaceful, free and fair elections," Jim Bates, former US congressman and an election observer from the US, told reporters at a media briefing Sunday evening.
"I’d like to say it’s a free and fair election already," he added.
“The thing they keep talking about is low turnout: that’s a misnomer. In some countries, voting goes on till 5/6 pm or even months,” Jim Bates said.
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He said Bangladesh has the shortest voting time in the world.
“So when they say ‘low turnout,’ that’s something to manoueuvre the press,” Bates said.
Jim Bates is an American former politician who served as a Democratic elected official from San Diego, California.
He served four terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1991.
Chandra Arya , Member of Parliament, Canada and Victor Oh, Senator, Canada also briefed the media separately.
The independent election observers from Canada said, "Today is one of the important days in the history of Bangladesh. Today the citizens of Bangladesh have exercised their fundamental and valuable right to vote and chose their representatives. Today, in the true spirit of democracy, the people of Bangladesh have determined who get their mandate to take the country forward for the next 5 years."
Chandra Arya said they all will now wait to see the newly elected representatives of the people who will shoulder the responsibility of governing the country and deliver the commitments made during the course of election campaign.
"We noted that even with the call for boycott a record number of female candidates and a transgender candidate among the 28 political parties and over 1900 candidates including independents contesting the elections," he said.
No pressure on voters to vote, but leaflets from ‘a party’ asking not to go, says FS quoting CEC
They also noted the efforts of the Bangladesh Election Commission to reach out to voters and specifically to the younger generation to encourage them to participate in the elections.
"We confirmed there was a process within the Bangladesh Election Commission to address any complaints from the voters or the political parties or the candidates," Chandra Arya said.
"We wish to congratulate the Bangladesh Election Commission on successfully conducting a free and fair elections," he added.
"With one of us being an elected Member of Canadian Parliament and having contested and won three times in row, we are personally aware of the complexity of managing an election."
The Canadian observers recognized and commended the excellent work of Bangladesh Election Commission in marshaling all the institutions of the state and delivering a "free, fair and successful" elections.
In a separate briefing, Head of the Russian election monitoring delegation Andrey Y Shuvot said they are satisfied with the peaceful elections.
“These elections are legitimate," he told reporters.
Scottish MP Martyn Day in his brief remarks, said the elections were fairly smooth, but voters' turnout was relatively low.
Chief Electoral Officer of Palestine Hisham Kuhali on Sunday said Bangladeshis should be proud of electoral procedures that are in place and expressed satisfaction over the smooth completion of the vote casting.
"We noticed quiet and peaceful election. We have not noticed any sign of violence," he told reporters at a media briefing at a Dhaka hotel.
Independent candidate for Sylhet-3 says election rally attacked by AL candidate's campaigners
Kuhali said the procedures of casting votes were very simple and straightforward.
"This is very good by international standards," he said, referring to time it takes to cast a vote.
The international observer said people are well informed and well trained who are helping voters to cast their votes.
Asked about the voters' turnout, he said, "We are here to judge the voting procedures. You should be proud of your process."
Member of Arab Parliament Abdihakim Moalliam described the elections as "smooth" and conducted in a very efficient way.
He appreciated the democratic exercise in Bangladesh, noting that it was a shining example of peace and unity.
The foreign observers visited several centres.
Around 127 foreign observers are currently in Dhaka to observe the 12th National Parliamentary Election.
IFC pays tribute to Atiqur Rahman Salu, Bangladeshi leader of water movement, as he dies in US
The International Farakka Committee (IFC) is deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Atiqur Rahman Salu, a valiant freedom fighter and leader of Bangladesh's water-environment movement and Chairman of IFC.
He had been suffering from cancer and breathed his last on December 5 at a hospital in New Jersey, USA at 6 pm Bangladesh time while undergoing treatment for pneumonia.
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In a joint statement, the IFC leaders said, "One of the leaders of the 11-point student movement of 1969, general secretary of East Pakistan Biplabi Chhatra Union, reader of the Swadhin Purba Bangla resolution on February 22, 1970 at Paltan Maidan, a student leader enjoying blessings of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and leader of Bangladesh community in the United States, Atiqur Rahman Salu has given a new dimension to the river-water rights movement of Bangladesh."
Under his leadership, IFC organised three international seminars and views-exchange meetings in Dhaka with water experts and activists from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan to build public opinion and linkages among different peoples of the subcontinent to ensure sustainable management of the Himalayan rivers.
Because of his efforts, the national political leaders of Bangladesh came on the same stage at numerous national discussion-meetings and spoke to protect the river-water rights. And the protection of river-water rights became a national demand.
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Under his leadership, an IFC delegation presented to an Indian Assembly of Expert in New Delhi and to former Chief Minister of Kolkata Jyoti Basu the urgency of keeping the common rivers - source of 90 percent fresh water - alive to protect the physical existence and environment of world's largest delta, Bangladesh.
IFC delegations met the members of the US Congress, Chinese leaders in Beijing and the 6th Committee of the United Nations to mobilise world opinion in favour of protecting the river water-rights of Bangladesh.
It is to be noted that the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna coming down the Himalayas flow through Bangladesh into the sea.
If the natural flow of rivers continues to be denied, irreparable damage to the environment, lives and livelihoods of the people of Bangladesh cannot be stopped.
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As in the Ganges-dependent Khulna region, the Teesta-Brahmaputra-dependent northern region and the Meghna-dependent eastern region will also face damage to agriculture, fisheries, agro-industry, industry, commerce, biodiversity and ecosystem. The number of environmentally displaced people will increase alarmingly.
Under the leadership of Atiqur Rahman Salu, imbued with the ideology of Maulana Bhasani, a river-environment rally of at least five lakh people was held in Chilmari after a long march from Dhaka on May 4, 2005.
The IFC leaders paid tribute to the memory of Atiqur Rahman Salu, vowed to continue his unfinished work and conveyed their condolences to his widow Farida Eusofzai and other members of the bereaved family. They urged the people to pray for the peace of his soul.
The statement was signed by IFC New York Secretary General Syed Tipu Sultan, Joint Secretary General Mohammad Hossain Khan, IFC Bangladesh President Professor Jashim Uddin Ahmad, General Secretary Syed Irfanul Bari and IFC Coordinator Mostafa Kamal Majumder.