United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called for further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China, describing the country as a trusted friend and an important strategic partner. He made the remarks when Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Liu Haixing paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban, President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told UNB. During the meeting, the President referred to the signing of a framework agreement for the modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port and the groundbreaking of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), saying these initiatives would make significant contributions to Bangladesh's connectivity, industrialisation and economic development. He also welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposals for expanding multidimensional connectivity, including the proposed Kunming-Chattogram corridor and the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor. Mirza Fakhrul thanked and congratulated Xi Jinping and invited him to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. Emphasising greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh, he highlighted sectors that could contribute to technology transfer, employment generation and export diversification. Liu Haixing assured continued Chinese cooperation in areas such as green energy, education and cultural exchanges.  

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said ensuring a healthy, safe and dignified life for elderly people is the responsibility of the state. He stressed the need for taking necessary initiatives, including the formation of a dedicated ‘Senior Citizens Cell’ under the Ministry of Social Welfare, to address the needs and welfare of older people. The President said these when a 16-member delegation of the Bangladesh Senior Citizen Forum, led by its President Ferdous Ara Begum, met him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the delegation placed several demands, including old-age allowances, a 50 percent fare concession on the metro rail, trains and public transport for citizens aged 65 and above, elderly-friendly healthcare services, and the introduction of a universal Senior Citizen Card. The President expressed solidarity with the demands and assured the delegation of necessary cooperation. The President's Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary, along with Bangladesh Senior Citizen Forum General Secretary Md Khabir Uddin and other delegation members, were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban. The meeting took place at noon, said President’s press secretary Sarwar Alam. The Prime Minister briefed the President on the outcome of his recent visit to Japan. They also discussed the overall situation in the country and various issues related to national interests.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday stressed the need for strategic foresight, technological preparedness and institutional resilience to address emerging national and global security challenges. “National security cannot be viewed only through a military lens. It encompasses economic resilience, food and energy security, environmental sustainability, technological capability and the strength of our institutions,” he said. The President made the remarks while addressing the participants of the National Defence Course-2026 and Armed Forces War Course-2026 at Bangabhaban. Highlighting Bangladesh's strategic location in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific region, he said the changing geopolitical landscape, global power shifts, strategic competition and regional conflicts had added new dimensions to security concerns. Mirza Fakhrul said traditional security threats were now compounded by climate change, cyber threats, transnational crime, terrorism, pandemics, economic uncertainty and disruptive technologies. He said artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and advanced digital technologies were transforming warfare and security, while misinformation, disinformation and cyber threats were posing growing challenges to national security and democratic institutions. The President called for developing leaders with strategic foresight, sound judgement, intellectual openness and the ability to work across institutional and national boundaries. In this context, he said, the National Defence College played an important role by bringing together senior officials from the Armed Forces, civil administration, law enforcement agencies and friendly countries to exchange ideas and develop a shared understanding of contemporary security challenges. Addressing the Bangladeshi participants, Mirza Fakhrul urged them to put the interests of the country and its people above all else and uphold professionalism, integrity, discipline and accountability in their respective positions. He said Bangladesh's journey towards becoming a more prosperous, inclusive and resilient nation would depend on the quality of its leadership, the strength of its institutions and national unity. “Our national security and international engagement must be guided by the principle of Bangladesh First – safeguarding our sovereignty, independence, national dignity, security and people's welfare while pursuing constructive relations based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit,” the President said. He said prioritising national interests should not come at the cost of friendship and international cooperation. Mirza Fakhrul also called upon the international course members to act as bridges of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and their respective countries, saying their participation had added an important international dimension to the National Defence College. Bangladesh remained committed to peaceful coexistence, friendship among nations and constructive engagement with the international community, he said. “Let us reaffirm our shared commitment to cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over discord and peace over conflict,” he added. At the outset, the President paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, those who sacrificed their lives during the July 2024 mass uprising and the long struggle for democracy over the past 17 years. He also paid tribute to members of the armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country, including in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Mirza Fakhrul congratulated the participants of the National Defence Course and Armed Forces War Course-2026 and commended the commandant, faculty members and staff of the National Defence College for their role in developing capable and forward-looking leaders.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday stressed the need to develop a skilled workforce and promote multilingual education in the curricula of public and private universities to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the international labour market. He made the remarks when separate delegations from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) and Gazipur Agricultural University called on him at Bangabhaban. The delegations were led by AUST Board of Trustees Chairman Prof Dr Golam Rahman and Gazipur Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr GKM Mostafizur Rahman, respectively. During the meetings, the delegation members briefed the president on their respective universities’ job-oriented education, curricula and overall academic activities. The Gazipur Agricultural University delegation informed the president that the university had become the champion in the university category at the Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026. It also ranked 57th internationally in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to end hunger. The president expressed satisfaction at the university’s achievements. AUST Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Ashraful Haque said the university’s graduates are establishing themselves with distinction in both domestic and international labour markets. The president praised AUST for its contributions to science and technology education. Delegations of both universities invited the president to attend their convocation ceremonies as chancellor. Mirza Fakhrul accepted the invitations and assured the delegations of his attendance at the convocations.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged universities to play a more effective role in producing skilled, innovative and technology-driven entrepreneurs rather than merely job seekers. He said higher educational institutions must focus on developing students’ innovative thinking, research capabilities and entrepreneurial skills alongside academic knowledge and professional competencies, taking into account the changing global landscape and the demands of a technology-driven economy. The President made the call when a four-member delegation from Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, led by its Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Shahidul Islam, met him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the President on the university’s academic, research and administrative activities. They informed him that initiatives have been taken to introduce teaching and training programmes in artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technology-related fields in line with contemporary needs. Mirza Fakhrul described Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, popularly known as the Mazlum Jananeta, as an unforgettable figure in Bangladesh’s political history. He expressed hope that the university, which bears the legacy of the eminent political leader, will provide students with quality education and equip them with contemporary knowledge, technological skills and innovative capabilities to contribute effectively to national development. The President’s secretaries and senior officials of his office were present at the meeting.    

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called on Switzerland to increase investment in Bangladesh and expand bilateral trade to accelerate the country’s economic growth. He made the call when Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Siegfried Renggli paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the president praised the contributions of reputed Swiss companies operating in Bangladesh and emphasised the need to increase Swiss investment in various promising sectors. “Bangladesh now wants substantial investment rather than aid,” he said, highlighting the country’s vast potential. He said increased investment would create employment opportunities and help Bangladesh progress faster. The president also praised Switzerland’s local government system and expressed interest in drawing on the country’s experience to make Bangladesh’s local government institutions more effective and stronger. He sought Switzerland’s cooperation in this regard and the Ambassador assured him of his country’s support. Mirza Fakhrul also appreciated Switzerland’s cooperation in strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and parliamentary processes. The meeting also discussed cooperation in addressing climate change, skills development, cultural exchanges, technical education, and research. The president’s Military Secretary, Secretary, Press Secretary, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Diepak Elmer were present at the meeting. They discussed various aspects of the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and other important issues, including reforms and good governance, said the Swiss Embassy in Dhaka. The Ambassador congratulated the President on assuming office and conveyed Switzerland’s intention to focus more on bilateral trade, investment and knowledge cooperation, as well as to cooperate closely on shared priorities such as democracy and multilateralism.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday called for ensuring world-class medical services, encompassing modern technology, skilled specialist doctors and a patient-friendly environment in Bangladesh, to reduce the growing tendency of patients to seek treatment abroad. He said many Bangladeshi patients were compelled to travel overseas for advanced treatment due to limitations in specialised healthcare, modern technology and medical expertise, as well as concerns over service quality and public confidence in the country's healthcare system. As a result, a substantial amount of money was spent abroad every year, he said, stressing the need to strengthen domestic healthcare facilities to reverse the trend. The president made the remarks while inaugurating a two-day conference titled “Colorectal Surgery Conference 2026” at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre in the capital. He said Bangladesh must develop a modern, affordable and people-oriented healthcare system by improving service quality, recruiting skilled professionals, adopting modern technologies and ensuring accountability. Highlighting the importance of compassion in medical services, Mirza Fakhrul said medicine was not merely a profession but a noble responsibility involving human life, dignity and hope. He stressed the need for treating patients with empathy, explaining medical conditions and treatment procedures to patients and their family members in simple language, maintaining clean and safe healthcare environments, and showing special consideration for underprivileged patients. “Collective efforts must be made to ensure that no one is deprived of necessary treatment because of financial hardship,” he said. Referring to the challenges facing the country's health sector, the president said Bangladesh's healthcare system had failed to achieve the desired progress over the past 17 years due to what he described as fascist rule, mismanagement, rampant corruption and unplanned decisions. Ordinary people had been deprived of timely treatment, medicines and essential services at government hospitals, he said. He also criticised the purchase of expensive medical equipment without ensuring the necessary infrastructure and skilled manpower to operate it. Many machines remained unused due to infrastructure shortages, while laboratory equipment was procured without the required technicians and support staff, he said. Prolonged stagnation in the recruitment of doctors, nurses and technicians had further complicated the situation, he added. Drawing lessons from these shortcomings, the president called for realistic and well-planned initiatives, skilled manpower, people-friendly policies, accountability and transparency in the use of public funds to improve the health sector. He also recalled with respect various initiatives taken by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to develop healthcare in the country. Highlighting the current government's initiatives, Mirza Fakhrul said the government had allocated Tk 69,409 crore for the health sector in the 2026-27 fiscal year, the highest allocation in the country's history. He stressed that every taka of the allocation must be used effectively, appropriately and transparently. The government has also taken initiatives to gradually upgrade 100-bed hospitals to 150-bed facilities, expand healthcare services at local and upazila levels, and recruit doctors, nurses, midwives, technicians and other health workers, he said. Turning to colorectal diseases, the president said a significant number of people in Bangladesh suffered from such conditions, but many delayed seeking medical attention due to embarrassment, social stigma and a lack of awareness, allowing their illnesses to become more complicated. He called for greater public awareness, early diagnosis and the expansion of accessible specialised treatment to address the problem. Responding to a demand raised at the conference for establishing a National Institute of Colorectal Surgery, the president assured the organisers of appropriate cooperation in this regard. Wishing the conference every success, he said participants would benefit from the knowledge and experience of leading surgeons from around the world and should use that opportunity to improve healthcare for ordinary people. He expressed hope that their efforts would help Bangladesh move towards a modern, affordable, accountable and people-friendly healthcare system. Earlier, the Bangladesh Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (BSCRS) presented a crest to the president in recognition of his participation. The conference was chaired by BSCRS President Professor Dr Rashidul Islam, while the organisation's adviser, Professor Dr Sahadat Hossain Sheikh, delivered the welcome address. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Farhad Halim Donar, Bangladesh Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui, Doctors Association of Bangladesh President Professor Dr Harun Or Rashid, Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons President Professor Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir, former Bangladesh Medical Association President Professor Dr AKM Azizul Haque and Doctors Association of Bangladesh Secretary General Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil also spoke at the event. The two-day international conference will bring together local and foreign specialists to train young Bangladeshi doctors in various aspects of colorectal surgery and exchange professional knowledge and experience.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called on the Bangladesh Accreditation Council (BAC) to play a more effective role in ensuring the quality of higher education in the country and aligning it with international standards. He made the call when a five-member delegation led by BAC Chairman Professor Dr Md Akhtar Hossain Khan met him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the BAC chairman briefed the President on the council’s activities, future plans, the need for a permanent headquarters and measures to strengthen its institutional capacity. He said the council’s accreditation certificates play a significant role in securing recognition and acceptance of Bangladesh’s higher education qualifications and improving employment opportunities abroad. The President urged the council to take further initiatives to address its problems and assured the delegation of necessary cooperation. Other members of the delegation were Md Emdadul Haque, Professor Dr Ahmed Abdullah Jamal, Professor Dr Md Shah Emran and Professor Dr Md Wakilur Rahman. The President’s Secretary, Press Secretary, Assistant Military Secretary and Private Secretary were also present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday met school students at Bangabhaban for the first time under a newly introduced policy, urging them to become well-educated and responsible citizens to lead the country in the future. “You will lead Bangladesh in the future. We see a new Bangladesh and new dreams in you,” he said while meeting students of Motijheel Ideal School and College at the presidential palace in the morning. A selected group of meritorious students from Classes VII to IX, accompanied by teachers and led by the institution's Principal Prof Lal Mohammad, made the visit under the Policy on Visits to Bangabhaban by Students of Educational Institutions, 2026. The students toured various facilities at Bangabhaban before meeting the President at the Darbar Hall, where he addressed them and later took part in a photo session with them. The initiative aims to familiarise the younger generation with the history and heritage of Bangabhaban and the state. Addressing the students, Mirza Fakhrul emphasised the importance of respecting parents, teachers and elders and remembering the sacrifices parents make for their children. He said becoming well-educated and responsible citizens will help them fulfil both their parents' dreams and the nation's expectations. Turning to Bangabhaban, President said it is not just a building; it is a symbol of the state and a witness to history. He said students from different educational institutions will be brought to Bangabhaban in phases to develop their interest in the institution, the state and future leadership. In the age of information technology, Mirza Fakhrul also urged the students to develop their skills in science and technology and come forward with new innovations. The President's secretary, press secretary and other senior Bangabhaban officials were present during the meeting.