United News of Bangladesh

Ambassador-designate of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet presented his credentials to President Mohammed  Shahabuddin on Wednesday. The President welcomed the new French envoy and expressed hope that the relations between the two countries would further strengthen in the areas of trade, investment, education and culture in the future, said a Bangabhaban press release signed by deputy secretary Md Raihan Kabir.  The new French Ambassador sought the President's full cooperation in the discharge of his duties and expressed his determination to take effective steps to improve bilateral relations.      

The newly appointed resident Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh, Thitiporn Chirasawadi, presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Deputy secretary Md Raihan Kabir signed press release informed the media. Welcoming the new Ambassador of Thailand, the President expressed hope that trade and investment relations between the two countries will further strengthen in the future. The new Ambassador of Thailand expressed her determination to make all-out efforts in this regard. He also sought the President's full co-operation in discharging her duties.  

Vatican Minister Cardinal Michael Felix Czerny has said that it is a real shame that the international community has not been able to provide a solution to the Rohingya crisis. “The situation for the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar is very challenging. The reality in the camp is that they are stateless, permanently unemployed and being shut in as they are in the camp. This is a situation which might be tolerable for a month, but it has been going on for years,” he said at a press conference at the CBCB Centre on Tuesday. Cardinal Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery of Integral Development, who has been on a visit to Bangladesh from November 1-5, interacted with the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar, internal migrants in Narayanganj, street children in Mohammadpur in Dhaka and the Christian leaders. Asked on the role of the Catholic Church in addressing the challenges of climate change, he said the Vatican will seek to speak up in the upcoming climate conference in Brazil on behalf of Bangladesh and other countries who are the innocent victims of the choices, policies, and lifestyles of other countries. “This is international injustice which is similar to the injustices we have seen here inside the country,” the Cardinal said.He said many people moving within the country from one place to another looking for work and facing great difficulties with housing and schooling, which is also a big challenge. “They are attracted by the jobs in the industries, but the ordinary services they should have are very difficult to organize and to provide. Therefore, in some ways, they live as strangers in their own land,” Cardinal Czerny said. He said such migrants do not really belong where they have come, and they cannot go back to where they came from. Türkiye delegation meets Foreign Adviser, pledges support for Rohingyas “So again, we have great sympathy, and I very much admire what the church is able to do to accompany them, to help them seek their rights, and to find solutions to their problems.” He said the Rohingya are living in the camps in a very difficult condition after having been driven out of their own home, their traditional home and their ancestral home. “We should be grateful [to Bangladesh] for the welcome that they have received and also hope that their conditions will improve, and most of all, hope that there will be a solution soon so that they can return to their homeland,” Cardinal Czerny said.  

Baroness Nuala O’Loan, the first Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, will visit Dhaka from November 5 to 7. She will be by Irish Ambassador to Bangladesh Kevin Kelly, said a media release of Ireland’s honorary consulate in Dhaka on Tuesday.   During her visit, Baroness O’Loan will hold meetings with senior members of the interim government, civil society organisations dealing with police reform and justice, and representatives of diplomatic missions and international agencies engaged in Bangladesh’s reform process. She will also deliver a public lecture at the University of Dhaka where she will reflect on Ireland’s experience of police reform, peace building and reconciliation, and discuss the relevance of these lessons for Bangladesh’s ongoing transition. Baroness O’Loan’s engagement aims to assist Bangladeshi stakeholders in considering long-term approaches to police and justice reform, grounded in inclusivity, accountability, and respect for human rights drawing on her experiences in Northern Ireland. Speaking about the forthcoming visit, Ambassador Kevin Kelly said, ‘‘Baroness O’Loan’s visit reflects Ireland’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic transition and deepening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Rooted in shared values of peace, justice, and reconciliation, Ireland’s cooperation seeks to contribute to a reform process in Bangladesh that is both inclusive and enduring.’’ Baroness O’Loan was appointed as Northern Ireland’s first Police Ombudsman in 1999 under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, just weeks after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. She led the Ombudsman’s Office during a defining period when new frameworks for police accountability were being built amid the complexities of post-conflict transition. Over her seven years in office, her work earned broad respect across communities for its impartiality, independence, and contribution to public trust in law enforcement.

Bangladesh and Türkiye have expressed their keenness in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment and humanitarian areas especially for Rohingyas. A five-member Turkish Parliamentary delegation, led by the Chairperson of Bangladesh-Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mehmet Akif Yilmaz, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain at his office on Monday. Ambassador of Türkiye to Bangladesh was also present. The Foreign Adviser expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s continued support in addressing the humanitarian needs of the displaced Rohingya population. The Turkish delegation visited the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar from November 1-2, 2025 to review the Turkish humanitarian programmes for them. Bangladesh, Japan hold human resources seminar in Tokyo; 13 MoUs signed The Adviser also highlighted the strong and historic ties between Bangladesh and Türkiye, emphasising the need to further broaden and deepen cooperation in multidimensional sectors. He also requested for expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in Turkish universities as well as for enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, and defence. He underlined expectation that Türkiye would start recruiting more skilled and semi-skilled professionals from Bangladesh. The adviser also said that the government has recently approved establishment of a branch of the ‘Yunus Emre Institute’ in Bangladesh which he hoped to bring the people of Bangladesh and Türkiye further closer. The Chairperson of the Bangladesh-Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group shared observations on their visit to the Rohingya camps and highly commended the humanitarian operations including management and facilities in the camps. He shared that Türkiye considers Bangladesh a brotherly nation and assured continued solidarity and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.    

A seminar on human resources between Bangladesh and Japan was held in Tokyo on Monday when 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed between Bangladeshi manpower sending agencies and Japanese recruitment firms. Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo arranged the seminar titled “A highly promising source of skilled human resources for Bangladesh and Japan” at the TKP Hall, followed by a matching event. The programme was held in collaboration with the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO). Around 350 manpower exporting agencies and recruiting companies along with nearly 250 Japanese firms participated in the event. Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali in his welcome speech assured full support for sending skilled Bangladeshi workers to Japan and establishing an effective system. He called on all stakeholders to work together on a partnership basis to achieve this goal. Bangladesh seeks greater Filipino investment, ASEAN partnership Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, presented a statistical comparison of the human resource situation in Japan and Bangladesh. He noted that by 2040, Japan would require nearly 11 million foreign workers while Bangladesh currently has an excess workforce of 25 million. He highlighted various initiatives taken by the Bangladesh government to facilitate the deployment of skilled workers to Japan and expressed hope that coordinated efforts by Bangladeshi and Japanese recruiting agencies would benefit both countries. JITCO Senior Vice President Shigeo Matsutomi delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the international labor market and employment opportunities in Japan. Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy were also present at the seminar. Senior Secretary Dr. Bhuiyan is scheduled to attend another human resources seminar in Nagoya, Japan, on November 7 where further MoUs and agreements between Bangladeshi and Japanese companies are expected to be signed.

Bangladesh has underscored the prospects for increased Filipino investment in its emerging sectors and reiterated its aspiration to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Bangladesh and the Philippines held the third round of Foreign Policy Consultations (FPC) in Manila on Tuesday (4th November 2025), marking the first session after a six-year gap. The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East & West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, also joined the session. The Bangladesh delegation included Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Manila, along with a representative from Bangladesh Bank. BGCCI welcomes new German Ambassador; looks for boost in investment in tech, energy The Philippine delegation comprised senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, Department of Migrant Workers, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Board of Investment, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and the Civil Aeronautics Board, joined by Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Bangladesh. Both sides reviewed the progress since the second FPC and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in political relations, trade and investment, cybersecurity, the blue economy, education, skills development, culture, defence cooperation through training exchanges and knowledge-sharing, people-to-people connectivity, labour and migration governance. They also discussed matters of mutual interest in regional and multilateral affairs, including the situation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs). VFS Global launches Netherlands visa services with state-of-the-art centre in Dhaka Discussions were held in a warm, constructive, and forward-looking atmosphere, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on Maritime Cooperation on the Recognition of Certificates under the STCW Convention, 1978 (as amended). Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East & West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while Sonia B. Malaluan, Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), signed on behalf of the Philippines. Following the FPC, Dr Md Nazrul Islam paid courtesy calls on Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary for Migrant Workers, during which both sides focused on strengthening South–South cooperation for mutual benefit. He is also scheduled to visit a TESDA-operated caregiver training institute to explore future cooperation in skills development, training, and mutual recognition of certificates. Both sides expressed confidence that the outcomes of the consultation will further strengthen bilateral relations in the days ahead. Egyptian Ambassador meets Mirza Fakhrul

A five-member parliamentary delegation led by Mehmet Akif Yılmaz, Member of the Turkish Parliament and Chairperson of the Türkiye-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group, called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at State Guest House Jamuna on Monday. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and humanitarian initiatives. Yılmaz noted that Türkiye and Bangladesh share deep cultural and historical bonds. He highlighted strong relations between the two countries. Yılmaz shared information about the Turkish parliamentary  delegation's visit to Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar on Sunday and humanitarian activities of Turkish institutions and NGOs, including Turkish Field Hospital. The Chief Adviser thanked Türkiye for its steadfast support for the Rohingya community and invited Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh, underscoring the country’s potential to become a manufacturing hub for exports to developed markets.

The Bangladesh-Germany Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) hosted a distinguished welcome ceremony and reception for Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bangladesh. The event marked a formal transition for the Chamber, where the Presidency was handed over to the newly elected President Md. Rokonuzzaman, FCA, by the outgoing President, M. Maksud, at an event held at a hotel in Dhaka. In his address, newly elected BGCCI President Md. Rokonuzzaman outlined a strategic vision aimed at deepening economic collaboration. He emphasized boosting German investment in crucial sectors such as renewable energy and technology. "We are deeply honored to have Ambassador H.E. Dr. Rüdiger Lotz with us, and we sincerely appreciate his gracious acceptance of our invitation," Rokonuzzaman said. He added that the BGCCI is committed to promoting bilateral trade and economic collaboration, aiming to facilitate sustainable business growth and knowledge exchange. The president also stressed the Chamber's role in advocating for business stability and policy clarity during Bangladesh's ongoing political transition. Ambassador Dr. Rüdiger Lotz expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and highlighted the mutual commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations. He emphasized avenues for sustainable economic cooperation, innovation, and people-to-people engagement, reaffirming Germany’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development goals. Navaneetha Krishnan, Vice President of BGCCI, thanks and gratitude to all attendees for honoring the new ambassador, according to a press release.    

The Embassy of the Netherlands in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services, have announced the launch of the state-of-the-art the Netherlands Visa Application Centre located in Banani to provide an enhanced visa application experience to the Netherlands visa applicants in Bangladesh. Starting on Monday, the Netherlands short-stay (C visa category and Caribbean visas) visa applicants in Bangladesh will be able to submit their applications at the Netherlands Visa Application Centre in Dhaka with ease by booking a prior appointment online. Appointment bookings have already started, and applicants can register and complete their applications on https://consular.mfaservices.nl/ and then secure a slot through VFS Global's appointment system to submit their applications with ease. Joris van Bommel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh inaugurated the new Netherlands Visa Application Centre. “Bangladesh continues to be an important partner for the Netherlands, with growing people-to-people, business, and educational exchanges," said the Ambassador. He said the launch of the new Netherlands Visa Application Centre in Dhaka marks a key step in strengthening these connections by providing travelers with more convenient, efficient, and modern visa application experience. "This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering closer ties and facilitating greater mobility between our two nations," the Ambassador said. Commenting on the launch, a VFS Global spokesperson said the launch of the Netherlands Visa Application Centre in Bangladesh marks another significant step in facilitating travel access and strengthening the longstanding relations between Bangladesh and the Netherlands. "VFS Global is honoured to extend its partnership with the Government of the Netherlands through this modern, well-equipped centre in Dhaka. We are confident that this facility will deliver a seamless and enhanced experience to applicants, reflecting our continued commitment to service excellence and convenience.” VFS Global urges visa applicants to apply for visas early to avoid last minute challenges Applicants get an option to choose from a range of optional and additional services to enhance their overall visa application submission experience such as SMS alerts, Courier and Form Filling, among others. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa. Decision making on the granting or refusal of visa is the sole prerogative and sole responsibility of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague within the Schengen coordination system. VFS Global has been a trusted partner for the Government of the Netherlands for visa processing services since 2006. The company offers visa services on behalf of the Netherlands across 52 countries through a network of 107 dedicated visa application centres globally.