United News of Bangladesh

The visiting US delegation on Sunday met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh. “As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts, said the US side after the meeting held at state guesthouse Jamuna. Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, among others, joined the meeting. Bangladesh’s interim government is looking forward to having “multi-dimensional” discussions with the visiting US delegation. The US officials also met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at state guesthouse Padma.  

The 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement’ (DOAG) has been signed between Bangladesh and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Dhaka on Sunday. A. K. M Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance and Reed J. Aeschliman, Mission Director, USAID have signed the amendment on behalf of the Bangladesh government and USAID respectively at the state guest house Padma. On September 27, 2021, a new DOAG was signed between Bangladesh and USAID for the period of 2021-2026. By implementing the DOAG, USAID is committed to contribute a total $954 million. So far up to 5th amendment, USAID has provided $425 million. Under this 6th amendment, USAID will provide $202.25 million grant for three sectors namely (a) Good Governance, (b) Social, Human and Economic Opportunity and (c) Resilience. The United States of America is a trusted development partner of Bangladesh since 1972. Under an umbrella agreement titled “Economic Technical & Related Assistance” which was signed in 1974, USA has contributed more than $8 billion till today (September 15, 2024) in different sectors like democracy and governance, food security, health and education, and global climate change. USA provides most of its development assistance through United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and some other Government and non-Government organizations.

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the UN Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week.   Secretary Blinken and Secretary-General Guterres discussed the renewed opportunity the Summit of the Future presents for Member States to recommit to the principles of the UN Charter.   The Secretary voiced U.S. support for achieving a Pact for the Future – a Summit roadmap for strengthening the UN, Spokesperson at the US Department of State Matthew Miller said on Saturday.  As UNGA High-Level Week approaches, the Secretary and Secretary-General discussed the importance of mobilizing collective action to address global challenges, Miller said. Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States’ UNGA priorities: working together to address conflict and crises, revitalizing an overstretched humanitarian system, and fostering a more inclusive and effective UN.   The Secretary thanked the Secretary-General for his many efforts in preparing for a productive high-level week.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said the International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to reinforce the importance of upholding free speech, civil liberties, and the rule of law; ensuring accountable institutions; and protecting and promoting human rights. "On this International Day of Democracy, let’s keep working to build a more inclusive, just, and equal world," he said in a message marking the day that falls September 15. This is especially crucial in a year where more than 50 countries – representing half of the global population – are holding elections, Guterres said. "Yet, these rights and values are under attack around the world. Freedoms are being eroded. Civic space is diminishing. Polarization is intensifying. And mistrust is growing," he said. This year’s Democracy Day focuses on Artificial Intelligence as a tool for good governance. "Left unchecked, the dangers posed by artificial intelligence could have serious implications for democracy, peace, and stability. This can start with the proliferation of mis- and disinformation, the spread of hate speech and the use of so-called deepfakes," Guterres said. Yet, AI has the potential to promote and enhance full and active public participation, equality, security, and human development,  he said.  "It can boost education on democratic processes, and shape more inclusive civic spaces where people have a say in decisions and can hold decision-makers to account." To seize these opportunities, it is critical to ensure effective governance of AI at all levels, including internationally. "The message is clear: AI must serve humanity equitably and safely," Guterres said. The inclusive and geographically diverse High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence has released a report with recommendations on how to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating the risks, he said. This month’s Summit of the Future offers a crucial opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, build trust, and safeguard current and future generations, said the UN chief.

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived in Dhaka on Saturday wrapping up his India tour, with Bangladesh's interim government looking forward to having “multi-dimensional” discussions with the visiting US delegation on Sunday. Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the U.S Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman arrived on Saturday morning, hours prior to Lu’s arrival. They will both be part of the interagency delegation for meetings with the Bangladeshi interim government. Assistant United States Trade Representative Brandon Lynch also arrived in Dhaka as part of the multi-agency US delegation to discuss issues pertaining to bilateral relations. They were received at the airport by Samia Israt Ronee, Director, (North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. US Treasury Department Director Jerrod Mason, Chargé d’affaires (ad interim) at the US Embassy in Dhaka Helen LaFave, Political/Economic Counselor Eric Geelan and USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman are likely to join the meetings scheduled to take place on Sunday, a diplomatic source told UNB. This is the first US delegation to visit Bangladesh following the formation of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on August 8 to discuss issues pertaining to bilateral relations. “The arrival of the first team of the United States (during this tenure) is a great reflection of the importance they attach to the relationship with Bangladesh. This implies that this discussion will be multi-dimensional; it will not be limited to just one topic,” said Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. The US delegation will meet Chief Adviser Yunus on Sunday morning, a senior official told UNB. They will also meet Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, apart from their other engagements. Foreign Secretary Jashim will host a working lunch for the US delegation on Sunday, where representatives from the relevant ministries will attend. “US and Bangladeshi officials will discuss how the United States can support Bangladesh’s economic growth, financial stability, and development needs,” a spokesperson at the US Department of State said. Somewhat unusually for US delegations visiting Bangladesh in recent years, this time it is being led by the Treasury Department. The London-based Financial Times newspaper reported earlier in the week that Washington would seek "to help one of the world’s biggest garment exporters boost its economy". The inclusion of Nieman in the delegation is seen as key to such prospects. “The United States is optimistic that, by implementing needed reforms, Bangladesh can address its economic vulnerabilities and build a foundation for continued growth and increased prosperity,” Neiman told the Financial Times. He also said Washington planned to “underscore US support for Bangladesh’s continued engagement with the IMF and other international financial institutions” as Bangladesh “seeks to strengthen economic growth by deepening financial sector reforms, improving fiscal sustainability and reducing corruption”. Bangladeshi officials however are remaining tight-lipped about the possible agenda for the meetings. “I don't want to make any kind of comments before the discussion starts, which would undermine the normality of the discussion,” said the foreign secretary, when asked about specifics in the agenda. Responding to a question, he said the government wants to move to a mutually beneficial relationship with everyone. The people of Bangladesh have historically had an interest in international affairs, he added. Throughout his trip, Assistant Secretary Lu will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to supporting "our partners’ economic growth and promoting stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region." The senior-level US delegation will discuss ways to take forward the relations between the two countries in the changed political scenario. Any visit by a US delegation is always important, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The foreign affairs adviser said they will discuss issues which are achievable and stressed that the US visa policy put in place prior to the last general election in Bangladesh will have no bearing on relations going forward.

Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA) and Alliance Française jointly organized “Ikebana Display, Demonstration” at Alliance Française in Dhanmondi on Saturday. BIA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was also held at the same venue. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori and Director, Alliance Française François Grosjean joined the occasion as the chief guest and special guest respectively. The Ambassador congratulated the Bangladesh Ikebana Association on the auspicious occasion of its 14th AGM and other Ikebana activities. In Japan, the practice of Ikebana is considered as more than just a form of flower decoration. It is rather a spiritual art form that requires creativity, Imagination, aestheticism and love for nature. Its aesthetic beauty and spiritual values have made Ikebana known globally, including Bangladesh. BIA members conducted activities, such as Ikebana classes, workshop, all of which were held in BIA's different schools. Looking back on the year of 2023 BIA organized several events to promote Ikebana not only in Dhaka, but also in other cities like Rajshahi. In November an event was organized in the University of Rajshahi to promote the culture of Ikebana. “BIA's initiatives will continue to leave a profound impact on cultural and art scenes in Bangladesh. I hope that the practice of Ikebana will take deep root in local communities of this country and become an enduring symbol of grass-root friendship between Japan and Bangladesh,” said the Japanese Ambassador. He warmly congratulated the Ikebana display, demonstration and the 14th Annual General Meeting organized by the Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA) in the city. Bangladesh Ikebana Association started its journey as an Ikebana school in October 1973 on the Japanese Embassy premises in Shantinagar. It was restructured into the present organization in 2009, said a media release. Ambassador Iwama handed over certificates to those who completed Ikebana courses from Ikebana School. Dr AKM Moazzem Hussain, a former BUET professor who returned from Japan after 10 years of studying in September 1971, and a group of Bangladeshis who had studied and/or taken training in Japan established an Ikebana School in October 1973 on the premises of the Embassy of Japan at Shantinagar in Dhaka. Preeminent painter the late Shilpacharjya Joynul Abedin and Ambassador Takeshi Oyamada of Japan had handed over certificates to the 28 graduates of the first batch in March 1974. Honorary CEO Masud Karim said, “We always get supportive cooperation from the Embassy of Japan. Next year we have a plan to arrange our event in a multipurpose hall at the Embassy of Japan premises.”

American private sector can help unlock Bangladesh’s growth potential through trade and investment with the right economic reforms in place, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday. From energy security to data centers to transportation, U.S. businesses play a positive role in many facets of Bangladesh’s economy, said the Embassy after a trade and investment related discussion. Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the U.S Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman, U.S. Treasury Department Director Jerrod Mason, Chargé d’affaires (ad interim), U.S. Embassy Dhaka Helen LaFave, Political/Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy Dhaka Eric Geelan and Mission Director, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Reed Aeschliman, joined the meeting representing the US side. American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) President Syed Ershad Ahmed, Vice President Eric M Walker, MetLife in Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Ala Uddin Ahmad, Country Manager Mastercard Syed Mohammad Kamal and Country Manager, GE Nowshad Ali were also present, a meeting source told UNB. Earlier, US Assistant Secretary Brent Neiman arrived in Dhaka on Saturday morning to lead a US delegation to discuss issues pertaining to bilateral relations. He was received at the airport by Khandker Masudul Alam, DG (North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. Bangladesh looks forward to have a “multi-dimensional” discussion as it welcomed the first US delegation after the formation of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on August 8. “The arrival of the first team of the United States (during this tenure) is a great reflection of the importance they attach to the relationship with Bangladesh. This implies that this discussion will be multi-dimensional; it will not be limited to just one topic,” said Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Thursday. The US delegation will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday morning, a senior official told UNB. They will also meet Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed apart from their other engagement. Foreign Secretary Jashim will host a working lunch where representatives from the relevant ministries will attend. “US and Bangladeshi officials will discuss how the United States can support Bangladesh’s economic growth, financial stability, and development needs,” a Spokesperson at the US Department of State said. “I don't want to make any kind of comments before the discussion starts, which would undermine the normality of the discussion,” said the Foreign Secretary when asked about the specific agenda. US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, who is now visiting New Delhi, will travel to Bangladesh soon as part of the delegation. Responding to a question, Foreign Secretary Jashim said the government wants to move to a mutually beneficial relationship with everyone. The people of Bangladesh have historically had an interest in international affairs, he added. Throughout his trip, Assistant Secretary Lu will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to supporting "our partners’ economic growth and promoting stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region." In Dhaka, Lu will join an interagency delegation for meetings with the Bangladeshi interim government. The senior-level US delegation will discuss ways with the interim government to take forward the relations between the two countries in a changed political scenario. Any visit by the US delegation is always important, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The foreign affairs adviser said they will discuss issues which are achievable and stressed that US visa policy will not affect the relations between the two countries.

The e-passport services for Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia have been inaugurated at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh.   SM Rakibullah, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy, presided over the inaugural ceremony. Besides, officials and the technical team of the e-passport project from Dhaka were present at the ceremony. The e-passport program was inaugurated with the participation of expatriate dignitaries, professionals, media personnel, and a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis who joined with huge enthusiasm at the Embassy auditorium. Assistant Project Director Major Sumiriar Sadeekin gave an idea to the Bangladeshis present about the process of applying for an e-passport in Bangladesh and Bangladesh embassies abroad. He said applicants can apply for five years or 10 years of validity, and it will be possible to provide an e-passport within one month of receiving the application.   Later, the technical team answered various questions of the expatriates about e-passports.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo has said climate change does not recognize borders, and we cannot build a wall to keep the crisis out. “The climate crisis affects us all and represents the single, gravest, threat to social justice today,” said ILO Director-General, adding that many of the countries experiencing the most brutal consequences of this crisis are particularly ill-equipped to handle its environmental and livelihood consequences. “We must recognize that what happens to impacted communities will affect us all... Universal social protection is top of the list of tools that we have at our disposal to help us ensure that the climate crisis does not deepen existing inequalities and exclusion in affected communities.” Bangladesh ranks 10th in the World Risk Index published by the World Economic Forum. The country is affected by both rapid and slow-onset disasters. Storms and floods collectively account for most of the disasters experienced in Bangladesh. The most impacted households are unable to cope with the adverse effects of floods and cyclones, including destruction of homes and livelihood assets such as crops and livestock. While Bangladesh has a strong framework for social protection in the 2015 National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), the current system is undermined by lack of coordination and targeting so that available resources can be directed at the most in need. “Promoting social insurance and a gradual transition towards a universal social protection system in Bangladesh is an important way to cope with the adverse impacts of natural disasters” said Tuomo Poutiainen, the Country Director of ILO in Bangladesh. “ILO is committed to work with the Government and social partners to develop a universal social protection system especially focussing on the most vulnerable segments of society.” Social protection can help people adapt to and cope with climate-related shocks by providing social protection benefits, such as income security and access to healthcare. Moreover, social protection can cushion families, workers, and enterprises during the green transition and enable more sustainable economic practices. This includes supporting workers with training and upskilling so that they are equipped with knowledge and skills for employment in green and low carbon sectors. Social protection also ensures that all jobs are decent, with adequate protection and benefits.“Social protection is essential to ensure that the ongoing green and low-carbon energy transition leaves no one behind. And the imperative to make social protection universal is not only ethical, but also practical: by supporting and protecting workers everywhere, we can help to alleviate fears about the transition, which is essential to mobilize popular support for a sustainable and just transition,” added the Director-General. Yet, despite its role as a catalyst and an enabler of positive climate action, governments are failing to make the most of social protection’s potential, largely because of persistent coverage gaps and significant underinvestment.Governments are failing to make full use of the powerful potential of social protection to counter the effects of the climate crisis and support a just transition, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report. The report also finds that those countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change have the lowest levels of social protection.The World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition finds that, for the first time, more than half of the global population (52.4 per cent) has some form of social protection coverage. This is up from 42.8 per cent in 2015, the year when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted.However, in the 20 countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis, 91.3 per cent of people (364 million) still lack any form of social protection. Looking more broadly, in the 50 most climate-vulnerable countries, 75 per cent of the population (2.1 billion people) lack any social protection coverage. Globally, most children (76.1 per cent) still have no effective social protection coverage. There is also a substantial gender gap, with women’s effective coverage lagging behind men’s coverage (50.1 and 54.6 per cent, respectively).These gaps are especially significant, given the potential role of social protection in softening the impact of climate change, helping people and societies adapt to a new climate-volatile reality, and facilitating a just transition to a sustainable future. On average, countries spend 12.9 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on social protection (excluding health). However, while high-income countries spend an average of 16.2 per cent, low-income countries allocate only 0.8 per cent of their GDP to social protection.Low-income countries – which include states most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – need an additional US$308.5 billion per year (52.3 per cent of their GDP) to guarantee at least basic social protection. International support will be needed to reach this goal.The report calls for decisive and integrated policy action to close protection gaps, arguing that, “it is time to up the ante” and invest significantly in social protection. The report offers important recommendations to help guide policy and ensure effective and sustainable outcomes, including:- Preparing for both ‘routine’ life cycle risks, as well as climate-related shocks by having social protection systems in place ex-ante by ensuring everyone enjoys adequate social protection.- Using social protection to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and secure public acceptance of those measures. - Prioritizing investment in social protection, including external support for countries with limited fiscal space.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the Rohingya crisis to ensure a lasting and peaceful resolution. He further called for renewed engagement and proactive role from the international community in facilitating a safe and dignified return of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue when Country Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Sumbul Rizvi paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. During the meeting, Rizvi congratulated the Foreign Secretary on his recent assumption of office and provided an update on UNHCR's ongoing operations in Bangladesh, particularly in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Rizvi has reiterated UNHCR’s steadfast commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the forcibly displaced Rohingya population until a sustainable solution through voluntary repatriation is achieved, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   She emphasized the agency's ongoing support to ensure the welfare of the Rohingya population during their stay in Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary expressed his appreciation for UNHCR’s continued efforts and support in managing the humanitarian crisis.