United News of Bangladesh

Zokey Ahad, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Mauritius, presented his credentials to President Prithvirajsing Roopun G.C.S.K. in a ceremony at the State House.  President Roopun welcomed Ahad, congratulated him, and expressed good wishes to the President of Bangladesh. He highlighted the value Mauritius places on its relations with Bangladesh and encouraged Bangladesh to use Mauritius as a gateway to Africa, leveraging trade facilities offered by COMESA, SADC, and EAC.  Bangladesh envoy Mosharraf joins 25th anniversary of Liberation Day of Kosovo President Roopun appreciated the contributions of Bangladeshi workers in Mauritius, especially in the textile sector, and emphasised the importance of signing pending MoUs/Agreements between the two countries. He fondly recalled his visit to Bangladesh in May 2023. In response, High Commissioner Ahad conveyed the warm greetings of the President of Bangladesh and expressed gratitude for the cordial cooperation from the Government of Mauritius.  He assured efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and highlighted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s initiatives to improve the quality of life in Bangladesh, as envisioned by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Ahad mentioned Bangladesh’s recent achievements under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership on the international stage and appreciated Mauritius for employing Bangladeshi workers. Both officials expressed hope for exploring new avenues of cooperation for mutual benefit. Russia will remain a reliable partner to Bangladesh, other allies despite “artificial obstacles”: Ambassador Ahad extended an invitation from the President of Bangladesh to President Roopun to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. Senior officers from the State House and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius, along with Zakaria Bin Amjad, Md. Jahangir Alam, and Md. Asaduzzaman from the Bangladesh Mission, attended the ceremony. High Commissioner Ahad joined the Bangladesh Mission in Port Louis on 9 June 2024. A career diplomat from the 17th batch of the BCS (Foreign Affairs) Cadre, Ahad has served in various capacities in Bangladesh Missions in Beijing, The Hague, Manchester, Kolkata, and Kunming since joining the service in 1998.

Experts and officials from ministries of health, social welfare and empowerment from countries in WHO South-East Asia Region discussed measures to improve health and care services for the older persons and a Regional Strategy on Healthy Ageing during a three-day meeting that concluded in New Delhi, India on Thursday. “Today, 12.6 % of our region is aged 60 or above. By the year 2030, this will jump to nearly 14%, and by 2050 it will reach a staggering 23.6%. Managing this demographic shift presents challenges, yet also represents an opportunity. Older individuals, when equipped with good health and well-being, can play active roles in the workforce, contribute to the economy through various means, and pass on invaluable wisdom and experience to younger generations,” Saima Wazed, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, said. Countries have been making efforts as part of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and aims to foster longer and healthier lives. The decade focuses on combatting ageism, creating age-friendly environments, providing integrated care (ICOPE), and ensuring access to long-term care, she said. The Regional Director said significant efforts and progress has been reported since 2020, particularly in legislation and strategies to combat age-based discrimination. However, resource constraints remain a challenge, underscoring the need for increased commitment and investment. “Let us learn from each other and explore collaborative strategies to accelerate the implementation of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030 in our Region,” Wazed said. The meeting discussed system strengthening to deliver person-centered and responsive primary health services to older persons and strengthening and sustaining capacity of health system to deliver integrated health and care services to them. The experts and officials at the meeting worked on an evidence-based regional strategy for healthy ageing—a blueprint that WHO and Member countries in the Region will collaborate on in the years to come, in consonance with the WHO South-East Asia Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience (2024-2029) that was endorsed by member countries last month. Earlier, WHO and Member countries developed the Regional Framework for healthy ageing (2018–2022), and training packages for health-care providers on Integrated Care for Older People. By 2050, the Region is expected to be home to 480 million older people. These numbers are indicative of significant strides we've made. Over the past three decades, we've witnessed an increase in life expectancy by eight years, alongside empowering women and reducing fertility rates, the Regional Director said.

Sweden is providing USD 1.2 million or approximately Tk 14.5 crores of vital humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Cyclone Remal in southwestern Bangladesh. Sweden’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Alexandra Berg von Linde, said Sweden stands with the 4.6 million people affected by Cyclone Remal, which has displaced 800,000 people in southwestern Bangladesh. "I am pleased to announce that Sweden is providing humanitarian assistance to support those affected," she said on Thursday. UK to provide £500,000 in humanitarian assistance to affected communities in Bangladesh This includes USD 1.2 million (approx. BDT 14.5 crores) through the Swedish Red Cross, Save the Children and Islamic Relief. "This will provide over 86,000 people with basic necessities such as food, shelter and the opportunity to make a living, while 15,000 children are given the opportunity to return to school. This contribution complements the government of Bangladesh’s response," said the Ambassador. The humanitarian support will be used, among other things, to provide cash support to affected families. Cash support enables people to decide for themselves what they need. This could, for example, enable them to buy food and clothes, arranging a roof over your head or paying for healthcare, said the Embassy. Swedish Red Cross will through BDRCS provide cash support to 6,500 households in the worst affected areas. Humanitarian funding for heatwave victims: EU providing Bangladesh Tk 2.22 crore This will help vulnerable people to be able to quickly acquire basic necessities, such as food and medicines. Save the Children will provide cash grants and hygiene items for 2,000 households and shelter support to 600 households in Khulna and Barguna districts. Support will also be provided to repair 24 schools destroyed by the cyclone, enabling 15,000 children to return to school. Islamic Relief will provide cash support and hygiene items for 7,200 households in Patuakhali and Barguna districts, with a particular focus on households headed by women, widows and pregnant and lactating women. EU allocates €300,000 in humanitarian aid to gutted Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps Sweden is also one of the largest humanitarian donors globally and the top donor to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which is responding to Cyclone Remal with a total of USD 7.5 million (approx. Tk 87.6 crores) to support those affected.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Attaché Daniel Jacob has met Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman and officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his visit to Dhaka on June 9-12 and discussed ways to achieve Bangladesh’s goal of direct flights with the United Sates. These meetings continue the close cooperation needed to achieve Bangladesh’s goal of U.S.-Bangladesh direct flights, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday. Jacob explained the process for attaining direct flights. Bangladesh needs to achieve a “Category 1” safety rating, which requires passing the U.S. FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA). A Category 1 rating ensures that Bangladesh complies with critical International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices. FAA will carry out the IASA for the Category 1 rating, at the request of CAAB. CAAB has not yet made a request to FAA for an IASA, said the US Embassy. If CAAB achieves a Category 1 rating, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will conduct a separate assessment and inspection to make sure that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Biman Airlines meet relevant security requirements for direct flights between the United States and Bangladesh. For the past several years, the FAA and TSA have been providing free technical assistance to CAAB and Biman Airlines to achieve international safety and security standards. The U.S. government is also providing free airport screening equipment to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and providing training to Bangladeshi aviation officials so that Bangladesh can meet the highest international security standards.

The Republic of Kosovo has commemorated a significant milestone - the 25th anniversary of its Liberation Day. On this 25th anniversary, the non-resident Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Republic of Kosovo Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan attended the anniversary at the invitation of the President Vjosa Osmani- Sadriu, President of the National Assembly Glauk Konjufca, and Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurt. He attended the parade of the Kosovar Security Forces and a reception in the Capital City, Pristina on June 12. The Ambassador conveyed greetings of the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to President and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, said the Embassy of Kosovo on Thursday. The event was attended among others by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former President of Switzerland, former President of Croatia, President of Albania, Former Secretary General of NATO, valiant Freedom Fighters in the Kosovo Armed Forces, representatives of European, Balkan and Nordic countries and Ambassadors of the countries. British High Commissioner celebrates King Charles III's official birthday, highlights UK-Bangladesh partnership The President and the Prime Minister of Kosovo in their speeches remembering the memories of War expected that the country would grow further stronger both in Military, Civil and Economic fields. They thanked all the countries and the leaders who contributed for the liberation and today’s attendees for their gracious presence. NATO troops entered Kosovo as part of the peacekeeping mission, and it was on this day, twenty-five years ago, following a rigorous air campaign against occupational forces in Kosovo, that the Kosovar people were liberated from the direct occupation of Serbia. This intervention marked the end of the oppressive period for the people of Kosovo, thus making it one of the most important days in the history of the Kosovar people. The people of Kosovo endured great pain, loss, and suffering. Notably, the journey to freedom was similar to the freedom fight of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, marred by numerous massacres and acts of genocide. This day was a tribute to the relentless efforts and enduring struggle for liberation, self-determination, and independence. As Kosovo celebrates this day, it also remembered the thousands of citizens who lost their lives and honours the memory of those who went missing during the war.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has said the relationship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom is based on deep shared history; strong cultural and people-to-people links; and Commonwealth ties. “It is also an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the UK-Bangladesh partnership,” she said while speaking at a reception on Wednesday evening.  British High Commission in Dhaka celebrated the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III on June 12. “It is my pleasure to host this reception to celebrate the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III," said the High Commissioner.  Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury graced the reception as the guest of honour.  British high commissioner discusses upcoming elections with AL leaders A wide range of dignitaries from the government of Bangladesh including Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury; the Diplomatic Corps and representatives from the fields of trade, business, academia, social development, arts, culture, media and sports joined the celebration. The King’s Birthday Party is celebrated by British High Commissions and Embassies around the world.  This year, the king turns 76 on November 14. His Majesty The King is Head of the Commonwealth, which is a family of 56 countries working together for prosperity, democracy and peace.  The British High Commission Dhaka’s King’s Birthday Party 2024 was supported by HSBC (Platinum Partner); Le Meridien Dhaka (Hospitality Partner); and Unilever and Standard Chartered Bank (Diamond Partners).

The United States has said its diplomats around the world collaborate with international partners to ensure high labor standards, bring workers’ voices to the decision-making table, and enforce rules against unfair labor practices, including forced labor and denial of the right to organize.  "These actions to help adult workers are critical to eliminate the worst forms of child labor," said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement.  On World Day Against Child Labor on Wednesday, the US reaffirmed that children must not be subjected to hazardous work or criminal exploitation.   Two in three children under five in Bangladesh face food poverty: UNICEF The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates eleven percent of the world’s children engage in work that is hazardous to their health and development, interferes with their education, demands too many hours, or is too dangerous. "The United States is committed to ending child labor globally. US embassies around the world help prepare the Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, and the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, while assisting other countries to address these problems," Miller said.   He said that ending the worst forms of child labor also requires global action to empower adult workers and their families.  This includes engaging with governments, workers, employers, and labor organizations, all key partners in this fight. US President Biden’s Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labor Standards Globally enhances US policy to protect and promote worker rights at home and around the world. Prolonged exposure to pollution harms children: USAID official  The theme of the day this year is "Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour!" This year's World Day focused on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention. It also presents an opportunity to remind all stakeholders to improve their implementation of the two fundamental Conventions on child labour.

A devastating fire tore through a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait early Wednesday, killing at least 41 people. Officials have linked the blaze to code violations. Abdul Hossain, Labour Counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait, confirmed that no Bangladeshi nationals were among the victims. "According to updated information from the company and hospital, no Bangladeshi worker died in today's fire incident," Hossain told UNB after visiting the site of the fire. The company that housed its workers in the building had not submitted any job demand letters for attestation by the Bangladesh Embassy, indicating no official employment connections with Bangladeshi workers. Kuwait’s Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah confirmed the death toll and ordered the arrest of the building’s owner during his visit to the site. “We will address the issue of labor overcrowding,” he said. “I’m now going to see what violations were committed here and I will deal with the owner of the property.” Local media reported that scores of workers lived in the building in the southern Mangaf district but did not specify their nationalities. At least 41 die in a fire at a building housing workers in Kuwait Col. Sayed Hassan al-Mousawi, head of the local firefighters’ Accident Investigation Department, indicated that the number of casualties could rise as the final death toll is confirmed. India’s ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, reported that over 30 Indian workers injured in the blaze were admitted to a hospital. He shared this information on X but did not confirm whether any Indian nationals had died, according to AP. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and said the Indian Embassy is “closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected.” He posted on X, “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.” Kuwait, like other Persian Gulf countries, has a large community of migrant workers who far outnumber the local population. The nation, with a population of around 4.2 million, is slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey but possesses the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves. This tragic incident follows a 2022 fire at an oil refinery in Kuwait that killed four people.

Stefan Liller, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Bangladesh, has expressed the organisation’s commitment to enhancing the institutional capacity of educational institutions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and other remote areas of Bangladesh. This statement was made during a bilateral meeting with Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Wednesday. UNDP plans to improve the mobility and management capacity of educational administration and accelerate ongoing initiatives through the Access to Information (A2I) programme in the education sector. The meeting was also attended by Sardar M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP in Bangladesh, and Kirtijai Pahari, Strategic Communications and Outreach Officer of UNDP in Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Monen and Chairman of International Babur Public Foundation Zokirjan Mashrarabov agreed on Wednesdays to open a branch office of the Foundation in Dhaka for promoting research and study on the contributions of the great Mughal Emperor Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur and for propagating his philosophy. Ambassador of Bangladesh to Uzbekistan Dr Mohammad Monirul Islam and Chairman of International Babur Public Foundation Zokirjan Mashrabov signed a MoU for establishment of the Bangladesh branch office of the Foundation today in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Both sides have agreed to work on the protocols soon for starting activities of the Foundation in Bangladesh.