United News of Bangladesh

 Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan has expressed happiness over the growing engagements between Bangladesh and Nepal. Commending the friendship and cooperation of Nepal and Nepali people, he underscored the need to accelerate bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, energy, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts, among others. On the occasion of National Day and Constitution Day of Nepal, the Embassy hosted a reception in Dhaka on Friday evening. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari highlighted that the day marked the historic promulgation of a democratic and inclusive Constitution in 2015. "The day reminds us of the Nepali spirit of patriotism, democracy, and diversity, and is a testimony to the Nepali people’s ability to resolve their political issues and differences on their own," he said. Shedding light on the relationship between Nepal and Bangladesh, he emphasized the need to leverage the transformative power of solidarity and cooperation to boost connectivity and catapult economic development and prosperity for the mutual benefit of the peoples of both countries. A cultural programme showcasing Nepali folk-dance performances was held in the second half of the event.  

Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin has stressed the importance of developing a concrete roadmap for multi-sectoral engagements with Argentina. Ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh Marcelo Cesa paid a courtesy call on the foreign secretary and emphasised the need for setting strategic priorities, long-term planning, and measurable outcomes. The meeting also highlighted Bangladesh's interest in enjoying preferential access within MERCOSUR, the South American regional trade bloc, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. The ambassador proposed holding Foreign Office Consultations early next year to discuss potential areas for cooperation. He also requested Bangladesh to consider reopening its Embassy in Buenos Aires. The foreign secretary assured the ambassador of the ministry's full support in facilitating engagements with chambers of commerce and trade bodies, while the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the continued cooperation from the Ministry. During the meeting on Thursday, the foreign secretary congratulated the ambassador on the first anniversary of the establishment of the Argentine Embassy in Dhaka. Ambassador Cesa commended the bold initiative taken by Bangladesh's interim government to accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, an important cause Argentina has long championed. The football enthusiasm has already built a bridge between two nations, creating opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Both sides expressed keen interest in further collaboration in areas such as trade, agriculture and agro-processing industry, regulatory and policy frameworks, capacity building, shipping and connectivity, energy, sports, and education.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has stressed the importance to increase the existing cooperation in terms of political engagement, trade, investment, human resources development and people to people contact with Australia. He mentioned the potentials for increased international student enrolment from Bangladesh due to rising incomes, suggesting ease of student visa processing. Hossain informed that Bangladesh does not support irregular migration in any form and is ready to cooperate in returning its irregular nationals in Australia through established processes, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issues were discussed when Australian acting High Commissioner Nardia Simpson paid her maiden call on the foreign adviser on Thursday. The adviser welcomed the acting high commissioner and mentioned the mutual commitment to democracy, human rights, peace and prosperity between Bangladesh and Australia. He referred to the students-led mass upsurge of Bangladesh in July-August 2024 to bring a qualitative change in governance and reiterated the government’s commitments to carry out necessary reforms in line with that spirit. The envoy expressed her condolence for the loss of lives and properties during the recent turmoil. She acknowledged the role of the Foreign Ministry and other concerned agencies to ensure security for the Dhaka-based Foreign Missions. The envoy stated the importance of relations between the two countries and referred to the last bilateral visit of the Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong to Bangladesh in May 2024. She reiterated that Australia will continue to support a democratic and inclusive future for all Bangladeshis. The adviser thanked for Australia’s continued support extended to the Rohingya population sheltered in Bangladesh. He highlighted the risk for increased security concern in the region posed by this crisis and stressed the need for more international pressure on Myanmar towards the repatriation process which is the ultimate solution of this protracted crisis.

Newly appointed Chargé d' Affaires (CDA) of the Republic of Singapore in Dhaka Mitchel Lee has presented his Letter of Commission (LOC) to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at his office. The Adviser welcomed Mitchel Lee to Bangladesh on his new assignment and assured him of all possible cooperation during his tenure of duty in Bangladesh. During a brief meeting followed by the LOC presentation, the issues of mutual interest including trade & investment, cooperation in ICT sector, education, tourism, energy, skill and semi-skill manpower sending, clean energy, energy supply chain and training programmes for the public servants were discussed. The Foreign Adviser mentioned that the development trajectory of Singapore is an example for Bangladesh. He emphasized experience and knowledge sharing between the two countries in the field of IT start-ups and electronics for mutual benefits. While discussing about Bangladesh’s initiative to ease of doing business for the foreign investors, the Foreign Adviser stressed the necessity of knowledge and experience sharing with Singapore. The Foreign Adviser also urged the impactful role of Singapore in the ASEAN for a sustainable and permanent solution to the Rohingya issue. Foreign Advisor mentioned that permanent solution to the Rohingya issue is their return to Myanmar.

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Thursday discussed holding the next round of foreign secretary-level consultations. The issue was discussed when High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof met the Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Strengthening cooperation in areas of trade, commerce, enhancing people-to-people contacts, and the issue of the Rohingyas also featured in their discussion. Two sides underscored the importance of regional organizations. In this context, they also discussed tapping potentials of SAARC, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The High Commissioner congratulated the Foreign Secretary on assuming his new responsibilities. The Foreign Secretary conveyed thanks for the congratulatory message from the Prime Minister of Pakistan to the Chief Adviser. He also discussed the background of the recent mass uprising and priorities of the Interim Government.    

Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the latter’s office here in the city. The ambassador congratulated the adviser on his new role and hoped that his vast experience in the arena of diplomacy would contribute to advancing the foreign policy of Bangladesh. During the meeting, Touhid Hossain mentioned that Bangladesh and Bhutan enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which are based on shared history, geographical proximity, and mutual respect. He highlighted the excellent people-to-people level contacts between the two countries. Ambassador Kuentsyl underscored that Bangladesh is an important trade partner of Bhutan. He also emphasised the importance of human resource development and thanked the Government of Bangladesh for hosting a good number of Bhutanese students, particularly in medical education. In the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fostering continued engagement, cooperation, and collaboration for fulfilling the shared aspirations of both peoples.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) held a CSR and Sustainability event on Thursday at the AmCham Bangladesh Office, with the tagline “AmCham’s Solidarity with Flood-Affected Families.” “Showing solidarity with the flood-affected families, AmCham has initiated a Post-flood Rehabilitation Support program in collaboration with the Sajida Foundation. Syed Ershad Ahmed, president of AmCham handed over the check and other contributions toZahida Fizza Kabir, CEO, Sajida Foundation. Abu Muhammad Rashed Mujib Noman, AmCham Executive Committee Member and Managing Director, Augmedix BD Limited, Al Mamun M Rashel, Treasurer, AmCham and Country Manager & Managing Director, NATco Bangladesh, Mirza Shajib Raihan, AmCham Executive Committee Member and Business Leader, Becton Dickinson Bangladesh, Habib Bhuiyan, AmCham Member and Country Manager, Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Limited and MD Fazlul Hoque, Senior Advisor, Sajida Foundation and Md. Shahadat Hossen, Executive Director, AmCham were also present. Among AmCham members, 3s Agro Services Limited, American & Efird (Bangladesh), Augmedix BD Limited, Chevron Bangladesh, Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Limited, Folia Bangladesh Limited, FV Bangladesh, and NATCO Bangladesh supported this AmCham initiative. Furthermore, American & Efird (Bangladesh), American Life Insurance Company (MetLife), Augmedix BD Limited, Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited, Chevron Bangladesh, Citibank N.A., Bangladesh, Excelerate Energy BangladeshLimited, NATCO Bangladesh, MasterCard, and many other AmCham members individually contributed from their respective companies to stand beside the flood-affected people during the challenging time.

The World Bank is ready to be a part of key economic reforms of the Interim Government, a visiting top official of the multilateral lender said on Thursday. Martin Raiser, a vice president of the World Bank, made the comments after meeting Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office in Dhaka. "Count on us. We are ready to help," Raiser said in response to the Chief Adviser's call for broader support for the Interim Government’s move to fix economy, clean up corruption and undertake key reforms in areas such as judiciary. Raiser said the World Bank was "excited" by the government's reform agenda and he felt "it was worth visiting Bangladesh right now". "There are so many expectations," he said. The visiting World Bank Vice President said the lender was ready to support reforms in banking, taxation, customs, VAT, digitization, anti-corruption measures. Prof Yunus welcomed the bank's support, saying the Interim Government has got a broader mandate from the people to get rid of corruption and make a new start. "This is the season of reforms. We want to start now," he said, adding that the student-led mass uprising in July-August prepared the ground for big reforms in the existing system. "We don't want to go back. It's a wholesale rejection of the past. It is a clean slate," he said. Prof Yunus outlined the reform initiatives his government has so far rolled out and added that in the economic front, the top priority is corruption, labour reforms and youth, according to Chief Adviser's press wing. He said the government would implement ILO conventions in labour reforms, which will boost foreign investors’ confidence in Bangladesh and also help local manufacturers gain international foothold. "We want to get it done," he said, adding Bangladesh should be a global player in sectors other than the readymade garments. Raiser appreciated the move to woo foreign direct investment, saying the annual FDI in Bangladesh is about half percentage of the country's GDP and was one of the lowest in the region. Raiser said the World Bank also approved 700 million dollars for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and for the host communities in Cox's Bazar. The Chief Adviser said he was keen for support for the hundreds of thousands of young people who have been growing up in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. "We have to focus on this," he said. Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy of the Chief Adviser on International Affairs; Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and head of the SDG affairs; Abdoulaye Seck, the World Bank country director; and Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the economic relations division, also participated in the meeting.

Pledging the World Bank's support for critical reforms to help the country achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, its Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser on Thursday said Bangladesh has the opportunity to implement critical reforms that were unaddressed for a longtime. Raiser met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and discussed the World Bank’s programme of approximately $2.3 billion for the current fiscal year. The financing will help Bangladesh enhance economic resilience, recover from the recent flood, undertake public and financial sector reforms for better service delivery, build a clean energy sector, and improve air quality and health outcomes. “Through existing and new investments, we are focusing on improving economic governance and creating more and better jobs for the 2 million Bangladeshi youth entering the job market every year,” Raiser said. Raiser, who concluded his visit to Bangladesh, expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of lives in July and August. The World Bank is in discussions with the health ministry to provide urgent support for the treatment of the critically injured students and affected individuals. Further, the World Bank will support rehabilitation and livelihood restoration to the people affected in the recent flood in eastern districts. He also conveyed appreciation for Bangladesh's generous decision to continue providing shelter to about a million displaced Rohingya people fleeing violence in Myanmar. The World Bank has recently approved $700 million programme for the displaced Rohingyas and the host communities. Raiser also met with the Finance Adviser, Energy Adviser and Bangladesh Bank Governor and discussed critical reforms aimed at helping Bangladesh build economic resilience, safeguard financial sector stability, and improve governance, transparency, and accountability. Raiser highlighted the substantial resources available to Bangladesh from the existing portfolio of World Bank financed projects, which could be repurposed as needed to provide additional funding for the government’s most urgent priorities to set the country on a new sustainable growth path.   

The ongoing 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted an important resolution, affirming the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on 19 July 2024 that declared the occupation of Israel on the Occupied Palestinian Territories illegal. The resolution was tabled by Palestine and was co-sponsored by 53 countries, including Bangladesh. The adoption was through a vote, with 124 countries in favour and 14 against, with 43 abstentions. As a co-sponsor, Bangladesh voted in favour. The resolution, in light of the recent ICJ verdict, calls upon Israel to end its unlawful presence in Palestine, the first step of which to end its military campaign in Gaza. The resolution also calls for, among others, the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation for all damage, loss, or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It also requests the UN Secretary-General to present a report on the implementation of the resolution.   The resolution also calls for ensuring accountability for the atrocity crimes committed by Israel, especially in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians. Through adopting the resolution, the General Assembly has also decided to hold an international conference within one year on Palestine, with the objective to find out ways and means to establish an independent Palestinian state. In general, the resolution is being considered as an important step towards achieving the solution of the Middle East crisis through implementing the two-state solution. During the debate in the General Assembly on September 18, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, delivered Bangladesh’s national statement. Ambassador Muhith welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as a historic one and called upon all member states to abide by this. He also expressed Bangladesh's grave concern about the ongoing atrocities and high death toll in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire referring to the UN Security Council resolution 2728. He emphasized that the two-state solution, based on the pre-1967 border of the Palestinian state, is the only pathway for achieving sustainable peace in the Middle East. Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN also appreciated the roles of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in the process of ensuring accountability of illegal occupation and mass atrocity crimes in Occupied Palestinian Territories. He appreciated the UN Secretary-General and UN Human Right High Commissioner's statements concerning the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza.