United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear science, particularly in energy, food safety and medicine, and health sectors. He shared this commitment during his meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna on Monday evening (Vienna time). Foreign Minister Hasan also reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and to the safety and security of nuclear materials.  He recalled that Bangladesh became a member of the IAEA in 1972 which was one of the earliest memberships of Bangladesh in any international organisation. The Foreign Minister thanked IAEA for providing necessary support and cooperation for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.  Bangladesh, Austria agree to conclude MoU on migration, mobility He assured the Director General that Bangladesh will maintain the highest level of transparency, safety, and security of its nuclear power plants. Referring to the national energy vision, he mentioned that Bangladesh has contemplated a fair share of nuclear energy in her future energy mix since it is a green and clean source of energy. Mentioning the unmatched success of Bangladesh in becoming self-sufficient in staple food production as well as successes in pharmaceuticals and health services sectors, Hasan thanked IAEA for its technical support to Bangladesh in nuclear agriculture, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy fields. The Foreign Minister appreciated the Director General’s initiatives like Atoms4Food and Atoms4NetZero, and assured him continued support from Bangladesh for these noble initiatives. The Director General reaffirmed the agency’s sustained support to Bangladesh on human-centric development issues leveraging nuclear science and applications.  He expressed particular interest in working together with Bangladesh under the ‘Atom for Food’ initiative. The Director General of IAEA congratulated Bangladesh for setting up nuclear power plants, which has added an altogether different dimension to Bangladesh’s engagement with IAEA.  Microfinance an important part of Bangladesh’s development journey: IFC He assured of IAEA’s continued support for training and capacity building on nuclear safety and safeguard issues.  The Foreign Minister invited the Director General to visit Bangladesh during the commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.  

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud unveiled a bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Sunday, at the Bangladesh Embassy in Austria, that doubles up as the country's Permanent Mission to some UN bodies headquartered in Vienna. Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister Hasan thanked the embassy for installing the bust of the Father of the Nation and said that Sheikh Mujib is not just the friend of the Bengalis (Bangabandhu) but also a Bishwobondhu ( Friend oh the World), and a symbol of world humanity. He is an eternal beacon of light against the exploitation and deprivation of freedom-loving, oppressed and persecuted people, Hasan said. Ambassador and Permanent Representative Asad Alam Siam, embassy officials and expatriate Bangladeshi representatives were present at the event. After unveiling the bust, the Foreign Minister planted a sapling in the embassy premises and visited various parts of the embassy, including the Bangabandhu Corner. The Embassy premises in Vienna are not rented, rather owned by Bangladesh, and hence sovereign Bangladeshi territory.

Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada Dewan Hossne Ayub has been made acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada. Dr Khalilur Rahman has returned to Dhaka following the completion of his tenure as Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada. Following Rahman's return, Dewan Ayub assumed the role of acting High Commissioner in the Canadian capital Ottawa.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has called upon the international community to get away with any new weapons let alone autonomous weapons for the sake of humanity. He was speaking at an international conference titled ‘Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation’ in Vienna. The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs is hosting the international conference “Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation” on April 29-30 in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. Hasan participated in a high-level panel discussion on the challenges of regulating the autonomous weapon systems, where Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco, Norwegian State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric Egger also joined as co-panelists. The foreign minister also underscored the importance of benevolent application of AI in agriculture, medical science, space exploration, climate change, job creation, etc. for the benefit of mankind, and not in weapon systems to wipe out humanity. He posed a question about what would happen to international peace and security, if the non-state actors and terrorist organisations get access to AI-driven autonomous weapon systems. He highlighted the importance of preserving human control over the use of force. He underscored that machines with the power and discretion to take human lives must be prohibited by legally binding international laws both for AI and autonomous weapons. He suggested setting global norms to effectively regulate the autonomous weapons systems. Highlighting the precarious situation in Gaza, he also cautioned the international community against opening a new front of conflicts and tensions. The Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria has organised the conference and it is being participated by more than 800 delegates from over 120  states, UN bodies, rights groups and INGOs. The increased autonomy of weapons through the introduction of artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform armed conflicts. Autonomous weapons systems (AWS) raise profound questions from a legal, ethical, humanitarian and security perspective. Humanity is at a crossroads and must come together to address the fundamental challenge of regulating these weapons, said the host country. In the first-ever UN General Assembly resolution on lethal autonomous weapons systems in 2023, an overwhelming majority of States underlined the urgent need for the international community to address the challenges and concerns raised by autonomous weapons systems. Austria is hosting the conference in the hope of further advancing the debate on an international regulation of AWS. All States, the United Nations, the ICRC, international and regional organisations, representatives of academia, think tanks, industry and civil society are invited to participate and to discuss the fundamental issues and various challenges related to AWS and their international regulation.  

Bangladesh and Austria have agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on “migration and mobility” soon to begin skill mobility from Bangladesh to Austria. Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud held a bilateral meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna on Monday and discussed the issue. He particularly highlighted that ICT professionals from Bangladesh can contribute to Austrian companies, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Austria's Volker Türk new UN human rights chief During the meeting, the Austrian foreign minister offered to take skilled workers from Bangladesh and invest in green energy, particularly wind and waste2energy sectors. The two foreign ministers agreed to deepen bilateral relations in the fields of economic cooperation, trade and investment, migration and mobility, climate change, waste management, as well as post-graduation trade facilities for Bangladesh. They also agreed that there are ample opportunities to increase bilateral trade and Austrian investment in Bangladesh. Both the ministers underscored the importance of exchange of trade missions as well as early signing of the proposed agreement on the avoidance of double taxation in this regard. The Austrian Foreign Minister agreed to send a trade mission to Bangladesh this autumn and explore opening a trade office in Dhaka. The two foreign ministers also shared their views on regional developments in South Asia and Europe and beyond, including the situations in Myanmar, Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. Hasan urged the international community to help repatriate the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland Myanmar for peace and stability in the region and beyond. Austrian, Libyan envoys present credentials to President Hamid The foreign minister is on a two-day visit to Vienna at the invitation of the Austrian Foreign Minister to attend an international conference on Autonomous Weapon Systems.  

Four former staff members of the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka have been honoured with “the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays” in recognition of their contributions. The Government of Japan on Monday announced the foreign recipients of the 2024 Spring Imperial Decorations, said a press release. The ex-staff members of the embassy are Khurshid Alam, Abdus Salam, Swapan Kumar Barua, and Tomas Philip.

Martin Holtmann, IFC’s Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, has said that microfinance has been an important part of Bangladesh’s development journey.  "As our economy transitions from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to the next level, the Microfinance industry can continue to play a crucial role," Martin said.  He said this is the right time for all stakeholders to discuss the key reforms and capacity building that need to be implemented to transition and support the country’s growing economy.  “IFC is here to support modernisation of the sector, enable MRA and MFIs to build their own capabilities, introduce modern governance and solid risk management practices, and leverage technology,” he said. The Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) organised a seminar this week aimed at sharing insights from their recent Microfinance Sector Development Diagnostic study.  Environment Minister holds bilateral meeting with Saudi climate negotiator in Berlin. Conducted by FinValue Advisors under the auspices of MRA and IFC, the study delves into two critical components: Digital Transformation and Housing Microfinance (HMF).  These components assess the current landscape of digital initiatives and housing microfinance endeavours within the sector. Moreover, the study illuminates the industry's appetite for change, a crucial aspect in propelling sectoral development and modernisation. Over 25 Microfinance Institutions (MFI) spanning diverse categories, participated in the diagnostic process alongside key government stakeholders and private sector institutions.  The collaborative effort focused on pinpointing institutional readiness, evaluating existing regulatory frameworks, gauging market infrastructure viability, assessing consumer readiness, and estimating the requisite financial investments for digital transformation and housing microfinance initiatives. This seminar marks a significant stride towards fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the microfinance landscape, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally empowered financial ecosystem. The roadmap laid out by the study is a guide for stakeholders to create a strong housing microfinance portfolio, giving members the chance to build secure futures by owning homes.  AFD is Bangladesh's most significant partner: French Ambassador To make digital transformation and housing microfinance work on a larger scale, a supportive environment across regulations, infrastructure, and institutions is needed.  This roadmap brings together the IFC, MRA, MFIs, and others to take meaningful steps that truly benefit microfinance consumers.

Foreign Minister and Bangladesh Awami League Hasan Mahmud has urged the Bangladeshis abroad to take legal steps against those who are engaged in anti-country propaganda by using local laws of the respective foreign country. He made the call while inaugurating the office of Austria Awami League in Vienna, the capital of Austria on Sunday morning. “Today, under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is advancing at an unstoppable speed on the road to prosperity. To stop this progress, anti-liberation forces are sitting in Europe and spreading propaganda and hatching conspiracy,” he said. Even when the prime minister of Pakistan is lauding the development of Bangladesh, the leaders of BNP do not see the development, he said. Dhaka, Bangkok to work together to deal with Rohingya issue: FM “They are engaged in anti-nation conspiracies by employing paid agents abroad,” addedHasan, who is also the joint secretary general of Awami League. "Awami League leaders and activists should be more vocal about this, anti-country activists living in different countries should be exposed and if necessary, action should be taken according to the laws of those countries," said Hasan. Mentioning that the leaders and workers of his party have played a strong role in all movements and crises of Bangladesh, he said, Awami League must be united everywhere, no one can fight a united Awami League. The minister thanked the expatriates for contributing to the development of the country by sending remittances and urged them to send remittances through formal channels. Athens Conference: FM Hasan calls for responsible, sustainable ocean management President of Austria Awami League Khandkar Hafizur Nasim presided over the ceremony while General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Shyamal moderated the event. All European Awami League President M. Nazrul Islam, Austria Awami League Vice President Ruhi Das Saha, Ratan Saha, Billal Hossain, Saiful Islam Jasim, Journalist Editor Nayan Hossain, Austria Bangabandhu Parishad President Robin Mohammad Ali were also present, according to a message here. The foreign minister arrived in Vienna early Sunday on an official visit to attend the international conference. The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs is hosting the two-day international conference “Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation” on April 29-30 in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. The increased autonomy of weapons through the introduction of artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform armed conflicts. Autonomous weapons systems (AWS) raise profound questions from a legal, ethical, humanitarian and security perspective. Humanity is at a crossroads and must come together to address the fundamental challenge of regulating these weapons. In the first-ever UN General Assembly resolution on lethal autonomous weapons systems in 2023, an overwhelming majority of states underlined the urgent need for the international community to address the challenges and concerns raised by autonomous weapons systems. Austria is hosting this conference in the hope of further advancing the debate on an international regulation of AWS.  

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has received the ‘Diplomat of the Year Award 2024’ from the globally eminent Diplomat Magazine. The award was handed over to the High Commissioner by the Speaker of the British Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle recently in London. Earlier in 2023 High Commissioner Tasneem was elected as the President of Women Diplomacy Network in London, a forum of women Ambassadors to the Court of St James’s and continues to serve as the elected first Vice President of 133rd Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation after being elected in December 2023. High Commissioner Tasneem earlier received the Diplomat of the Year Award in 2022 for making extraordinary contributions to climate diplomacy in London in the lead up to the COP26. The Diplomat Award of the Year is an annual award given out by Diplomat Magazine UK to Ambassadors who have made extraordinary contributions to diplomacy in the UK and based on voluntary nominations and votes casted by UK-based diplomats from more than 180 countries that maintain resident missions in London.

During a business meeting in Bangkok, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud underscored the significance of a forthcoming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand, aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and addressing the trade deficit.  The meeting, held on the sidelines of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official visit to Thailand on April 26, was orchestrated by the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok. In his address, Mahmud called upon the Thai private sector to leverage the diverse government incentives available for business and investment, which would contribute to Bangladesh's economic development and prosperity. He stressed the importance of an early commencement of the FTA, mentioning the recent signing of the Letter of Intent (LoI) that marked the initiation of negotiations. ‘Victory Dictation’ at Dhaka’s Russian House commemorates 79th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War. The meeting was attended by notable figures including the Minister of Finance Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, the Private Industry and Investment Advisor to the Prime Minister Salman Fazlur Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan, State Minister of Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu and Foreign Secretary Masud bin Momen. Mahmud highlighted Thailand's role as a pivotal ASEAN trade partner and pointed to Bangladesh's socio-economic strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, including its transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Salman Fazlur Rahman detailed incentives for foreign investors and encouraged Thai investment, particularly in the tourism sector, emphasizing potential technology transfers from Thailand to Bangladesh.  Additionally, in light of the newly enacted Offshore Banking Act 2024, Ahasanul Islam Titu, the State Minister of Commerce, urged Thai investors to consider Bangladesh as a regional investment hub. The event also featured discussions on enhancing people-to-people contacts to strengthen bilateral relationships and insights from Charles Frederick, Senior Executive Vice President of Sutec Co Ltd, who proposed collaborations to revitalize Bangladesh's sugar mills, potentially establishing a private investment-friendly policy framework in the sugarcane industry. The business meeting concluded with a presentation by a representative from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), highlighting sectors like Agribusiness, Digital Economy, Logistics, and Light Manufacturing as prime opportunities for Thai investors. Environment Minister holds bilateral meeting with Saudi climate negotiator in Berlin. The gathering, attended by prominent business figures from the Thai community, reinforced the longstanding diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Thailand, enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.  Abdul Hye, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Thailand, and Makawadi Sumitmor, the Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh, expressed their gratitude to all attendees for their participation and support in fostering a comprehensive partnership between the two nations.