United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Thursday said inclusion of the political leaders in Bangladesh’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year is a welcome step, as it provides an opportunity to showcase the national unity before the world, regardless of political differences. “It also offers our leaders a chance to bridge gaps and build understanding while spending time together,” he said. By including the political leaders in the official Bangladesh delegation, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has once again demonstrated his wisdom and statesmanship, Azad said, adding,  “Let us hope this visit proves to be as successful as anticipated.” BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen will be part of the Bangladesh delegation to the 80th UNGA at the invitation of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. With an elected government expected to take office in February, this year’s UNGA comes at a critical moment, Azad said. In a world unsettled by multiple conflicts, he thinks, the forum can serve as a valuable platform for Bangladesh’s political leadership to strengthen mutual understanding. “The plenary session on the Rohingya crisis following the UNGA makes the physical presence of our leaders all the more crucial for ensuring policy continuity,” Azad said. In addition, he said, meetings with NRBs and business leaders could provide valuable insights for the country’s governance in the near future. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will reach New York on September 22 to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is set to deliver his official statement and hold a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines. 2013 Shapla Chattar violence claimed at least 58 lives: DPS Azad The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday. The Chief Adviser will leave Dhaka for New York by a commercial flight. He is scheduled to return home on October 2, said the Foreign Affairs Adviser.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said Bangladesh and China will move forward hand in hand to advance their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, bringing peace, prosperity and happiness to the people of both countries and the world. In a video message on Wednesday night marking two occasions, Prof Yunus reviewed the development of bilateral relations over the past 50 years, stating that China is Bangladesh's closest friend and most reliable partner. Extending warm congratulations on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic ties, he expressed gratitude for China's long-standing trust, assistance, and support for Bangladesh. He spoke highly of the remarkable achievements made by China under the leadership of the Communist Party of China in areas such as economic development, technological innovation, poverty alleviation, and serving the people, as well as its inspiration and contributions to the Global South and the international community.

Bangladesh has acknowledged the support of the European Union (EU) to the Election Commission and extended a warm welcome to the forthcoming visit of the EU pre-election exploratory Mission to Bangladesh. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday outlined the interim government’s ongoing efforts to lay the groundwork for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026. Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Mounir Satouri met the Foreign Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the issues of mutual interest, including the upcoming national election. Satouri is currently leading a European Parliament delegation, comprising four fellow Members of Parliament. The delegation said the EU will continue to support the democratic transition in Bangladesh, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BNP leaders meet EU team; discuss election, democratic transition Building on the Chair’s comment, one of the MEPs said, “Democracy is backsliding around the world. However, Bangladesh is moving in the right direction to uphold democracy despite many challenges.” The Foreign Adviser briefed the delegation on the interim government’s reform initiatives focused on upholding fundamental rights and strengthening of domestic institutions to uphold democratic values and prevent future occurrence of human rights violations. He also reaffirmed the interim government’s unswerving commitment to international human rights standards, highlighting recent accessions to key UN human rights instruments, including the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. EU lauds Dhaka’s collaborative efforts in addressing irregular migration

A group of 10 Bangladeshi youth, nominated by the interim government of Bangladesh, participated in the BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the government of India from September 9-11 in Guwahati, Assam. This is the second edition of the event as the first BIMSTEC Youth Summit was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India in February 2025 which also saw the participation of 10 Bangladeshi youth delegates. The Summit underscored that the young leaders of the Bay of Bengal region should come together for ushering in inclusivity and deeper regional cooperation. The event also spotlighted the strategic importance of North East India as a land bridge linking the Bay of Bengal community and advancing socio-economic integration. The initiative, part of the 21-point action plan announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, was organized in partnership with the Bharat Scouts and Guides and inaugurated by the governor of Assam. It brought together over 80 dynamic young leaders from across all BIMSTEC member states. Apart from representatives from Bangladesh Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladeshi delegation included participants from various sectors ranging from ed-tech entrepreneur to lawyer, museum curator to social and political activists. BIMSTEC joins Asia-Pacific Group on money laundering as 'observer' The Bangladeshi delegates returned with enhanced skills, innovative ideas, and strengthened networks that will contribute to regional development efforts, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Their active participation showcased Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing the shared prosperity and connectivity goals of BIMSTEC. The Summit is in line with India’s Neighborhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR visions, and reinforces the collective resolve to nurture the region’s young leaders who will shape policies, strengthen cooperation, and confront the challenges of the future. As part of its commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties, all expenses were fully funded by the Government of India. Dhaka reaffirms strong commitment to BIMSTEC process with enhanced cooperation Over the course of three days, the Summit engaged young leaders on themes of resilient and inclusive 21st century leadership, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and socially responsive innovation. Cultural exchanges and country-sharing sessions further strengthened mutual understanding and solidarity among BIMSTEC nations.

US Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson joined senior Bangladesh Armed Forces officials on Wednesday at Zahurul Haque Cantonment in Chattogram to observe Exercise Pacific Angel 25, a multilateral program focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The seven-day multilateral exercise brings together nearly 92 U.S. and 90 Bangladesh Air Force personnel, two Sri Lanka Air Force medical personnel, the Oregon Air National Guard, and regional partners to enhance cooperation in medical readiness, air safety, engineering support, and disaster management operations, said US Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai on Wednesday.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members will not be able to cast votes from abroad through postal ballots if their National Identity (NID) Cards remain locked during the next election, according to remark made by Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Wednesday. “No one whose NID is locked will be able to vote from abroad,” he said while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban. The EC secretary, however, did not mention anyone's name. Formation of ‘election commission service’ sought for EC staff EC officials confirmed that the NID cards of Sheikh Hasina and nine other members of her family were suspended on February 16, 2025 by the EC’s National Identity Registration Wing. Those whose NIDs were locked include Hasina’s son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Rehana Siddiq, nieces Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby. Besides, Hasina’s former security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique (brother-in-law of Sheikh Rehana) and his wife Shahin Siddique and their daughter Bushra Siddique have also had their NID cards suspended. So, none of them, including Hasina, will be able to exercise voting rights from abroad. Replying to a question on whether Hasina can cast her vote from abroad, the EC Secretary said “Her NID is locked. Those whose NIDs are locked cannot vote.” The EC official explained that once an NID is suspended, it cannot be used for any purpose, including voter registration. For the first time, the Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is set to introduce an IT-supported postal ballot system for expatriate Bangladeshis, where having an active NID is mandatory for registration. February election crucial for Bangladesh’s democratic transition: Gwyn Lewis In the upcoming parliamentary election, there will be both in-country and out-of-country voting (OCV). “The expatriates will register online, and a system is being developed for this,” said Akhtar Ahmed. But he said there is no bar on voting for those living abroad to due to lawsuits, exile, or any other reason, if their NIDs remain active. Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, following a student-led mass uprising that toppled her government. Since then, she and many of her party colleagues have been living abroad.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) detained a 28-year-old man, Avinash Chandra Roy Rabi, while he was cutting grass for cattle in the Hati Bandha area of Lalmonirhat on Wednesday. The incident occurred around noon near Sub-Pillar 13S of the 895 Main Pillar under the Singimari Border Outpost of the 61 BGB Tista Battalion. Avinash, son of Monoranjan Roy, had recently returned home from Dhaka, where he worked as a tiles mason. According to local sources, Avinash went to the border area to collect fodder for cattle when BSF personnel apprehended him. His family informed the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) about the incident. BGB officials have requested a flag meeting with BSF to secure his release. BGB-BSF meeting held near Jhenaidah border Hati Bandha Police Officer-in-Charge Mahmud Un Nabi confirmed the incident and said the BGB is taking all necessary steps through the flag meeting to ensure Avinash’s safe return.

The Bangladesh Air Force, in collaboration with the United States Pacific Air Forces, is currently conducting a seven-day joint exercise, ‘Operation Pacific Angel 25-3’. As part of the drills, various air, ground, and wartime scenario exercises were held on Wednesday. A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the exercises included transportation of critically injured patients and transferring them from one aircraft to another. Such exercises aim to enhance emergency medical response, in-flight coordination, and rapid decision-making capabilities. Search and rescue operations were also conducted, focusing on coordinated response and timely evacuation of casualties during accidents, adverse weather conditions, or combat situations. Bangladesh, US to continue joint military exercises eyeing safer region   On the ground, exercises included combat tracking and survival drills. Combat tracking focused on detecting enemy movements, covert tracking, and developing strategic planning skills. Survival exercises provided practical experience in using limited resources to stay alive, sourcing food and water, concealment, and safely escaping from enemy encirclement in challenging environments. The joint exercise is expected to significantly enhance the forces’ ability to operate together during emergencies and wartime operations, marking a milestone for future collaborative missions.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will reach New York on September 22 to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is set to deliver his official statement and hold a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines. The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday. Hossain said Prof Yunus, in his speech, is expected to highlight the activities of the last year and the interim government commitment to true democracy through reforms and elections scheduled for February next year. He is expected to address a wide range of pressing global issues, including peacekeeping, climate change and climate justice, the Sustainable Development Goals, illicit financial flows, safe migration and migrant rights, sustainable technology transfer in the age of artificial intelligence, as well as a call for ceasefire and permanent peace in Palestine.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a ‘free, fair, transparent and festive’ general election in the first half of February next year.  “The general election will be peaceful, fair, transparent and festive,” he said, adding that the interim government remains determined to hold it as scheduled, though ‘certain forces’ are still attempting to delay the polls. Prof Yunus made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) led by Mounir Satouri, held at the State Guest House Jamuna, said his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. “We have already announced the timeline for the election. It will be held in early February, just before Ramadan,” the Chief Adviser told the visiting delegation. Prof Yunus noted growing enthusiasm among the public, particularly the youth, as student body elections have resumed in universities after years—some after more than three decades. Prof Yunus to kick off packed 80th UNGA schedule on Sept 22 He expressed confidence that young voters would turn out in record numbers, as this will be the first time in over 15 years that many of them will be casting their ballots. “Bangladesh will witness a new beginning through the February election. It will mark a new chapter in our history, a new journey for the nation,” he said. During the hour-long discussion, the Chief Adviser and the MEPs exchanged views on the government’s reform initiatives, the European Union’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development and democratic transition, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.