United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan would begin direct flights with Bangladesh by the end of this year, with an expectation to get help in trade and business between the two countries – confirmed Jam Kamal Khan, the Commerce Minister of Pakistan, in a meeting at the Chattogram World Trade Center on Friday noon. Sheikh Bashir Uddin, the Commerce Adviser of Bangladesh and other business leaders from various sectors of Chattogram were also present at the meeting. Various other issues, such as import-export of leather, sugar, garment items, agriculture and food products were also subjects of discussion in the meeting. Bangladesh, Pakistan to allow visa-free entry for govt officials Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, said that the meeting focused on growing trade and making business stronger. He said, “The government wants to build strong trade ties with as many countries as possible.” The Pakistani minister also visited Chattogram Port and factories while officials from Chattogram Chamber of Commerce were present.

The National Identity (NID) service has officially been launched at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, marking a significant step towards easing access to essential services for expatriate Bangladeshis in Japan. Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission and chief guest at the event, inaugurated the service at the embassy’s hall room on Friday. In his remarks, Akhtar Ahmed said that many Bangladeshis living in Japan do not possess a national identity card, which has long created barriers in availing various public services in Bangladesh. “With the launch of this programme, expatriate Bangladeshis in Japan can now obtain NID-related services directly from the embassy,” he said. He also mentioned that the Election Commission is working on enabling overseas Bangladeshis to vote in upcoming national elections through postal ballots. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali said that a long-standing demand of expatriate Bangladeshis living in Japan has been fulfilled through the launch of NID service in Japan. The event was attended by officials from the Election Commission, members of the Bangladeshi community in Japan, and embassy staff.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed the hope that the UN Conference in New York in September last week will provide concrete pathways to the resolution of the prolonged Rohingya crisis. He said that the recent cut in financial support to the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh is taking its toll on the provision of essential services, including health and education. Prof Yunus requested Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews to continue his efforts in ensuring the availability of adequate funding. The issues were discussed when Andrews called on Chief Advisor Prof Yunus on Thursday, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Friday. Govt intensifies efforts to bring back Rohingya issue to global forums Andrew lauded the leadership of the Chief Adviser for keeping the Rohingya issue at the forefront of the international agenda. He recalled the successful initiative of the Chief Adviser to convene a UN International Conference on the Rohingyas, which will be held on September 30 at the UN headquarters in New York. "The world is grateful to Bangladesh for its generosity to host and support the Rohingyas and to you for keeping the hope of a lasting solution alive," said Andrews. Prof Yunus seeks Malaysia’s support in resolving Rohingya crisis

The Advisory Council of the interim government has approved the draft of a reciprocal agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed the information at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy following a meeting of the Advisory Council at the Chief Adviser’s Office. According to the draft agreement, holders of diplomatic and official passports from Bangladesh will be able to visit Pakistan without a visa, while Pakistani passport holders of the same category will be allowed to enter Bangladesh without a visa as well. “The agreement will remain valid for five years. Bangladesh has previously signed similar agreements with 31 other countries,” said Shafiqul Alam. Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the press conference.

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Thursday said Bangladesh is set to sign several trade agreements with Pakistan to enhance bilateral cooperation. The adviser made the announcement during a press conference held at the Secretariat. The announcement followed a meeting between the adviser and visiting Pakistani Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, during which both parties engaged in open discussions to boost trade. “We want to work together in food and agricultural development,” said the adviser. “Discussions included importing and exporting fruits, particularly pineapples, and seeking Pakistan’s support in boosting local sugar production. They have responded positively to all proposals.” The adviser also mentioned Bangladesh’s request for the removal of the anti-dumping tax imposed by Pakistan on hydrogen peroxide imports, expressing optimism about a favourable outcome. In addition, Bangladesh has announced a duty-free export of 10 million kg of tea to the Pakistani market. Bangladesh launches YVM to raise young people’s voices in decision making The Pakistan Commerce Minister will remain in Dhaka for three more days to continue talks, with several agreements expected to be signed during the visit. Bashir Uddin said they are also looking to establish a Trade and Investment Commission between the two countries. He emphasised the untapped business potential between Bangladesh and Pakistan. When asked whether closer trade ties with Pakistan might strain relations with India, the adviser declined to comment, stating, “Please ask the Foreign Affairs Adviser. We are focused on national interest and boosting our trade capabilities.” Pakistan's Commerce Minister in Dhaka on 4-day visit Regarding 1971 issues, Bashir Uddin said the topic did not come up in discussions. Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said that trade between the two countries had been minimal for nearly 15 years. Pakistan has shown a renewed interest, and we see no barriers to expanding trade, he said. “Currently, we import more than we export to Pakistan. Our goal is to reverse that trend and create a more balanced and beneficial trade relationship,” he added. Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, Political Counsellor Kamran Dhangal, Trade and Investment Representative Zain Aziz, and Trade Assistant Waqas Yasin, were also present.

Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh Lance Bonneau has said accurate and timely migration data is central to effective and humane migration governance and critical in informing policy development to address Bangladesh’s diverse mobility trends, spanning labour migration, climate-induced displacement and return migration. Bonneau made the remarks while speaking at a national dialogue held recently. Acting Head of Cooperation and Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Jurate Smalskyte Merville reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to investing in stronger migration data systems, noting the importance of robust evidence across the entire migration cycle. Director General of BBS Mohammed Mizanur Rahman echoed this sentiment reiterating the BBS’s dedication to fostering a comprehensive data ecosystem to guide national planning processes. He underscored ongoing collaboration with UN partners, including IOM, to refine methodologies for data collection and survey activities. Underscoring the United Nations’ long-standing partnership with the government of Bangladesh, Rana Flowers, UN Resident Coordinator (a.i.) in Bangladesh, stressed that reliable data and evidence are key to advancing effective migration governance. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the European Union (EU) and in close coordination with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), convened the national dialogue on the migration data landscape, said IOM in a media release on Thursday. The event brought together senior representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, development partners, UN agencies, and civil society to strengthen collective efforts towards a responsive and integrated migration data system. The dialogue underscored the vital role of accurate, timely and disaggregated migration data in shaping evidence-based policymaking. Participants highlighted that stronger data systems are essential to ensure interventions are inclusive, effective and aligned with national development priorities as well as international commitments, including the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   Two high-level panel discussions formed the centerpiece of the dialogue. The first explored established and emerging data sources on migration, mobility, and displacement, focusing on ways to strengthen cooperation and modernize data systems for policymaking. The second addressed gaps in data on irregular migration, trafficking, and smuggling, emphasising the need for stronger evidence to guide protection measures and inform strategic responses. Key speakers included senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), Department of Disaster Management, and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), alongside experts from UN agencies, the European Union and diplomatic missions. Dr Kazi Shahjahan, Joint Secretary, UN Wing, Economic Relations Division and Md Toufiq-ur-Rahman, Director General, Multilateral Economic Affairs Wing, Ministry of Foreign also spoke at the event.

Marking the International Youth Day, the government and the United Nations system on Thursday launched the design phase of Youth Voice Mechanism (YVM) for Bangladesh. This innovative platform aims to amplify the voices of young people in Bangladesh in policy development and governance processes, ensuring their active participation in shaping the country's future. The YVM will be designed to create a sustainable and inclusive channel for young people, particularly those from marginalised, rural and underrepresented communities, to engage with government stakeholders and contribute to decision-making. This initiative comes in response to growing demands for inclusive governance and recognises the significant role that youths play in driving progress and resilience across Bangladesh. The design phase will employ a mixed-method participatory approach, including divisional workshops, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and national youth surveys to design how a Youth Voice Mechanism could work. These methods will ensure that the mechanism is grounded in the real experiences, aspirations, and ideas of young people across the country, according to the UN Resident Coordinator's office in Dhaka. Empowering Young People "As Bangladesh marks a historical transitional moment, the Youth Voice Mechanism serves as a tool for youth to raise their voices for justice, equality, to share their views on matters that affect them today and in the future," said Rana Flowers, UN Resident Coordinator (a. I.) in Bangladesh. The mechanism responds to the request by Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus during the last United Nations General Assembly. "By creating a platform for meaningful engagement through peaceful and structured means, we are empowering young people to contribute their unique perspectives and shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for their country." The launch of the design phase of the YVM follows International Youth Day on August 12, highlighting the importance of investing in youth and recognising their potential as agents of change for the SDGs and beyond. "We are committed to working with the UN system and young people across Bangladesh to make the Youth Voice Mechanism a success," said Md Mahbub-ul Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. "This initiative will help us to better understand the needs and aspirations of young people and ensure that their voices are reflected in our policies and programmes." The YVM will operate through a multi-faceted approach designed to ensure broad participation and meaningful engagement. This includes establishing online platforms for dialogue and consultation, organizing regional workshops to gather diverse perspectives and conducting targeted research to inform policy recommendations. With the collaboration of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a dedicated secretariat will coordinate these activities, working closely with youth organizations, government agencies, and UN partners to facilitate collaboration and ensure the YVM's responsiveness to evolving needs. The YVM is open to all young people in Bangladesh, regardless of their background, education, or geographic location. Special efforts will be made to reach and include key groups of youth, including indigenous youth, rural and climate-vulnerable youth, youth with disabilities, university students, youth engaged in informal work sectors, young women, gender-diverse youth and those at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities. Young people can contribute to the YVM through online forums, participation in workshops and consultations, submission of policy recommendations, and involvement in advocacy campaigns. The YVM will also provide opportunities for young leaders to develop their skills and build their capacity to engage in governance processes. The YVM is co-designed by youth and relevant stakeholders to ensure legitimacy, diversity and effectiveness. A Steering Committee facilitated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which is comprised of diverse and representative youth leaders from across Bangladesh, will oversee the YVM consultancy process, ensuring that it is youth-led, inclusive, and actionable within the national policy landscape.  

Bangladesh’s first-ever Traffic Management Center (TMC) was launched at Sarak Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday, aiming to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and enhance operational efficiency on national highways. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) under the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) implemented the project. Established under the KOICA-funded project “Improving the Reliability and Safety on National Highway Corridors of Bangladesh through the Introduction of Intelligent Transport System (ITS)” (2020–2025) with a grant of US$8.93 million, the TMC covered the N8 Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, a key route connecting to the Padma Bridge, said a press release. Equipped with advanced ITS technologies, the TMC would enable real-time traffic monitoring, vehicle speed tracking, data analysis, and incident management. PARK Young Sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh was the chief guest and Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Secretary of the Bridge Division of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges was the guest of honour at the event held on Wednesday. KOICA, RHD launch smart maintenance technologies for bridges in Bangladesh Jihoon Kim, Country Director of KOICA, Syed Moinul Hasan, Chief Engineer, RHD and Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and senior officials from RHD, Korea Expressway Corporation and Bangladesh Highway Police were also present. Speaking at the event, Ambassador PARK said Korea is proud to support sustainable infrastructure and connectivity initiatives of Bangladesh. Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf called the TMC a “landmark achievement” in road safety and transport modernization. BRTA Chairman Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed said the system could be integrated with vehicle inspection and driver databases to strengthen enforcement and road safety compliance.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi has said post-uprising Bangladesh must approach meaningful labour reforms with greater confidence, speed and accountability than ever before, with unprecedented levels of social dialogue. "This is not only a moral obligation from the perspective of governance and human rights, it is imperative for the enlightened self-interest of our business community for favourable terms of access to key markets," he said.   The issues were discussed when European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller met him on Wednesday. Made ‘dramatic progress’ on labour reforms: Lutfey Siddiqi tells foreign diplomats "It was a pleasure to catch up on this and other issues with EU Ambassador Michael Miller when he called on me yesterday (Wednesday). We’re grateful for his support," Siddiqi said. "I’m looking forward to meeting a delegation of EU parliamentarians next month," said the Special Envoy in a post from his verified Facebook account on Thursday.

The government of Japan has decided to honour Monzurul Huq, a prominent Bangladeshi journalist based in Tokyo, in recognition of his significant contributions to fostering mutual understanding between Bangladesh and Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi will present certificates to this year’s awardees at a ceremony scheduled for September 5 at Ikura House, the guesthouse of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Huq is the first journalist from a developing country to serve as president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ). For more than two decades, he has reported extensively on Japan-Bangladesh relations for Dhaka Courier and Daily Prothom Alo. Huq emphasises that Japan holds an important place in Bangladesh’s history and economy. Speaking to the media, Huq described the recognition as “unique and inspiring,” adding that it will motivate him to continue presenting an objective image of Japan to the people of Bangladesh. France's last newspaper hawker to receive national honour  from President Macron
 He also said the honour would serve as encouragement for Bangladeshi journalists, who continue to pursue objective reporting at home and abroad despite numerous challenges. Each year, the Japanese government confers the Foreign Minister’s Award on individuals, both Japanese and foreign, who have made notable contributions in fields such as culture, the arts, academia, business and social service, thereby strengthening Japan’s ties with other countries. This year marks the first time that the award will be presented to foreign journalists working in Japan.