United News of Bangladesh

Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Sunday met Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and their discussion placed particular emphasis on AFD-supported flagship initiatives, including the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant project. This major infrastructure initiative, co-financed by international partners, is designed to ensure a sustainable and environmentally sound water supply system for Dhaka. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to provide safe drinking water to millions of residents while significantly reducing reliance on depleting groundwater resources, said the Embassy in Dhaka after the meeting. At the meeting, both sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation. France currently stands as one of the largest bilateral development partners in Bangladesh’s local government sector, with commitments amounting to approximately €690 million in ongoing and planned projects. They discussed the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-III project, also a flagship initiative, co-financed by European Investment Bank, France, Germany and Denmark, which aims to increase water treatment capacity for Dhaka residents. The Ambassador also shared insights on France’s continued engagement with Bangladesh’s new government, emphasising readiness to deepen cooperation across sectors such as climate adaptation, urban development, and public service delivery. He congratulated the Minister and reaffirmed France’s strong commitment to Bangladesh’s development journey, particularly in the areas of urban infrastructure, water supply, and sustainable development. The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding engagement of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a key partner in supporting Bangladesh’s LGRD sector. He expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties through increased collaboration, technical expertise, and investment.

The Consular Corps in Bangladesh (CCB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at Lamda Hall of Gulshan Club in Dhaka, where a new Executive Committee for the 2026–2027 term was elected. Nasreen Fatema Awal, Honorary Consul General of Mongolia, was elected President of the CCB. Reshadur Rahman, Honorary Consul General of Poland, will serve as Immediate Past President, according to a media release. Shahab Sattar (Cyprus) and Shakhawat Hossain (Portugal) have been elected Vice Presidents. Kazi Shah Muzakker Ahmadul Hoque Ishmam (Croatia) will serve as Secretary General, while Masud Jamil Khan (Ireland) has been elected Treasurer. The Executive Committee members include Faruque Hassan (Greece), Mohammad Iftekhar Jonaed (Vanuatu), Arik Morshed (Lao PDR), Mostafa Quamrus Sobhan (Uruguay), and Morshedul Alam Chaklader (Eswatini). The newly elected committee reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing cooperation among honorary consulates and advancing diplomatic engagement in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Russia on Sunday discussed some aspects of security including at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in connection with the upcoming commissioning of the unit number 1. The issues were discussed when Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin met the Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr A K M Shamsul Islam. Russian Military, Air and Naval Attaché Colonel Pavel Ivashinnikov and his Assistant Lieutenant-Colonel Khamit Khalikov were also present at the meeting, said the Russian Embassy in Dhaka. The parties discussed military and technical cooperation between the two countries as well as some aspects of security including at the Rooppur NPP in connection with the upcoming commissioning of the unit 1, said the Russian Mission in Dhaka.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday said Bangladesh needs to seek a waiver from the United States to purchase Russian oil as the US has imposed restrictions on all countries regarding such purchases. “Restrictions are in place for all countries regarding the purchase of Russian oil. Therefore, you need to seek a waiver from these restrictions,” he told reporters at after the first courtesy meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen. After the meeting, the US Ambassador described his meeting with Prime Minister Tarique as ‘very productive.” “I am looking forward to working together as we pursue common goals that benefit the people of both Bangladesh and the United States," said Ambassador Christensen.  

Given the inherent uncertainty, Bangladesh must continue to utilise the remaining pre-graduation period to advance substantive preparation for graduation including implementation of priority actions under the smooth transition strategy, regardless of whether any procedural engagement is pursued, according to the Bangladesh Graduation Readiness Assessment report. Securing additional time will require intensive and coordinated diplomacy including early engagement with the relevant committee and focused mobilisation of support for endorsement by the General Assembly, the report said.   It will also be essential to bring major development and trading partners into the discussions and demonstrate that any additional time would be used to accelerate and deepen the implementation of the smooth transition strategy through clearly specified, time-bound measures, rather than simply to defer adjustment. Bangladesh is approaching a pivotal milestone in its development journey as it prepares to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) category on 24 November 2026, having made considerable progress in income, human development and structural resilience. In this context, and with a view to ensuring that graduation is smooth, sustainable and fully aligned with national development aspirations, the government of Bangladesh requested the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) to facilitate an independent readiness assessment of the country’s graduation. Responding to this request, UN-OHRLLS commissioned the present graduation readiness assessment, undertaken through extensive consultations with government representatives, the private sector, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders in Bangladesh. The assessment was carried out by two independent experts, Mohammad Abdur Razzaque and Daniel Gay, who bring long-standing experience on LDC graduation, trade and development, and who worked in close cooperation with national counterparts and the United Nations system. This report does not revisit whether Bangladesh meets the formal criteria for graduation, which has already been firmly established by successive triennial reviews of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy and endorsed by the General Assembly. Rather, it examines the country’s preparedness to manage the transition out of LDC status in a way that safeguards development gains, addresses emerging vulnerabilities and strengthens the foundations for a more competitive, inclusive and resilient economy in the years beyond graduation. Almost all stakeholders consulted as part of the present graduation readiness assessment expressed concern that preparations for LDC graduation are taking place amid a deteriorating macroeconomic environment, rising vulnerability and a fluid political transition, which together have constrained policy manoeuvrability and implementation capacity. In this context, most stakeholders were of the view that additional preparatory time, if used in a disciplined and targeted manner, could help to reduce the risk of abrupt adjustment and safeguard hard-won development gains. At the high-level meeting on forging ambitious global partnerships for sustainable and resilient graduation of least developed countries, an outcome document was adopted in which ministers and officials took note of the Committee for Development Policy’s finding that, given current global uncertainties, a preparatory period of at least five years was necessary for countries to effectively prepare for a smooth transition. It recognised that, in the light of emerging and systemic risks, an extension of the preparatory period by an additional three years could be necessary, depending on the needs of a country in response to domestic or external shocks and evolving vulnerabilities. On the question of LDC graduation, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury ruled out any immediate move in that direction, stating that the BNP government has been working in line with its electoral manifesto to strengthen the economy. Bangladesh, Khosru emphasised, will consider LDC graduation only after achieving adequate economic preparedness.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has reiterated India’s support for a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. The High Commissioner was invited to a prize-distribution ceremony of a national-level Srimad Bhagavad Gita recitation competition organised by the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) at the Dhakeshwari Temple premises on April 4. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, BPUP President Basudeb Dhar and other senior dignitaries also attended and addressed the event, said High Commission on Sunday.    

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has said art is a very strong medium in Bangladesh-India relationship that brings the people together. "It manifests that connection. Apart from the fact that we share a history, geography, language, culture, traditions, art has always been a foundational connector between us," he said. The High Commissioner, while speaking at a function on Friday, said exchange of art and artists had been something that has been very profoundly part of their culture, of our engagement. "They have inspired each other, they have influenced each other, they have collaborated with each other to produce masterpieces," said the Indian envoy. The High Commissioner said he looks forward to more and more exchanges between Bangladesh and India in the field of art, and they will be very happy to facilitate it, enable it and encourage it in whatever way we can.

Appreciating renowned photographer Nasir Ali Mamun's photography, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet has said literature and arts have always held a central place in cultural life, shaping thought, identity, and dialogue across generations in France, as in Bangladesh. "In the hands of a photographer such as Nasir Ali Mamun, photography becomes not only an artistic expression but also an act of cultural preservation," said the Ambassador, adding that his black-and-white portraits reveal a remarkable mastery of light and shadow. The inaugural ceremony of Mamun’s 66th solo exhibition was held at Alliance Française de Dhaka on Friday featuring rare portraits and moments of eminent poets Shamsur Rahman and Al Mahmud. Editor and Publisher of Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman and artist Monirul Islam were, among others, present. "Through simplicity of composition and careful framing, he invites us to look beyond appearances and to encounter the inner world of his subjects," the French Ambassador said. He said these are not merely photographs; they are quiet and powerful moments of reflection. "This is especially evident in his portraits of two eminent poets, Shamsur Rahman and Al Mahmud. Through his lens, they appear not only as major literary figures, but as deeply human—thoughtful, sensitive, and introspective," said the envoy. He thinks this exhibition creates a dialogue between literature and visual art, between word and image, allowing them to experience poetry in a new and intimate manner. The relationship between Mamun and Alliance Française de Dhaka is also particularly meaningful. The Alliance continues to serve as a vital space for cultural exchange, creativity, and intellectual engagement, said the French envoy. He warmly congratulated Mamun for this remarkable body of work, and thanked the Alliance Française de Dhaka for hosting this important exhibition. This exhibition brings together photography, poetry, memory, and history in a deeply compelling and meaningful way. "As we reflect on nearly 200 years of photography, an art form with strong historical roots in France, we are reminded that photography is far more than a means of capturing images. It is a way of preserving life, emotion, and the passage of time," he said. Over the decades, the envoy said, it has evolved into a universal language.  

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is set to host its first-ever Media Networking Session and Roadshow (B2B) & Networking Evening in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh on April 5 and 6 respectively. This landmark initiative marks a significant step in strengthening tourism ties between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while enhancing destination awareness among Bangladeshi travellers, organisers informed. They also said the Media Networking Session scheduled for April 5 is expected to attract over 40 leading media representatives from Bangladesh, providing a platform to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings, including leisure, culture, wellness, and adventure experiences. The session aims to foster stronger engagement with the media and generate positive destination publicity in the Bangladeshi market. Following this, the Roadshow (B2B) & Networking Evening will be held on April 6 with approximately 150 Bangladeshi travel agents and tour operators in attendance. This business-focused event will facilitate direct interactions between Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi travel trade stakeholders, creating valuable opportunities for partnerships and business expansion. The Sri Lankan delegation will be led by Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, alongside Shirani Herath, Assistant Director – South Asia. The delegation includes representatives from 19 leading Sri Lankan travel and tourism companies, who will engage in productive networking sessions to promote Sri Lanka as a preferred travel destination among Bangladeshi travellers. Bangladesh continues to be an emerging and important source market for Sri Lanka Tourism. In 2025, Sri Lanka recorded 59,563 tourist arrivals from Bangladesh, contributing 3% of the total tourist arrivals. In 2026, up to 31st March, Sri Lanka has already welcomed 11,079 visitors from Bangladesh, accounting for 2% of the total arrivals. These figures highlight the steady growth potential of the market and the importance of targeted promotional efforts. Through these initiatives, Sri Lanka Tourism aims to further strengthen its presence in Bangladesh, enhance destination visibility, and build long-term collaborations with key stakeholders in the travel and media industries.

Bangladesh and Japan held the second round of talks on Friday to chart a path for operationalising the long-delayed third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). The discussions focused on revenue-related arrangements, with both sides planning further meetings to finalise decision. The bilateral meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs involved high-level officials from both countries to discuss the operation and maintenance of the nearly-complete terminal. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman chaired the meeting. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kabir, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, among other senior officials, attended the meeting. The Japanese delegation was headed by Nakayama Riiko, Assistant Vice Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The meeting comes as the government seeks to resume negotiations with the Japanese consortium to operationalise the terminal, which is over 99 percent complete but has yet to commence full commercial operations. A preliminary discussion on the matter was held on March 13 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also chaired by the Foreign Minister.