United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday highly appreciated the Norwegian support and sympathy towards the Palestinian people. She expressed her appreciation while the outgoing ambassador of Norway Espen Rikter-Svendsen called on her at her office (PMO), PM’s press secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan told reporters after the meeting.   Muslim Ummah must stand united against Israeli genocide in Palestine: PM Hasina The Norwegian ambassador said that his country is historically sympathetic towards the Palestinian people. “For a long time Norway has presided the donor community on the Palestine,” he said.     Regarding the recent Palestinian issue and inhumane atrocities in the Palestine by the Israeli forces the ambassador said: “My heart is bleeding,” according to the press secretary. The envoy requested the prime Minister to open Bangladesh embassy in Norway. To this the prime minister said that Bangladesh will definitely establish an embassy there at a reasonable time. Western nations have double standard in regard to plight of Palestine: PM Hasina The envoy was quoted as saying that he is satisfied with the highest court’s verdict on the quota issue and subsequent the gazette notification on this.  According to the press secretary the ambassador hailed the government’s decision to try the perpetrators of recent violence through a neutral investigation. Rikter-Svendsen mentioned that he came to Bangladesh as the ambassador during COVID-19 pandemic. He said that he was impressed to see the success of COVID-19 pandemic management of Bangladesh at that time. Talking about the shipbreaking industry of Bangladesh, the Norwegian envoy said that once it was dangerous, but now it is gradually developing as a world class industry. UN to vote on resolution that would grant Palestine new rights and revive its UN membership bid “If Bangladesh,being the number one country in shipbreaking industry, advances systematically considering the environment issues, then the country’s position will be strengthened further in the sector,” he said. PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin were present during the meeting.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has completed his tenure in Bangladesh without any farewell meetings with the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister what normally happen. Platform of Bangladeshi-Americans write to Peter Haas to review Dr. Yunus’s actions “Ambassador Peter Haas completed his tenure as scheduled,” acting spokesperson at US Embassy in Dhaka Leonard Hill told UNB when asked about his departure from Bangladesh. He said Helen LaFavre, the Deputy Head of the US Mission, is now the Charge D’Affaires. A diplomatic source said Peter Haas left Dhaka early Tuesday via Doha but did not provide further details. 'More capable of solving problems when working together': Peter Haas The US government nominated David S Meale, who served in Dhaka as Deputy Head of Mission, as new US Ambassador to Bangladesh but his formal approval remains pending. It seems that Helen LaFavre will lead the US Mission in Dhaka in the next few months until the US election is held, a diplomatic source hinted.   Empowering Bangladesh with clean energy today means a brighter, sustainable future for generations to come: Peter Haas

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has communicated with the Indian government through diplomatic channel, noting that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on social media could create confusion among people. “With due respect to (West Bengal) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, I would like to say, we have excellent relations with her. We have deep relations. But her remarks created confusion to some extent and there is scope to be misled,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said. Hasan said that the foreign ministry has informed the India government through a diplomatic note regarding the issue. The foreign minister made the remark when a journalist asked for his comments on what Mamata shared from her X (formerly known as Twitter) handle.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said his country’s special envoy on Asian affairs will be visiting Bangladesh soon. He shared the information when Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud raised the issue of Rohingya repatriation and China’s support to that end. Ambassador Yao on Tuesday said China agrees that there is no other solution except safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland. All friends and partners of Bangladesh want to see a quick resolution of present situation: Whiteley “It is a big problem for Bangladesh,” he said, noting that conflict broke out in Myanmar and it is intensifying in Rakhine, too. Bangladesh is hosting nearly 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char with babies born every year. Responding to a question from a journalist on the ongoing quota reform movement, Ambassador Yao, after his meeting with Minister Hasan, said it is Bangladesh’s “internal matter” and China believes that the people and the government of Bangladesh are fully capable of establishing and maintaining peace in the country.  The ambassador shed light on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to China and discussed bilateral issues including determining the focal point of Bangladesh in terms of comprehensive economic cooperation with China, celebrating 50 years of China’s diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, and advancing comprehensive strategic cooperation. The Foreign Minister through the ambassador invited the Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time and urged China to build another road-tunnel in Chattogram. PM Hasina orders judicial probe into violence, killings during job quota protests by students Ambassador Yao told reporters that under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation, China is working to release two billion US dollars for Bangladesh. Ambassador Yao on Tuesday described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China as a “tremendous success” and highlighted four prominent features – higher, broader, pragmatic and consolidated.

Outgoing Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley has said all friends and partners of Bangladesh want to see a quick resolution of the present situation and the avoidance of further violence and bloodshed. He shared his brief remarks through his social media handle on Wednesday. "This week, I have met many talented Bangladeshi students," he said, adding that next week, they will gather all Bangladeshi Erasmus scholars before they head to Europe for their studies.

UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk has urged the authorities in Bangladesh to engage with the student protesters. "All acts of violence and use of force, especially resulting in loss of life, must be investigated and perpetrators held to account," reads a message shared by the UN Rights body through X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental human rights, the message reads.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York and the concurrently accredited Bangladesh High Commissioner to Jamaica Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith has expressed the hope that Bangladesh and Jamaica would continue to work closely in different international fora including the United Nations and the Commonwealth. The two sides agreed that there are tremendous potentials to further deepen and expand bilateral relations at every front. Two countries also discussed issues related to possible signing of the proposed MoU for holding regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Jamaica, which could be a platform for advancing overall bilateral cooperation between the two friendly nations. They also highlighted the profound bond between the two countries, deeply rooted in their shared values and commitment as well as the passion for cricket and music. The Ambassador presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Linton Allen on Tuesday at the King’s House in Kingston, Jamaica. High Commissioner Muhith conveyed the greetings of the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the Governor General, the government, and the people of Jamaica. The Governor General wished High-Commissioner Muhith well and expressed the hope that during his tenure, the existing bilateral relations would be further strengthened. Before presentation of the credentials, High Commissioner Muhith had a courtesy meeting with Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, at her office. The Foreign and Foreign Trade Minister applauded Bangladesh’s development efforts and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Foreign and Foreign Trade Minister of Jamaica and the Bangladesh High-Commissioner discussed various issues of mutual interests, and both expressed a keen desire to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries at different levels. The High Commissioner mentioned that bilateral relations between the two friendly nations could be enhanced through regular bilateral consultations, exchange of business missions, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contact. High Commissioner Muhith underscored the need for increased bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and Jamaica. During the call on, High Commissioner Muhith explored the possibility of exchange of trade delegations between the countries and touted that Jamaica could play instrumental role facilitating Bangladesh’s enhanced relations with the CARICOM Economic Community. The Bangladesh High Commissioner proposed a high-level exchange of visits between the two countries and extended invitations to the Governor General and the Foreign and Foreign Trade Minister of Jamaica to visit Bangladesh. During the visit, the High Commissioner was accompanied by Ruby Parveen, spouse and Md. Rafiqul Alam Molla, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, New York.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has appreciated Square’s pioneering role as a Bangladeshi investment in Africa. He encouraged Square to further strengthen its footprint in Kenya as well as all across the Continent. The Foreign Secretary exchanged views with the senior executives of Square Pharmaceuticals Limited in Nairobi on July 16. He was in Nairobi to attend the 2nd Kenya-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultation (FOC). The project engineer, CFO and Chief of human resources of Square Pharmaceuticals Limited explained the journey of Square Pharma in Kenya as one of the flagship projects abroad of Bangladeshi Pharma giant, Square Pharmaceuticals. They narrated the opportunities and challenges they faced to establish the facility in Nairobi inside the Athi river EPZ, in the outskirt of Nairobi. They also explained the investment planning, operation, marketing and distribution of Square Pharma. The factory has already rolled into production in Kenya and soon poised to supply its products into the East African Community (EAC) market. In the evening, during a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya, Tareque Muhammad, the Foreign Secretary interacted with the members of the Bangladeshi Community in Nairobi, who are working in UN, International organizations, NGOs and International bank and financial institutions.

The United Nations has called on the government of Bangladesh to protect the demonstrators against any form of threat or violence. The UN especially mentioned those who may be protesting peacefully and may need extra protection, such as young people or children or people with disabilities. All primary schools under 8 city corporation areas declared shut indefinitely "But it is a fundamental human right to be able to demonstrate peacefully, and Governments should protect those rights," said Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, in a regular briefing in New York on July 16. Responding to a question, he said they are very much aware of the situation, which they following closely and with concern. UGC closes all public, private universities indefinitely " I think whether it’s in Bangladesh or anywhere else in the world, people have a right to demonstrate peacefully," said the Spokesperson.

Bangladesh and Kenya on Tuesday emphasized the importance of strengthening existing engagements and exploring new avenues of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. The 2nd Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and Kenya concluded in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. Meloni's meeting with PM boosted ties, Italian foreign affairs official says The consultation was led by Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, and Dr. A. Korir Sing’Oei, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs of Kenya. A significant outcome of the consultation was the Kenyan delegation’s reassurance to open a resident mission in Dhaka before the end of this financial year. Both sides also agreed to expedite the process and ensure effective communication channels until the mission is operational. During the opening session, the leaders of both delegations highlighted the historical ties and shared values between the two countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, both sides expressed a positive outlook on the ongoing negotiation on the visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports and both sides committed to finalizing the agreement to facilitate smoother diplomatic exchanges and foster closer cooperation. Both delegations agreed to continue collaborating under the South-South Triangular Cooperation framework to secure funding for joint projects aligned with the UN SDGs within the UN Agenda 2030. Both delegations also agreed to revive the Joint Commission of Cooperation, with its inauguration scheduled for the next round of FOC to be held in Dhaka in mid-2025. In terms of economic cooperation, Bangladesh proposed formalizing investment commitments through an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Japanese vice-minister for foreign affairs visits Dhaka Community Medical College and Hospital site Kenya welcomed this proposal and agreed to work closely to conclude the agreement. Both sides also agreed to form a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on trade and investment to follow up cooperation on trade and investment. Regarding agricultural cooperation, Kenya expressed enthusiasm for Bangladesh’s proposal on contract farming. Both sides agreed to undertake reciprocal visits by technical teams to study and develop the best business model for implementing contract farming and investing in agro-processing industries. The export of ready-made garments and leather was another key topic of discussion. Bangladesh extended an invitation to a multi-sectoral team from Kenya to visit and explore opportunities in these sectors. Both sides agreed that deepening defence cooperation through exchanges and coordination between their Defence Colleges, including student and lecturer exchanges, conference invitations, and joint colloquiums, will strengthen the existing ties between the countries.  The delegations also expressed their eagerness to finalize the MoU on Defence Cooperation soon. The Kenyan side expressed their intention to propose an MoU on Cooperation in the Blue Economy and Fisheries, eager to learn from Bangladesh’s expertise in these areas. Bangladesh welcomed the proposal, and both sides agreed to initiate negotiations on this important initiative. During the meeting, Tareque Muhammad, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kenya, and A.F.M. Zahid-Ul-Islam, Director General (Africa), were also present. Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs meets Hasan Mahmud in Kampala The Kenyan delegation included representatives from various state agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, as well as the State Departments of Trade, Agriculture, Medical Services, Blue Economy, and Fisheries. The consultation ended on a positive note, with both delegations reaffirming their commitment to working together on the agreed agendas. The next FOC will be held in Dhaka, where further progress on these initiatives will be reviewed, and new areas of cooperation will be explored.