United News of Bangladesh

The 45th meeting of the National Task Force (NTF) on Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) was held on July 4 at the office of the RRRC in Cox’s Bazar. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen chaired the meeting. Members of NTF, including representatives of the UN agencies in Bangladesh, World Bank, different ministries and agencies of the Government of Bangladesh, attended the meeting. Various issues related to the management of FDMNs and their repatriation were discussed at length. Earlier, the Foreign Secretary visited the repatriation centres and the FDMN camps where he visited learning, healthcare, skill development, and other facilities.  

 Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud is scheduled to visit New Delhi, India directly from Beijing on July 11 to attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers meeting. India will host the meeting as preparations underway for the next summit to be held in Thailand this year.  Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC Member States will join the meeting.  Hasan will accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her official visit to China from July 8-10. "The foreign minister will go to New Delhi on July 11 from Beijing," a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB on Thursday.  He is likely to return home on July 12 and there is a possibility to hold meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC FM-level meeting, said the official.  On 17 July 2023, Thailand hosted the inaugural BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Bangkok, in which the seven BIMSTEC members expressed their renewed resolve to build a stronger, more resilient, and more relevant grouping.  Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Indra Mani Pandey has said a date has been proposed for the next Summit in Bangkok, Thailand later this year, awaiting approval from the member states. "The date for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will formally be announced soon. It will have some significant outcomes. It will set a direction for the future of the BIMSTEC," he told members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at its Secretariat recently.  The BIMSTEC Secretary General hoped the upcoming Summit would add new vigour to regional cooperation within BIMSTEC. "I believe BIMSTEC has a bright future. All the members are truly committed to make sure BIMSTEC becomes a success story," he said while making a presentation on BIMSTEC activities. The summit will adopt a Bangkok Vision 2030 which would be an overarching kind of document and give direction to the organisation, he said, adding that it would be one of the significant outcomes.  

 Members of the Consular Corps in Bangladesh (CCB) have met State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu and discussed strategic initiatives in light of Bangladesh's upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category. Asif A Chowdhury, Vice President of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Chile, along with Shams Mahmud, Secretary General of the Consular Corps in Bangladesh (CCB) and Honorary Consul of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, met the State Minister of Commerce. They discussed avenues for closer cooperation between the CCB and the Ministry of Commerce, said a media release on Thursday. During the discussion, several key areas of collaboration were highlighted including avenues for Closer Cooperation. Asif A Chowdhury and Shams Mahmud emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between the CCB and the Ministry of Commerce. This collaboration is seen as essential for navigating the post-LDC graduation landscape and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Also identifying potential non-traditional markets was discussed and agreed on the need to work together to identify and tap into potential non-traditional markets. By diversifying export destinations, Bangladesh can mitigate risks and enhance its trade resilience. The discussion also focused on identifying countries with potential for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Establishing FTAs can provide Bangladesh with preferential market access, boosting exports and fostering economic development. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with a commitment to continue dialogue and cooperation. State Minister Ahasanul Islam Titu expressed his appreciation for the proactive efforts of the CCB and assured full support from the Ministry of Commerce.  

 Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma and European Union outgoing ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley met PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah at the Prime Minister’s Office here on Thursday.During the meeting with the Indian envoy, both of them laid special importance to smooth and timely implementation of the projects under Indian Line of Credit (LoC).Pranay Verma on behalf of his government expressed special thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her recent bilateral visit to India.The Principal Secretary and the Indian High Commissioner agreed to work together to implement the MoUs and other documents signed during the Bangladesh PM’s visit to India.During the farewell meeting with the EU outgoing ambassador, the European Union diplomat thanked the Bangladesh Government and the Principal Secretary for their full cooperation during his tenure in Bangladesh.The ambassador assured that the European Union would work closely with the Bangladesh government on food security, nutrition, climate change and other issues.

Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Thijs Woudstra has called for joint efforts to fight against rumours, misinformation, and disinformation. He was speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in Brahmanbaria district as the chief guest on Thursday. South Asia Centre for Media in Development (SACMID) organized the meeting titled "Raising Community Awareness to Prevent Rumour, Mis and Dis-information on Social Media Platforms." A total of 54 participants, including journalists, government and NGO officials, teachers, students, influencers, social, religion, and opinion leaders- activists from Brahmanbaria district took part in the meeting held at the conference room of Brahmanbaria Press Club. Among others, Syed Kamrul Hasan, Program Manager of the project and the Deputy Director of SACMID, Namia Akhter, Senior Policy Adviser of the Embassy and Sheikh Adnan Fahad, Associate Professor of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies of Jahangirnagar University, Baharul Islam Molla, general secretary of Brahmanbaria Press Club and others were present. During the meeting, the participants shared their thoughts, learnings, and experiences following the implementation of the project in the area. They highlighted the issues caused by the spread of rumours in Brahmanbaria and discussed how their participation in the project activities has led to greater awareness and understanding of combating misinformation and disinformation. Expressing gratitude, they also voiced their expectations for expanding such programs to remote areas to achieve a more significant impact. The project, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by SACMID, aims to empower communities with the knowledge and tools needed to identify and prevent the spread of false information on social media platforms. This initiative is a crucial step towards building a more informed and resilient society by increasing media literacy and access to information, ensuring the right to information regarding SDG goals both directly and passively.

China has announced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official visit to China from July 8-10. "At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh will pay an official visit to China from July 8 to 10," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday. In Dhaka, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said the visit will "outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation" in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on regional and international affairs. During this visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will meet with Chinese leaders, sign a number of cooperation documents, and jointly announce major cooperation achievements, he said while talking to diplomatic correspondents at DCAB Talk. PM’s China visit very important to expedite development: Hasan Mahmud Through this visit, the two sides will achieve new breakthroughs in pragmatic cooperation, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries, said the Ambassador who temed the forthcoming visit a milestone in bilateral relations. Mao Ning said this will be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first visit to China since her new term began and five years after her last visit to China. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcoming ceremony and have talks with her. The two prime ministers will attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents. "Leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on how to deepen traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation and on regional and international issues of mutual interest," said the Spokesperson. Prime Minister Hasina will also attend the Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between China and Bangladesh, she said. Beijing said Bangladesh and China are good neighbours, good friends and good partners. PM Hasina's forthcoming China visit will be a game-changer in Dhaka-Beijing ties: Ambassador Yao Wen "We have similar visions for development and well-aligned development strategies. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and jointly advanced modernization," said the Spokesperson. She said they have set a good example of friendship and cooperation between developing countries. In recent years, with the strategic guidance and commitment of leaders of our two countries, the two sides have deepened Bangladesh-China strategic cooperative partnership, and had fruitful and practical cooperation in various fields. "China stands ready to work with Bangladesh through this visit to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, further synergize development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and elevate our bilateral relations to a new level," said the Spokesperson. Read more: Bangladesh to seek $7 billion fund from China to boost trade in business summit during PM's visit

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has emphasized the strong and cooperative relationship between Bangladesh and China, describing them as “good neighbours, good friends, and good partners” with well-aligned development strategies. Mao Ning made these remarks during a regular press briefing in response to a question from a reporter from Hubei Media Group about the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She highlighted the longstanding diplomatic ties between the two nations, which have been marked by respect, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation. “We have set a good example of friendship and cooperation between developing countries,” she said. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago, both countries have supported each other on core issues and worked together to advance modernization. Bangladesh holds the right to decide on Teesta project; China to accept any decision: Ambassador Yao In recent years, under the strategic guidance of their leaders, China and Bangladesh have deepened their strategic cooperative partnership, achieving fruitful cooperation in various fields. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that the Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s upcoming visit aims to further these efforts, saying that China stands ready to work with Bangladesh through this visit to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, further synergize development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and elevate the bilateral relations to a new level. The upcoming visit marks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first visit to China since her new term began and comes five years after her last visit. During the visit, she will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, who will hold a welcoming ceremony and talks. The two prime ministers will also attend a signing ceremony for cooperation documents, discussing ways to deepen traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and address regional and international issues of mutual interest. PM Hasina’s upcoming visit to boost China-Bangladesh cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues, says Ambassador Prime Minister Hasina will also participate in a summit on trade, business, and investment opportunities between China and Bangladesh, further highlighting the economic cooperation between the two countries.

In support of the government-led response to Cyclone Remal, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been engaging with affected communities through its cash-for-work programme to bolster their recovery and rebuilding efforts. Since June 25, nearly 6,000 households have participated in cash-for-work schemes led by WFP's Khulna field office, said the WFP on Thursday. These activities focus on repairing and rebuilding critical infrastructure such as embankments, roads, and access routes that were badly damaged by the cyclone, utilising nature-based solutions whenever possible. Each family receives Tk 5,000 (USD 43) for 10 days of work. "Cyclone Remal has devastated millions of lives. Swift, coordinated efforts are essential to help affected communities recover and rebuild," said Simone Parchment, WFP Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge. WFP has been working hand in hand with the Government, providing timely responses such as food, cash, and cash-for-work where the needs are highest, Simone Parchment. “These interventions not only help families meet their immediate needs but also build their long-term resilience to better withstand future climate shocks.” To sustain its response, WFP faces a funding gap of US$10.5 million out of a total requirement of US$16.6 million. Some 41,500 households in affected areas will be assisted through cash-for-work, coupled with health, nutrition, and hygiene awareness messages. This response is being implemented in partnership with local NGOs Shushilan, Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS), and Jago Nari, with close supervision by WFP engineers. The participating households are among the most vulnerable, including those in crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity (as identified by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification), households below the lower poverty line, day labourers without stable income, and other vulnerable groups. Before the cyclone’s landfall, WFP provided anticipatory action cash assistance of BDT 5,000 (USD 43) per household to 30,000 families. Since the cyclone’s passing, WFP has distributed fortified biscuits to over 42,000 families and cash assistance of Tk 5,000 (USD 43) per household to 45,000 households, enabling them to meet their essential food and nutrition needs. Cyclone Remal, which struck on May 26, is the most devastating storm to hit Bangladesh in over a decade. Nearly 5 million people across 19 districts in southern Khulna and Barishal divisions, as well as Dhaka division, were affected. The cyclone brought widespread flooding and waterlogging, causing significant damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

FAO Representative in Bangladesh Jiaoqun Shi on Thursday said FAO Bangladesh has taken many steps to promote jackfruit since the launch of One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative last year, including the formation of OCOP national taskforce. “We will continue our efforts in promoting jackfruit, the special product of Bangladesh. We also focus on improving jackfruit farmers’ livelihoods and their economic growth while minimizing the use of resources, reducing jackfruit loss and waste and lessening the negative impacts on the environment,” Shi said. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a webinar and a fair to showcase and promote processing and marketing of jackfruit in Bangladesh. Executive Secretary of the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Secretariat Jingyuan Xia and Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Chairperson of OCOP national taskforce Wahida Akter participated in the webinar. The webinar was followed by a fair, open to the public, between 4-6 July at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) premises to promote entrepreneurship in the jackfruit market for both fresh and processed products. Jackfruit is the Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) selected for FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. The comprehensive webinar included various topics including implementation of the OCOP in Asia and the Pacific region, OCOP implementation in Bangladesh, overview of jackfruit research and value chain, development of micro and small-scale entrepreneurship in jackfruit value chains, private sector engagement in jackfruit value chain development in Bangladesh. Wahida Akter said Jackfruit is our national fruit and this is one of the most important and widely grown fruits in the country. “The fruit significantly contributes to the nutrition of the people of Bangladesh as a source of vitamins, minerals and calories. Jackfruit has enormous potential for processing and value addition with the increasing demand both in the domestic and international markets”. The webinar showcased experiences and lessons learned about jackfruit: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has developed six jackfruit varieties among which BARI Kathal 3 and BARI 6 produces fruits year-round. BARI also developed technologies for various processed products of jackfruit such as fresh cut, chips, pickle, jam, jelly etc. The project trained more than 300 jackfruit farmers and market actors on better production, post-harvest handling and management, processing and value addition of jackfruit. Agronomists, practitioners, researchers and technical experts, private sector representatives, small and medium entrepreneurs involved in jackfruit industry participated in the webinar as well as national government officials. OCOP Webinar aims to raise awareness of the OCOP initiative and promoting relevant technologies for the sustainable development of SAPs through their respective value chains; showcase the case study and lessons learned of jackfruit in Bangladesh and promote entrepreneurship in jackfruit market for both fresh and processed products through jackfruit fair. This event serves as a forum to share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned in the sustainable production, processing and marketing of jackfruit in Bangladesh and inform different countries that are interested in implementing and promoting coffee or other SAPs through the OCOP initiative. FAO launched the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in September 2021 to contribute to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and promote inclusive, profitable, and environmentally friendly agrifood systems through the sustainable development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). In addition, the OCOP will help countries leverage their unique potential and identify products that are adapted to their specific production systems. Since 2021, over 80 Members from the five FAO regions have expressed their strong interest in the sustainable promotion of over 50 products. In the case of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the chosen SAP was jackfruit.

Bengaliness Research Initiative (BRI) and International Crimes Strategy Forum (ICSF) in a joint statement have called upon Sir Kei Starmer and Jonathan Ashworth to retract their statements in full and issue a sincere and unreserved public apology. “We are outraged and appalled by the recent comments made by Sir Keir Starmer and Jonathan Ashworth of the Labour Party, which have unjustly targeted the Bengali community in the UK,” said the joint statement. Their prejudiced comments singled out a community that has made significant contributions to British society and its economy, including its public services, not to mention that modern Britain was built largely with the wealth syphoned off from the region historically known as the Bengal, the organizations said. During World War II, one of Britain’s finest hours in its struggle against fascism, millions of military recruits from Bengal fought side by side with the British army in addition to contributing to the war efforts with immense resources and supplies from Bengal imperilling her people including suffering a great famine in which millions perished. “Therefore, eight decades after the defeat of fascism, hearing such fascist dog-whistling from current British leadership is particularly troubling. Starmer and Ashworth’s comments demonstrate both ingratitude and ignorance of their history,” said the two organizations. The Bengali community has endured unimaginable atrocities throughout history, particularly under British colonial rule. The Bengal Famine of 1770, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 10 million people, and the Bengal Famine of 1943, which claimed the lives of over three million, were catastrophic events directly linked to colonial British policies. The Bengali community also has a history of fleeing their homeland to escape atrocities, such as during the 1971 Liberation War, when millions faced displacement as a result of genocide perpetrated by Pakistan. Even in modern Britain, the Bengali community has been subjected to racial prejudice and violence (e.g. the Murder of Altab Ali etc), the organizations said. These tragedies are stark reminders of the historical struggles of the Bengalis through the ages that left deep impressions in their collective psyche and memory. “It is our grave concern that such callous singling out by Starmer and Ashworth may lead to further discrimination and violence towards an already marginalised community and inflict dehumanisation in consequence, if not checked and corrected. Two top leaders of the same political party repeating the same racial stereotyping against the same ethnic group, and both dodging any clear and sincere reversion from their statements may be indicative of ‘Bengaliphobia’ harboured by sections of the party’s current leadership,” said the statement. If not that, to the least, it is a coincidental political blunder of the worst possible kind. To minimise this blunder and express genuine intent, Labour must immediately initiate actions to apologise for Britain’s colonial past and start a dialogue on ways of paying reparations, it said. Instead, the unapologetic “concerns” expressed by Sir Keir Starmer, appearing on a community TV channel and quoting clichés about “deep-rooted relations between Labour and Bangladesh,” are echoed as nothing but insincere lip service. The Bengali community has made significant contributions to British society, and their rights and dignity must be upheld, the organizations said. “As the survivors of centuries-long oppression, widespread dehumanisation and multiple genocides, we stand in solidarity with not just the Bengali community in Britain, but any marginalised community facing racial stereotypes anywhere, and continue to advocate for justice and equality.” BRI is a voluntary educational initiative working to facilitate education, necessary training and relevant hands-on experiences for volunteers interested in research works focused on Bengal, Bengali and Bengaliness. International Crimes Strategy Forum (ICSF) is an independent global network of experts, justice advocates and organisations committed to ending impunity for international crimes, ensuring justice for the victims of these crimes, and upholding the rule of law and human rights.