United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Hasan mahmud on Wednesday reiterated Bangladesh’s interest in working together with relevant international partners, including UNICEF, in advancing child rights and protection in the country. The UNICEF Country Representative Sheldon Yett met Foreign Minister Hasan at the latter’s office and thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for extending support for discharging his duties during the last nearly three years. Tens of thousands of children in Afghanistan are affected by ongoing flash floods, UNICEF says Hasan felicitated the UNICEF Representative for his services and assured of continued support to his successor. He recognised UNICEF’s support to Bangladesh towards achieving the child and maternal health related SDG targets. Hasan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030, with focus on both healthcare and nutrition. UNICEF 'appalled' at Rohingya teacher's killing The UNICEF Representative briefed the Foreign Minister about the agency’s work in support of the UN’s Joint Rohingya Response Plan. He also thanked Minister Hasan for his invitation to the UNICEF Executive Director to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time this year.  

Denmark continues to support Bangladesh in addressing the growing need of clean water for the increasing population of Dhaka, providing finances EUR 300 million in water infrastructure in Bangladesh – one of the largest in the world. Dhaka WASA is in charge of implementation of the expansion of surface water treatment facilities at Saidabad Water Treatment Plant through Phase III of the project. Through the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Project (SWTPP), Denmark is financing the design and construction of the plant. The Danish government is providing the loan to the Government of Bangladesh through Danida Sustainable Infrastructure Finance (DSIF). The maximum financing amount is Danish Kroner 2239 million (Euro 300 million, approximately), being the largest water infrastructure financing project for DSIF. Rampant use of groundwater is leading to depletion, so the government of Bangladesh has shifted to using surface water sources. As a result, the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant was developed. Phase I and II of the project are sourcing water from the Shitalakhkha river, but Phase III will source raw water from Meghna. This treatment plant is set to be one of the biggest water infrastructure projects in the world, both in terms of water intake as well as the treatment capacity. It will have an additional capacity of treating 450,000-meter cube water per day. Additionally, there will be a sludge treatment plant designed to serve the full capacity of the entire plant, including all phases. Once Phase III is completed and in operation, an additional 3 million city dwellers will be served with treated surface water instead of ground water, said the Danish Embassy in Dhaka. This project directly contributes to SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 6 (Clean water to all), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 11 (sustainable cities) and SDG 13 (climate action).

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (June 05, 2024) congratulated the winning alliance led by BJP and the people of India for exercising their democratic rights in the just-held election in India. The Foreign Minister also congratulated the Congress-led alliance INDIA. “We congratulate NDA, INDIA and the people of India for continuing the democratic trend. It’s an inspiration and example of democracy,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. The BJP emerged victorious on 240 out of 543 seats, while the Congress secured 99 seats. Despite the Lok Sabha having 543 members, counting was conducted for 542 seats following the uncontested election of BJP's Surat candidate, Mukesh Dalal. Hasan said a new government will soon be formed in India and hoped that the relations between Bangladesh and India will reach to a new height with deeper cooperation and expansion of people-to-people ties. Read more: PM Hasina to visit New Delhi June 21-22 and China July 9-12 “This is the choice of the Indian people. The same alliance will be in power. Our ties will continue. Our relationship with India is based on the spirit of 1971 Liberation War and bonded through shared sacrifice and blood,” said the Foreign Minister. He said opposition parties in India play a responsible role which is not seen in Bangladesh. Responding to a question on the water-sharing issue, Hasan said the government of Bangladesh deals with the central government of India and they will continue discussion on fair share of water of common rivers. “We have excellent relations with India. This special relationship cannot be compared to anyone else,” Hasan said. Read more: Dhaka's interest to join BRICS: Beijing assures its support to Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to pay an official visit to the United Kingdom in October first week after attending the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York. The prime minister is likely to visit the United States from September 20 to October 4 to attend the UNGA while will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom from October 4-8, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. Vietnam's PM to visit India this year-end He said these are tentative dates for the two important visits and preparations will be taken accordingly. The 79th session of the UN General Assembly will open on September 10. The first day of the high-level general debate will be on September 24. Brazil keen to strengthen ties with Bangladesh; PM Hasina likely to pay bilateral visit in July Recently, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said Bangladesh-UK relations have transformed from development assistance-driven to a more strategic and economic partnership. In September last year, the Prime Minister visited the UK mainly to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and a reception hosted by King Charles llI. The prime minister is scheduled to visit India and China in June and July respectively while she may also pay official visits to Brazil and France this year, said a diplomatic source. PM to visit Rome later this month to attend UN Food Systems Summit; bilateral deals on energy, migration likely

A discussion meeting and doa mahfil were held in memory of the martyred president of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and his traveling companions who were killed with him last month at Rajshahi this afternoon. Bangladesh representative of Al Mustafa International University of Iran Huzzatul Islam Wal Muslimin Shahabuddin Mashaekhi Raad was present as the chief guest at the event organized at Shah Dain Community Center located on the west of Nagar Bhaban in Rajshahi. Speakers at the event said that the martyrdom of President Raisi and his entourage in a helicopter crash has caused an irreparable loss to the Iranian nation and the Muslim Ummah. That loss is not recoverable. They also said Ebrahim Raisi not only worked for the Iranian nation, he worked for the entire Muslim Ummah and worked for oppressed people all over the world including Palestine. Because of this, people around the world wept for his martyrdom. The speakers said that when the president of a country dies, official mourning is usually observed in that country, but different countries and nations of the world mourned the martyrdom of the president of Iran. Bangladesh was no exception. On the occasion of the martyrdom of Iran's President Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and his travel companions, a state mourning was observed in Bangladesh on May 23. As part of mourning, the national flag is flown at half-mast in all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions and educational institutions and all government and private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad on that day. Special prayers are offered in all mosques for the martyrs and special prayers are organized in other religious institutions. Iranian President Raisi and his entourage were martyred when their helicopter crashed on their way back to the northeastern city of Tabriz after inaugurating a dam project on the border with Azerbaijan recently. Foreign Minister Abdullahiyan is also among them.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim hosted a special breakfast event entitled “A Morning in Dhaka, a Malaysian Experience” at a hotel in Baridhara. The event brought together High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to Bangladesh to celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Malaysia, featuring the iconic dishes of Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Teh Tarik. The event aimed at enhancing cultural exchange and foster stronger diplomatic relations while giving the guests an opportunity to experience the flavors of Malaysian cuisine Nasi Lemak, Malaysia’s national dish, and the world’s best bread of Roti Canai as well as Teh Tarik - the beloved pulled tea, were the highlights of the breakfast.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said China is Bangladesh’s most reliable partner and trusted friend on its journey toward modernization. Yao emphasized that China and Bangladesh are at critical stages of development and rejuvenation. “Chinese enterprises have been involved in numerous major and complex infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, introducing many advanced and energy-saving technologies,” said the Ambassador while speaking at a seminar on Monday evening. Bangladesh-China FTA to undoubtedly open new chapter in ties ushering in golden era of economic, trade cooperation: Ambassador Yao Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) co-organized the seminar titled “Fostering Innovation Through Collaborative Research For Smart Bangladesh”. The envoy encouraged CEAB and BUET to further enhance industry-research cooperation and launch more advanced energy-saving technologies, to benefit the people of Bangladesh. Ke Changliang, President, CEAB and Prof Dr Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder, Director, RISE, BUET signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the programme held at the EEC Auditorium of BUET.

Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong has appreciated Bangladesh’s interest to join BRICS for which he assured of China’s active support.  In 2006, Brazil, Russia, India and China created the "BRIC" group. South Africa joined in 2010, making it "BRICS". Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were invited to become members with effect from 1 January 2024. During the 13th round of bilateral political consultations between Bangladesh and China held in Beijing on June 3, both parties agreed to work jointly for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China next month.  Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation while the Chinese side was led by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong.  The Bangladesh delegation comprised of Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Jashim Uddin, Additional Secretary of ERD Anwar Hossain and officials from the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Embassy in China.  Officials from Foreign Ministry of China were present on the other side.  The consultations focused on consolidating bilateral relations, enhancing economic ties, promoting trade and investment and exploring opportunities for cooperation in multilateral platform, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Chinese vice minister underscored the importance of high-level exchanges and people-to-people connectivity.  FTA with China: Bangladesh wants more employment opportunities; investment, says Titu He conveyed China’s willingness to work together to import mango and other agricultural products from Bangladesh and also to assist skill development of the youth. The Chinese side assured to expedite the repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.  Weidong mentioned that the two countries’ embassies in Dhaka and Beijing may work together for the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.  Foreign Secretary Masud mentioned that Bangladesh attaches significant importance to its relations with China based on shared values, mutual respect and common aspirations.  He recalled the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to China during 1952 and 1957 and expected the book “The New China as I saw” to be published in Chinese language before the upcoming VVIP visit. 

The United States has pledged $700 million to the new Pandemic Fund. The Pandemic Fund is a multilateral financing mechanism dedicated to providing multi-year grants for enhancing pandemic preparedness in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization.  The fund assists countries and regions in strengthening their health systems and increasing their investments, enabling them to prevent, prepare, and respond effectively to health threats, WHO said.  The US believes in its mission to provide a dedicated stream of additional, long-term financing to strengthen core capacities in low - and middle-income countries, said the US Department of State on Tuesday. France, UNDP sign €1.2 mln funding deal to strengthen climate resilience in Bangladesh Late last week in Geneva, the US delegation to the World Health Assembly, led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, together with delegates from other WHO-member countries, successfully adopted a number of amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), the most significant updates to the IHR in nearly 20 years.  These amendments will enhance transparency and timeliness of information and make the global health security architecture stronger overall while maintaining full respect for sovereignty of individual states. These amendments will also improve access to critical health products to more equitably prevent, prepare, and respond to pandemic emergencies, regardless of where they arise; and take steps to better identify and close critical gaps in health security capacities, including through the establishment of an Implementation Committee, to stop outbreaks before they threaten Americans and US security. These developments will ensure the United States is better prepared to respond to the next international health emergency, demonstrating that countries can come together and tackle global challenges to improve the lives of people around the world and provide momentum for concluding the Pandemic Agreement, which nations agreed to finalize by May 2025, said the spokesperson at the US Department of State.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to embark on bilateral visits to New Delhi and Beijing in June and July, marking her two important engagements after sweeping the January 7 national election. These visits are aimed at deepening Bangladesh's connections with India and China, Asia's two leading economic powers. Modi speaks with Hasina: India to continue to support Bangladesh’s aspirations, growth The prime minister will pay an official visit to New Delhi on June 21-22 while she will pay her visit to Beijing on July 9-12, a senior Bangladeshi official told UNB, noting that these are dates as of now. Following the formation of the new government, Hasina attended the Munich Security Conference in a multilateral visit to Germany in February, highlighting her active engagement on the global stage. Hasina, Modi agree to resolve outstanding bilateral issues through talks PM Hasina's visit to India is taking place following the conclusion of the neighbouring country’s national election, which is the world's largest democratic exercise, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count set for June 4. PM Hasina's visit to New Delhi will be a milestone in taking the relations to extra heights, a diplomatic source said. PM Hasina likely to travel to India and China in first bilateral visits since forming new govt In January, Prime Minister Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh. The last bilateral engagement between PM Modi and PM Hasina occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country. Modi is also expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation. Additionally, Hasina's forthcoming visit to China in July was underscored during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who reiterated China's commitment to boosting investment in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations. Ambassador Yao emphasised the significance of the visit in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, aligning with Bangladesh's aspirations for "Vision 2041" and the realisation of a "Smart Bangladesh." "It will be another historical one. It will be a game-changer. It will open a new chapter," Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen told reporters while responding to a question at a seminar on Sunday night about Hasina's forthcoming trip. The ambassador made the remarks when a reporter sought to know about a date of PM's Hasina's proposed visit next month. "Let's wait and see," the envoy said. Recently, Yao said Bangladesh and China should deepen their strategic partnership for cooperation and explore new growth points. "China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue exploring cooperation opportunities under the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilisation Initiative," he said. In particular, the ambassador said, they were willing to promote the upgrading of industries and digitalisation process in Bangladesh.