United News of Bangladesh

With the start of the current designated monsoon period with effect from May 1, India has started transmitting flood related data of identified stations on trans-boundary rivers flowing towards Bangladesh, through the existing mechanism under Joint Rivers Commission. Under the aegis of Bangladesh-India Joint Rivers Commission framework, India has been sharing this flood related data such as Water Level, Forecast Level, Discharge and Rainfall of identified Indian stations on trans-boundary rivers such as, Brahmaputra, Barak, Manu, Gumti, Teesta, Jaldhaka, Torsa, Mahananda and Ganga for the purpose of flood forecasting and warning in Bangladesh territory.  This has quite effectively assisted Bangladesh in the stated purpose, according to a note on flood data transmission to Bangladesh, according to a message received here. The arrangement of flood data transmission has been periodically reviewed and revised in the past as per the request of Bangladesh and presently, the data of the identified Indian stations is being transmitted to Bangladesh on a continuous basis during the designated flood period. Earlier, the designated period of flood data transmission was from 1st May to 15th October, which was extended upto 31st October in the year 2022 to accommodate the flood situations arising out of delayed retreating monsoon. Last year, a WhatsApp group of concerned officers of Bangladesh and India, engaged in the flood forecasting and warning activities, was also set up for seamless and timely data transmission, and this messaging group has also been re-activated on May 1, 2024.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains dedicated to strengthening their robust trade, investment, aviation, climate, defence, security, and migration cooperation with the UK and taking it to the next level in her current term. Hasan thanked UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for emphasizing his commitment to enhancing the economic and security partnership between Bangladesh and the UK in his congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Hasina after the national election on January 7 this year. The foreign minister also called upon the UK government to collaborate with Bangladesh to establish a "peaceful and conflict-free" world and to put an end to the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, according to a message received from London. FM for healthier food habits, consumption of locally produced agricultural products During his speech as the guest of honour at a high-profile diplomatic reception hosted by Bangladesh High Commission, London to celebrate the 54th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh, the foreign minister emphasised the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in conflict zones worldwide, including Gaza and Ukraine. He stressed that stopping the killing of innocent people is crucial to restoring normalcy and establishing peace. Speaker of the UK’s Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP was the chief guest at the event where Leader of the House of Commons Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, UK FCDO Minister for Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations Lord Tariq Ahmad, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed MP, and Chairman of All-party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh Rushanara Ali MP spoke as special guests. FM highlights govt efforts to ensure gender equality, women’s empowerment International Affairs Adviser to tPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina Dr Gawher Rizvi, former Foreign Minister and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen, MP and State Minister for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury MP attended the reception held on May 1. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem delivered welcome remarks at the reception held at the historic Churchill Room of Queen Elizabeth II sited in a magnificent setting centring the British Parliament. In his speech, FM Hasan paid profound homage to Bangladesh's Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the 3 million martyrs, and the valiant freedom fighters of the 1971 War of Liberation. He expressed his gratitude to the UK government, its citizens, and the British-Bangladeshi diaspora for their support during Bangladesh's War of Liberation, and pledged to elevate Bangladesh-UK historical relations to new heights under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He paid tribute to British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, who warmly welcomed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib as the President of independent Bangladesh at No 10 Downing Street on 8 January 1972. The minister also paid tribute to the then opposition Leader and two-time British Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson, who welcomed Bangabandhu in London and later mourned his brutal assassination on 15 August 1975. “Bangabandhu’s shared values of democracy, secularism and progressive aspirations with these stalwart British leaders and his special love and affection for his British Bangladeshi compatriots set the foundation of today’s Bangladesh-UK friendship”, he said. The minister termed the UK as a true friend of Bangladesh and hoped that Bangladesh-UK friendship would continue to thrive, as they are an important partner in ensuring peace, prosperity, and security in the Bay of Bengal and a free, open, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region. He also emphasized the importance of the UK's support in the early repatriation of 1.2 million Rohingyas back to their ancestral home in Myanmar. In his speech, he highlighted the sustained economic growth of Bangladesh over the past one and a half decades under the globally acclaimed dynamic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who has leapfrogged Bangladesh from 41st to the world’s 34th largest economy- just over the past decade. Today, the world has its eyes on Bangladesh, which is set to become the 9th largest consumer market by 2030, and a tech-based ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041. The minister commended the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK for launching the 'Bangabandhu-Edward Heath Friendship Award' and the 'Bangabandhu-Harold Wilson Friendship Award.' Speaker of the UK's Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP in his speech paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled the contribution of the British-Bangladeshis to the War of Liberation in 1971. He reaffirmed that the UK would remain a steadfast partner of Bangladesh efforts towards a developed country. Penny Mordaunt MP commended Bangladesh's recent progress and assured that the UK would collaborate with Bangladesh to build a better and prosperous future. He also praised the significant role of the British-Bangladeshi diaspora for their contribution to the UK’s economy and society. Lord Tariq Ahmad lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for upholding the values and spirit of Bangabandhu in creating a self-sustaining, inclusive, and secular Bangladesh, which is now one of the world's most rapidly growing economies. He said that Sheikh Hasina is a leader who showed the world the magnanimity of humanity by hosting over a million of Rohingya displaced from the country Myanmar. Lord Tariq also praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her efforts in upholding the values and ideals of Bangabandhu, which has resulted in a self-sustaining, inclusive, and secular Bangladesh. He also highlighted Bangladesh's rapid economic growth, which has made it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Lord Ahmad further acknowledged Sheikh Hasina's compassionate leadership in providing refuge to over a million Rohingya people who were displaced from Myanmar. Paying deep homage to the Father of the Nation and 1971 martyrs, High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem said: “Bangabandhu founded Bangladesh on democratic, secular, and progressive values. Now, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina relentlessly strides to realise Bangabandhu's vision of a prosperous Bangladesh, the UK remains a crucial partner in achieving this goal”. The high commissioner thanked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following January election, and also recalled the bilateral meeting of the two Premiers where they agreed to take Bangladesh-UK relations to new heights towards a sustainable, greener and more prosperous future. She also thanked the UK Government for its continued support to the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, and urged the UK to take stronger diplomatic leadership for the return of the Rohingyas to their ancestral home in Myanmar. In her speech, the envoy thanking the Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron for his congratulatory message to Bangladesh Foreign Minister, also highlighted the significant collaborations between Bangladesh and the UK in various fields including in trade, investment, climate, aviation, and defence, and said that the first-ever home office dialogue between the two countries would be held later this month. The Foreign Minister along with the UK’s Speaker, High Commissioner and distinguished guests unveiled the exclusive “Mujib and Britain’ publication by Bangladesh High Commission, London and handed over the Bangabandhu-Edward Heath Friendship Award’ and the ‘Bangabandhu-Harold Wilson Award’ to two great friends of Bangladesh Lord Marland and Lord Swaraj Paul respectively to honour their extraordinary contributions in promoting Bangladesh-UK Friendship. The event's highlights included an Exhibition on Bangabandhu, a colourful cultural performance by British-Bangladeshi prominent performers; and a traditional Bangladeshi Saree exhibition. It was attended by the vibrant presence of a distinguished selection of guests including UK parliament members, UK government officials, eminent British Politicians, high commissioners and ambassadors, senior representatives from Commonwealth and International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and representatives from the diplomatic missions in London, think tanks, members of the media, academia as well as members of the Bangladesh community in the UK.  

Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Thursday sought policy based lending (PBL) supports from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for undertaking trade policy, logistics, climate and LDC graduation reforms. During a bilateral meeting with President of the ADB and the Chairperson of ADB's Board of Directors Masatsugu Asakawa, Minister Ali also requested ADB to increase concessional climate finance and facilitate cross-border energy trade. In the meeting held on the sidelines of the 57th annual meeting of the Manila-based ADB,  he also requested the ADB to assist Bangladesh in its initiatives for tax sector reform, undertaking projects for river restoration and developing some of the thrust sectors of its economy such as, jute, leather and tourism towards Bangladesh’s drive for diversifying economy. In response, the ADB President praised Bangladesh government’s strong climate and development agenda, and assured ADB’s continuous support, both in sovereign and non-sovereign resources, in Bangladesh’s prioritised sectors. Finance Minister Ali is currently leading a seven-member Bangladesh delegation to the 57th annual meeting of ADB at Tbilisi in the capitol of Georgia. On his first day of engagement into the ADB Meeting, the minister attended a high-level panel titled “Harvesting  hope; ensuring a food secure, climate resilient Asia and the Pacific” alongside a distinguished panel of speakers. In his remarks, Ali highlighted how Bangladesh despite a land scarce country emerged globally as the  third largest producer of rice and vegetables by increasing food production, supporting agriculture and expanding social safety programmes under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s inclusive development policies.

Embassy of Japan and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will jointly organize “Shodo Workshop - The Art of Japanese Calligraphy’’ at National Art Gallery No.3 of Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on May 18, 2024. Bangladesh reaffirms commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use The calligraphy workshop will be conducted by Japanese calligraphy artist Satoko Azuma. She will give a lecture on the philosophy of Japanese calligraphy and demonstrate calligraphy with a giant brush. Then, special guests will try out calligraphy and other participants will have the opportunity to experience Japanese calligraphy with the instruction of Azuma. The produced works will be displayed on the wall of the gallery and the calligraphy exhibition will remain open till May 25 at the same venue.

The capital city of Georgia on Wednesday warmly welcomed delegates coming from various parts of the world to attend the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 57th Annual Meeting. The meeting opens tomorrow (Thursday) and will examine key development issues facing Asia and the Pacific including climate change, artificial intelligence, and green globalization. Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, who is scheduled to arrive in Tbilisi tonight (Wednesday), will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the meeting, said an official. In a curtain raiser to the 2024 Annual Meeting, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso and Georgia Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili shared their insights on what it will take to build a sustainable, inclusive future. One Health: USAID to provide $26 mn to improve infectious disease prevention, control in Bangladesh Moderated by international journalist Nisha Pillai, the panel discussion focused on the economic landscape, regional cooperation, and how multilateral development banks and countries can collaborate more effectively despite the uncertainties and risks posed by climate change, deglobalization, and geopolitical tensions. The economies of so-called developing Asia are estimated to have grown at 5.0% last year, 2023, up from 4.3% in the previous year, 2022, Asakawa said. And this growth momentum is expected to be sustained at around 4.9% this year and next year. On the other hand, inflation has been contained well, he mentioned. The inflation rate dropped from 4.4% in 2022 to 3.3% in 2023, said the ADB President. "This robust growth comes from a couple of factors: First, relatively strong domestic demand. Second, a recovery of export performance thanks to the favorable semiconductor cycle. Third, very strong remittance inflow to the region. Fourth, a recovery of tourism as more and more tourists are coming back. And fifth, recovery of the Chinese economy," he said. And talking of the Chinese economy a bit, the ADB President said, China only grew by 3.0% in 2022, but it rebounded to 5.2% growth in 2023, after they exited from a very strict zero-Covid policy. So looking ahead, he said, the Asia and Pacific economy appears to be very resilient, although they are facing a tremendous amount of uncertainties and challenges.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on governments, the private sector and civil society to join them in reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world. "A free press is not a choice, but a necessity. Our World Press Freedom Day is very important," he said in a message marking World Press Freedom Day that falls on May 3. PM Hasina blasts US for police action against students protesting Israeli genocide in Palestine Without facts, the UN chief said, they cannot fight mis- and disinformation. "Without accountability, we will not have strong policies in place. Without press freedom, we won't have any freedom," he said. The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to this and future generations, Guterres observed. People need to know about this – and journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them. Local, national and global media outlets can highlight stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice. "Through their work, people come to understand the plight of our planet, and are mobilized and empowered to take action for change," said the UN chief. He said media workers also document environmental degradation and they provide evidence of environmental vandalism that helps to hold those responsible to account. "It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs.Media freedom is under siege," Guterres said. And environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession, he said. Dozens of journalists covering illegal mining, logging, poaching and otherenvironmental issues have been killed in recent decades. In the vast majority of cases, no one has been held to account. UNESCO reports that in the past fifteen years, there have been some 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues. And the frequency of such attacks is rising. China’s Anhui Provincial People’s Congress delegation sees vast potential for further collaboration with Bangladesh Legal processes are also misused to censor, silence, detain and harassenvironmental reporters, while a new era of climate disinformation focuses on undermining proven solutions, including renewable energy. "But environmental journalists are not the only ones at risk. Around the world, media workers are risking their lives trying to bring us news on everything from war to democracy," said the UN Secretary General. He said he is shocked and appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza. The United Nations recognizes the invaluable work of journalists and media professionals to ensure that the public is informed and engaged.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday came down heavily on America for its action against university students and teachers for protesting Israeli  genocide in Palestine. “The students and teachers did not carry anything like torches  or sticks in their hands. But the way police behaved with them raises the question about how much human rights are there,” she said. She was making introductory speech in the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting  at her official residence Ganabhaban.  Hasina said that some days ago there were protests by the university students and teachers in America. She mentioned that they were protesting the genocide by Israel. “There while protesting one woman professor was severely physically assaulted by police. It brings the question abou how much freedom of speech they enjoy (in America), that is the question. Our question is how much rights they have to protest against any injustice,” she said. She said that the US writes human rights report on Bangladesh, but does not see their own faces in the mirror. “That is the reality,” she said. She questioned If any police were attacked by any political party in the,US like the BNP did here in the recent past, what would they do.  Hasina denounced the recent killings of some Bangladeshis in the US, including  two men brutally killed several days ago. “I am  protesting these killings. They went there for their livelihoods, but why they should be killed like this. Even two infants could not escape from their hands,” she said. The prime minister said how will those who always sing the songs for human rights respond to these murders. “How will they answer? I am demanding an answer. I am demanding the answers from the human rights organisations, justice department and those who impose sanctions on us,” she said. Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to stop genocide in Palestine. “Actually genocide is going on in Palestine by the Israeli forces. We are continuously protesting that. Whenever I go I am registering my protest against the genocide by the Israeli forces and asking all world leaders to stop the war. The whole world is against the genocide against the Palestinians,” she said.

Vice Chairman of the Anhui Provincial People’s Congress Wei Xiaoming has praised the ongoing efforts and coordination between the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, which have played pivotal roles in strengthening their bilateral trade relationships.  He noted that trade between Anhui province and Bangladesh had reached USD 319 million in 2023, and emphasized the vast potential for further collaboration. An official delegation from the Anhui Provincial People’s Congress of China has recently paid a visit to Energy Centre the corporate office of Energypac Power Generation PLC in the capital’s Tejgaon area.  The delegation led by Wei Xiaoming highlighted potential trade and investment opportunities, focusing on advancing Bangladesh-China cooperation in various sectors, including electric vehicles (EV) and renewable energy.  The Chinese team also visited Bangladesh Parliament, BCCCI and DNCC. The meeting served as a platform for Energypac to express its commitment to adopting advanced technologies in the manufacturing sectors, said a media release on Tuesday.  They shared insights into Energypac's current projects as the only sole partner of major Chinese companies like JAC and Heli, focusing on the assembly and manufacture of special purpose vehicles and electric vehicles (EV). Managing Director & CEO of Energypac Humayun Rashid said, “We are the only partner of JAC and Heli in Bangladesh. We have been working with them for almost two decade and are constantly bringing in their new innovative technologies in our market. We are working with more new technologies to be introduced in future. We will be introducing eco-friendly sustainable electric trucks and buses in the market.” The meeting was a part of the delegation’s visit to Bangladesh for discussing trade and investment potentials in the country.  During the visit, discussions centered on expanding investment by Anhui province in Bangladesh, notably in manufacturing sectors such as electric cars, commercial vehicles and agricultural technologies The Anhui delegation’s visit to Energypac underscores the growing interest of Chinese investors in the country’s growing sectors.  Both parties expressed optimism about the future of their collaborative ventures, which are expected to bring substantial economic benefits to both the countries.    

The U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching its new "One Health" project to improve infectious disease prevention and control in Bangladesh. Working with the U.S. Congress, USAID will provide up to $26 million over five years and work closely with relevant ministries in Bangladesh to coordinate prevention, detection, and response to infectious diseases among humans and animals, and mitigate other pandemic threats more effectively. The relevant ministries are Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Fisheries and Livestock and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Bangladesh to protect people from infectious diseases like avian flu or other animal-borne illnesses, and ultimately improve human, animal, and environmental health as a whole,” said USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Bangladesh was named as one of 50 partner countries under the U.S. government’s new Global Health Security Strategy 2024. The USAID One Health Project will develop the One Health workforce at national and local levels to improve disease detection and surveillance, and strengthen laboratory systems to improve diagnostic capacity. The project will also support local institutions to mitigate the effects of resistance to antibiotics among humans and animals, and establish early warning systems that enable multiple government ministries to track outbreaks and work together more efficiently for a coordinated response. The USAID One Health Project is implemented by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) in partnership with a consortium from the Center for Natural Resource Studies, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, and mPower SocialEnterprises.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear science, particularly in energy, food safety and medicine, and health sectors. He shared this commitment during his meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna on Monday evening (Vienna time). Foreign Minister Hasan also reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and to the safety and security of nuclear materials.  He recalled that Bangladesh became a member of the IAEA in 1972 which was one of the earliest memberships of Bangladesh in any international organisation. The Foreign Minister thanked IAEA for providing necessary support and cooperation for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.  Bangladesh, Austria agree to conclude MoU on migration, mobility He assured the Director General that Bangladesh will maintain the highest level of transparency, safety, and security of its nuclear power plants. Referring to the national energy vision, he mentioned that Bangladesh has contemplated a fair share of nuclear energy in her future energy mix since it is a green and clean source of energy. Mentioning the unmatched success of Bangladesh in becoming self-sufficient in staple food production as well as successes in pharmaceuticals and health services sectors, Hasan thanked IAEA for its technical support to Bangladesh in nuclear agriculture, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy fields. The Foreign Minister appreciated the Director General’s initiatives like Atoms4Food and Atoms4NetZero, and assured him continued support from Bangladesh for these noble initiatives. The Director General reaffirmed the agency’s sustained support to Bangladesh on human-centric development issues leveraging nuclear science and applications.  He expressed particular interest in working together with Bangladesh under the ‘Atom for Food’ initiative. The Director General of IAEA congratulated Bangladesh for setting up nuclear power plants, which has added an altogether different dimension to Bangladesh’s engagement with IAEA.  Microfinance an important part of Bangladesh’s development journey: IFC He assured of IAEA’s continued support for training and capacity building on nuclear safety and safeguard issues.  The Foreign Minister invited the Director General to visit Bangladesh during the commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.