United News of Bangladesh

The United States (US) has said the interim government moved to make all procurements for natural resource extraction fully open and transparent, suspending all previous or ongoing direct negotiations led by the prior government. In its Congressionally-mandated 2025 Fiscal Transparency Report released on September 19, the US came up with a number of steps that Bangladesh could take to improve fiscal transparency. The government specified in law or regulation, and appeared to follow in practice, the criteria and procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licenses and provided limited information on public procurement contracts. Due to the change in government, the report in its Bangladesh chapter said, the government’s supreme audit institution did not review the government’s accounts, but it released some summarized findings made publicly available within a reasonable period. BNP leader alleges global plot behind push for PR system The supreme audit institution did not meet international standards of independence, according to the report received from the US Department of State. Steps Bangladesh could take to improve fiscal transparency include: Making its end-of-year report publicly available within a reasonable period; Preparing budget documents according to internationally accepted principles; Breaking down expenditures to support executive offices in the budget; Providing in the budget a substantially complete picture of the government’s revenues and expenditures; Ensuring the supreme audit institution meets international standards of independence and has sufficient resources to obtain timely and direct access to the entire annual executed budget; Publishing timely audit reports that contain substantive findings, recommendations, and narratives; Making basic information for natural resource extraction awards publicly available; and publishing information on public procurement contracts. During the review period, a non-political interim government replaced the government previously responsible for budget creation. Fair elections must; results should be respected by all: Mounir Satouri The Interim government generally followed the budget recommendations and implementation procedures of the prior government and initiated significant reforms to improve fiscal transparency. The prior government made its executive budget proposal and enacted budget publicly available, including online. It did not make its end-of-year report publicly available within a reasonable period. Information in the budget was considered generally reliable, although budget documents were not prepared according to internationally accepted principles, said the US report. Information on debt obligations was publicly available. Budget documents provided a reasonably complete picture of the government’s planned expenditures and revenue, including natural resource revenues. However, according to the report, the government did not break down expenditures to support executive offices, nor did the budget provide a substantially complete picture of revenues and expenditures. Publicly available budget documents included financial allocations to and earnings from state-owned enterprises. Fiscal transparency is a critical element of effective public financial management, helps build market confidence, underpins global economic stability, and levels the playing field for US firms, said the Spokesperson at the US Department of State.  It fosters greater government accountability by providing a window into government budgets and spending.  Annual reviews of the fiscal transparency also help ensure appropriate use of U.S. taxpayer funds. In this year’s report, Department officials found that 71 of 140 governments and entities assessed met the minimum fiscal transparency requirements.  Sixty-nine did not meet the minimum fiscal transparency requirements.  Of these, however, 26 made significant progress toward meeting the minimum fiscal transparency requirements. Consistent with the requirement in the FY 2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, as continued by the FY25 Continuing Resolution, the 2025 report described the minimum fiscal transparency requirements, reviewed governments, most of which were identified as recipients of US assistance in the 2014 Fiscal Transparency Report, and further assesses those that did not meet the minimum fiscal transparency requirements during the review period of January 1 to December 31, 2024.  The report also indicated whether governments that did not meet those requirements made significant progress to publicly disclose national budget documentation, contracts, and licenses during the review period.  The Department of State evaluated the public availability, substantial completeness, and reliability of budget documents, as well as the transparency of processes for awarding government contracts and licenses and public procurement contracts.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus have extended their sincere greetings and heartfelt felicitations to their counterparts in Nepal and the friendly people of Nepal on the joyous occasion of the National Day (Constitution Day) of Nepal. Prof Yunus said Bangladesh and Nepal will continue to collaborate closely across all areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the two peoples. “Bangladesh and Nepal enjoy a close and enduring friendly relations, shaped by shared values and deep historical, linguistic and socio-cultural ties,” he said, extending his warmest greetings and felicitations to the government and the friendly people of Nepal on the occasion of the National Day (Constitution Day) of Nepal. In a message to Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Prof Yunus said their long-standing cordial relations stand on the strong foundations of mutual respect and deep relationships between our peoples.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Friday inaugurated the first-ever ‘Jamdani Exposition’ at the National Crafts Museum, offering Indian audiences an exclusive glimpse into the intricate artistry of Bangladesh’s most celebrated weave. Conceptualised by Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah, the exposition, according to him, was born from a serendipitous moment. “During our Independence Day anniversary celebrations this year, we displayed a few Jamdanis. The overwhelming response inspired us to take it a step further,” he said. “Through this exhibition, we hope more people discover the timeless beauty of Jamdani.” Curated by renowned Indian craft and textile revivalist Chandrashekhar Bheda, the showcase brings together some of the finest Jamdanis woven by Bangladesh’s master artisans, including two rare 150-year-old pieces. “Jamdani cannot be replicated by machine,” Bheda noted at the inauguration. “Its sheer transparency and delicacy are like weaving magic that floats in the air.” Adding conceptual depth to the exposition, co-curator Chandrashekhar Saha, a pioneering force in Bangladesh’s craft revival and a former design leader at Aarong, underlined the fabric’s lineage: “Once, Bengal’s Muslin reigned supreme. Jamdani stands on that same pedestal–an art you must see and feel to understand. Let us hope its legacy endures.”

In an increasingly unpredictable global economy, investments in the socio-economic transformation of rural areas are fundamental to a more stable and prosperous world. That’s the message that Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will take to the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, challenging the international community to consider these investments in their approach to global security, said IFAD on Friday. “Global stability and security take root when we unlock a path to a brighter future for rural people and deliver quality of life and job opportunities,” said Lario, who leads the only International Financial Institution focusing exclusively on rural development. Rural areas are home to 80 per cent of the world’s poorest people. Investing in rural communities and agrifood systems strengthens food security, expands economic opportunity, and builds resilience to climate change for more than 3 billion people living in rural areas of developing countries. Investments in rural transformation have shown impressive returns. An IFAD investment in Senegal has already enabled 10,000 young women and men choose to return to rural areas as they now earn up to seven times the national minimum wage. Ambitious partnerships and development finance As development aid currently declines, countries seek out sustainable financing sources to continue their development. Development finance provides a viable alternative source. "The present and future of development finance lies in smart and effective partnerships that align public goals with incentives that attract private investors,” said Lario. IFAD is deepening its efforts to bring together public resources and private funds, and rural people, while small-scale food producers in their capacities as entrepreneurs and business owners. Through innovative financing tools that incentivize investment, IFAD has shown how to make rural development both investable and transformative. IFADs’ Private Sector Financing Programme has mobilized US$165 million in co-financing, nearly half from private investors. IFAD will also participate in the discussions to reform the UN, a “healthy exercise to ensure focus, delivery and impact,” according to the Fund. With one of the lowest cost structures among international financial institutions, IFAD has been leading the way to enhance its effectiveness, efficiency, and organizational agility. The latest reform of the Fund has saved US$5.5 million through decentralization and cut project design and disbursement times by nearly half, among others.

High Commissioner of the Maldives to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed has emphasised her country’s growing tourism partnership with Bangladesh, noting Bangladesh as an emerging and important source market for the Maldives in South Asia. She also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in sustainable tourism, hospitality training, and connectivity. Maldives bans  Israelis in show of support for Palestine The High Commissioner attended the inaugural session of the 12th Asian Tourism Fair in Dhaka as a special guest. The Maldives, represented at the Fair by the High Commission together with Visit Maldives, warmly invited Bangladeshi travelers to experience the “Sunny Side of Life.”    

Highlighting the importance of increased funding for the Rohingya population, Chair of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights Mounir Satouri has expressed optimism that the high-level conference, scheduled to take place in New York on September 30, will contribute to finding a political solution. The only long-term solution to the crisis lies in improving the situation in Myanmar and ensuring the safe and voluntary return of the displaced populations, he told UNB in an interview. Satouri, who wrapped up his Bangladesh visit on Thursday night, said that objective remains one supported by the European Union (EU). But the international community as a whole has to ensure that the conditions for such a return are made possible, he said, hoping that the high-level conference that will take place in New York on September 30 will contribute to finding a political solution. Bangladesh hosts over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees who fled to escape persecution following the Myanmar military crackdown against the minority in 2017. The situation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh is dire, with overcrowding, limited resources and ongoing humanitarian challenges. Fair elections must; results should be respected by all: Mounir Satouri Asked about the funding issue, Satouri said the EU has now become the main donor for this crisis and will have to mobilise other donors - probably also donors in the region - to try and offset the decline in funding. Indeed, he said, it is neither possible nor normal that Bangladesh has had to bear the brunt of the withdrawal of US funds. However, in the meantime, these refugees are here in Bangladesh and they have needs, Satouri said, adding that the international community must continue supporting Bangladesh. Asked about their visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, he said it was important to go and visit the camps, and it was also a way of sending a political message - to acknowledge and commend the efforts of the government of Bangladesh. “We, of course, admire and welcome that Bangladesh has hosted over a million refugees on its territory for eight years now, and this effort on behalf of Bangladesh has often been overlooked,” Satouri said. Regarding funding, he said the EU has committed to maintaining its level of funding to Bangladesh for the rising crisis. Prof Yunus urges swift shift to clean, affordable energy for Bangladesh The UN General Assembly will hold the high-level plenary meeting to address the crisis facing Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will attend the meeting on September 30 that aims to sustain international attention, review the situation on the ground, and propose a concrete, time-bound plan for a sustainable resolution—including efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe and dignified return of displaced communities. The Chief Adviser, who is scheduled to reach New York on September 22 to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), has recently placed seven-point proposals, seeking collective efforts for charting a practical roadmap for the speedy, safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homes in Rakhine as soon as possible. "We must not be held hostage to mere rhetoric. The time for action is now," he said while speaking at the ‘Stakeholders Dialogue’ in Cox’s Bazar. Prof Yunus said it is not only the responsibility of Bangladesh but also of the international community to share the burden of the Rohingya crisis, to reflect on the possible solutions and to play an active role in implementing them. He said the Rohingya issue and its sustainable resolution must be kept alive on the global agenda as they need support until they return home.  

Chair of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights Mounir Satouri has said the national election in Bangladesh must take place in a ‘fair and transparent’ manner and its results should be respected by all, stressing that political stability is essential for economic development and improved living conditions in the country. “Of course, the upcoming elections (Feb next) must take place, they must take place in a fair and transparent manner and the results of such an election should be respected by all,” he told UNB in an interview, noting that this is the condition required for stability after elections in Bangladesh. Satouri, who wrapped up his Bangladesh visit on Thursday night, however, said elections are only one of the steps in the process, and it is important that all political stakeholders support the reforms that have garnered consensus and their application. Other members of the delegation were Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, Luxembourg), Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR, Poland), Urmas Paet (Renew Europe, Estonia), and Catarina Vieira (Greens/EFA, The Netherlands).

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has underscored the urgent need for Bangladesh to transition towards cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy solutions as the country navigates a new path toward sustainable economic development. Speaking during a virtual conference on Thursday evening with Carl Page, Chairman of the Anthropocene Institute, and his colleagues, Professor Yunus said Bangladesh—one of the world’s most densely populated and climate-vulnerable nations—cannot afford prolonged reliance on fossil fuels. “It is time for Bangladesh to seriously consider clean energy alternatives, including large-scale solar deployment,” Professor Yunus said. Carl Page highlighted recent advancements in next-generation nuclear technologies and hybrid systems that offer reliable, zero-carbon power. Prof Yunus congratulates Bangladesh on re-election to UPU Council He emphasised that barge-mounted nuclear reactors are cost-effective, low-maintenance, and capable of powering Bangladesh’s growing industrial sector for decades. Nuclear power is no longer a taboo topic among major development financiers like the World Bank, Page said, adding that countries such as Indonesia are already adopting these technologies to meet their rising energy demands. He said Bangladesh, with its strong track record of innovation, is well-positioned to lead in clean energy transition, delivering benefits such as job creation, energy price stability and enhanced industrial competitiveness. “Bangladesh can serve as a strategic hub for emerging technologies and a peaceful leader in atomic innovation,” Page added. Prof Yunus acknowledged that the interim government has recently introduced a new national power policy aimed at accelerating solar energy adoption. Steps taken to ensure fair, peaceful polls: Prof Yunus He, however, said any decision on nuclear options would require rigorous research and feasibility assessments. “We will certainly explore these opportunities. But we need in-depth studies on these promising technologies. There is no question—Bangladesh must drastically reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.” Also present at the meeting were Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari has highlighted the resilience of Nepal’s tourism industry, stressing that it has always managed to recover swiftly despite various shocks. Speaking as a special guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 12th Asia Tourism Fair being held in Dhaka from 18–20 September, Ambassador Bhandari emphasised the growing tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Nepal and Bangladesh. He underscored the need to further strengthen such linkages for the mutual benefit of the two countries. New Prime Minister of Nepal calls for unity after deadly protests Nepal is participating in the Fair as the Prime Partner Country, represented by a 16-member delegation led by the Nepal Tourism Board. The delegation includes representatives from Nepali tour operators, travel agencies, and hoteliers.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has briefed newly appointed Ambassador of the Netherlands, Boris van Bommel on the interim government's preparations to hold a general election in the first half of February, emphasising steps taken to ensure the polls are free, fair and peaceful. The newly appointed Ambassador met Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the Guest House Jamuna on Thursday, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Friday. During the meeting, they discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including strengthening bilateral relations, the upcoming general election, trade and agriculture and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Ambassador van Bommel reaffirmed his country’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. He noted that a European Union pre-election observation team is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh this week, with the Netherlands actively supporting the mission. The discussion also touched on bilateral cooperation in water management. Professor Yunus recalled how Bangladesh has benefitted from Dutch expertise in managing floods and protecting low-lying coastal areas. Read: February polls to be peaceful, festive despite attempts to delay: Prof Yunus “We have a lot in common. There is much we can build together and learn from one another’s experiences,” the Chief Adviser said. Ambassador van Bommel expressed interest in Bangladesh’s recent development achievements, including its innovations in social business and microcredit. Prof Yunus appealed for increased Dutch aid to support more than one million Rohingya refugees currently residing in Cox’s Bazar, citing a significant funding shortfall that threatens ongoing humanitarian efforts. He informed the ambassador of an upcoming high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis, scheduled for September 30 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Chief Adviser expressed the hope that the event would galvanise international support and help mobilise critical funding for the humanitarian response in the camps. Read more: Bangladesh ready to scale up imports from US: Prof Yunus Ambassador van Bommel acknowledged the urgency of the crisis, stating that the Rohingya issue deserves greater international attention. He, however, noted that global focus has been diverted by other ongoing geopolitical conflicts. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator of the government, was also present at the meeting.