United News of Bangladesh

In a move for international sports diplomacy, Bangladesh and Türkiye have officially signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of sports. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Hoque and Osman Askin Bak, Minister for Youth and Sports of Türkiye signed the MoU on behalf of their respective filed, marking a new era of friendship, focusing on youth development, professional athletic exchange, and the modernisation of sports governance between the two brotherly nations. The MoU outlined a multifaceted framework for collaboration, prioritising the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Both nations committed to reciprocal visits of senior officials and experts to share best practices in the organisation and financing of major sports competitions. Meanwhile, the MoU emphasised the management and financing of world-class sports infrastructure, ensuring that both countries can benefit from shared technical data and teaching materials. In a significant commitment to social inclusion, the MoU highlighted the exchange of best practices for support programs and sports accessibility for persons with impairments and ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethics in their respective sporting environment. This milestone MoU is expected to significantly boost the performance of athletes on the global stage while fostering a deeper cultural understanding through the universal language of sports.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva Nahida Sobhan has called upon development partners to intensify efforts to mobilise investment to close the digital infrastructure gap, strengthen cybersecurity, counter misinformation and disinformation. She also called upon the development partners to address digital literacy, challenges including the gender digital divide, and support AI upskilling for the youth workforce in preparation for the future of work. The envoy highlighted Bangladesh Government’s initiatives to bridge the digital divide, strengthen public digital infrastructure, and expand financial inclusion during a roundtable discussion held at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters, said the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva on Tuesday. The roundtable was organised by ITU in participation with Ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, European Union, Gambia, Italy and Mexico to observe the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day. During the discussion, Ambassador Nahida  stated that the Government remains committed to advancing inclusive digital transformation and expanding access to technology-driven services for all, as reflected in its manifesto. Emphasising the growing impact of AI and emerging technologies on societies, the Ambassador highlighted the need to develop legal and governance frameworks for AI platforms, with focus on human rights, AI safety and security, prevention of the weaponization of AI, democratisation of AI, and enhanced international development cooperation.

Bangladesh has condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous attack by Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon on May 11, which resulted in the tragic killing of two Bangladeshi nationals. They are late Shafiqul Islam of Satkhira Sadar, Satkhira, and late Md. Nahidul Islam Nahid of Ashashuni, Satkhira. The government of Bangladesh expressed its profound grief and deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims. The Bangladesh Embassy in Lebanon is working with the relevant local authorities to complete the necessary formalities for the repatriation of their mortal remains, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. It is also in touch with the family members of the deceased persons. Bangladesh reiterated its deep concern over the continuing violence and loss of civilian lives in the region and called for maximum restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law.  

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism, UN peacekeeping and international cooperation during a visit of a delegation from the United States Army War College to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations. Welcoming the delegation on Monday, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury underscored the country’s longstanding engagement with the UN, rooted in its constitutional commitment to international peace and security. He said Bangladesh remains one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations, with Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving with distinction in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones. The Ambassador briefed the delegation on the activities of Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission including its engagement to build on its legacies in peacekeeping, sustainable development, women empowerment and climate justice. Reaffirming Bangladesh’s strong support for the United Nations, Ambassador Chowdhury stressed that dialogue, compromise and consensus-building remain essential to addressing contemporary global challenges and strengthening international cooperation.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will definitely visit China “at some point,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said on Monday, stressing that the timing and itinerary of the Prime Minister’s first bilateral visit abroad have not yet been finalised. “Once finalised, we will let you know. At some point, the Prime Minister will visit China, which remains an important development partner for Bangladesh,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Adviser made the remarks amid speculation that the Prime Minister may visit China first, potentially with developments related to the Teesta project. He said Bangladesh had a “very good and positive” discussion with China regarding the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), adding that China’s Exim Bank will finance the project. Asked when work on the Teesta project would begin, the Adviser said the study report is currently being reviewed and recommendations are being looked into. He said the project requires detailed discussions and further consultations before implementation can proceed. “More discussions are pending. More time will be needed for detailed discussions,” he added. At the invitation of Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman visited China from May 5 to 7, during which the two sides held talks in Beijing. Adviser Humaiun Kobir accompanied the Foreign Minister. Both sides agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen exchanges and collaboration in areas including trade, investment, industry, digital economy, water resources, health and people-to-people connectivity. Bangladesh also expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support for the country’s development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kobir said Bangladesh’s relations with China are historic and the relationship was initiated by former President Ziaur Rahman.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Monday said Bangladesh is not intimidated by barbed wire and will not remain silent if killings along the border continue. “See, if you want to have relations with people, the people of Bangladesh are not afraid of barbed wire. Do you understand? The government of Bangladesh is also not afraid of barbed wire; where we need to talk, we will talk," he said. Responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kobir said the Indian government needs to demonstrate a more "humane approach" in resolving border security issues if it wants to strengthen people-to-people relations. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that the state government has begun the process of transferring land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing the India-Bangladesh border. The newly elected chief minister said that the land would be handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs within 45 days to address the issue of illegal infiltration. Adviser Kobir said that election rhetoric and actual governance are two different issues and Bangladesh wants to see whether West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari's government is following the election rhetoric in governance. “But the actual running of the government is a different matter. Let’s wait and give it some time to see whether the BJP government in West Bengal intends to carry the same rhetoric into governance," he said, adding that their relationship is primarily with the central government. "We do not want to become involved in their internal politics.” He said Bangladesh would not remain silent if people continued to be killed along the border. "The border we saw during Sheikh Hasina's time will never be the same again. If someone wants to do something on the border in that way, this Bangladesh will not be the same Bangladesh that will sit and watch. Bangladesh also has its own plans on what to do. I hope things will not go that way," Kobir said. Highlighting the importance of regional stability and peace, the Adviser said Bangladesh seeks regional stability and peace, wants dialogue with neighboring and regional countries, and expects all sides to engage sincerely despite challenges. Emphasising the commitment between the leadership of the two countries to advance bilateral relations, he said, "If we want to move bilateral relations forward, then the mindset and commitment of both countries’ leadership must remain firm, and there is indeed a commitment to continue despite the challenges. Of course there will be challenges, and in some cases serious challenges, he said. However, he said, as long as the door to dialogue remains open, initiatives can be taken to resolve them. "Some issues may be resolved quickly, while others will require more time." The Adviser said they do not want to get into their (West Bengal) internal politics and stressed that they want to live in a cordial space. "We must maintain regional peace and stability," he said.

The High Commission of India in Dhaka on Sunday hosted an interaction with a Bangladeshi media delegation, following their visit to India on May 3-9 as part of a special training programme arranged by the government of India. During the session, Deputy High Commissioner Pawankumar Badhe reviewed the visit of the media delegation, which comprised of members of Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) and journalists who cover economic and diplomatic affairs. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh were also present.  During the visit to New Delhi and Mumbai, the delegation interacted with senior government leaders, including Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, think tank, media persons, business chamber and technology experts. The visit of the media delegation is part of the long-standing tradition of capacity-building and exchange initiatives between India and Bangladesh, aimed at fostering people-to-people contacts between the two countries, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has highlighted the current government's commitment to creating a comprehensive national security architecture, which is pivotal to pursuing a robust foreign policy. He made the remarks while delivering keynote address at a policy roundtable titled “Bangladesh First: A Foreign Policy Outlook for A New Bangladesh” organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) recently. Adviser Humaiun outlined the government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy doctrine, emphasising strategic autonomy, economic diplomacy, balanced global engagement, regional connectivity, and climate diplomacy. BIPSS President Maj Gen ANM Muniruzzaman (Retd) moderated the roundtable and stressed the need for a pragmatic, balanced, and nationally driven foreign policy amid growing geopolitical, economic, and technological challenges. An engaging discussion followed with the audience, which included, among others, Members of Parliament, diplomats, academics, policymakers, and media representatives. Senior Research Fellow at BIPSS Shafqat Munir described the “Bangladesh First” doctrine as a return to strategic pragmatism centred on Bangladesh’s national interests and sovereignty. He emphasised that given the growing geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global dynamics, Bangladesh requires a confident, strategically agile, and professionally driven foreign policy outlook anchored in long-term national interests.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is now visiting the United States where he will join an informal interactive dialogue as part of the election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 81st session. The President of the eightieth session of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, will convene the informal interactive dialogues with the candidates on May 13 (10am and 3pm) in New York, a senior official told UNB. The dialogues will be broadcast live on UN WebTV. Civil society organisations and individuals were invited to engage in the informal interactive dialogue by submitting questions to the candidates. Questions were received through the registration of participants who will engage either in person or through video messages. Dr Khalilur is a candidate from the Asia–Pacific region with over thirty years of experience with the United Nations, both as a representative of Bangladesh to the General Assembly and as a senior official at the UN secretariat in New York and at UNCTAD in Geneva. Over the years, he has actively participated in sixteen UNGA sessions engaging directly in its negotiations, high-level meetings and follow-up processes. Throughout his career, Dr Khalilur has worked extensively on development issues facing the Global South, including those related to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). “I am convinced that our world now needs a more effective and responsive multilateralism. By working together, we can build a more robust multilateral system that commands the trust of Member States and delivers tangible benefits for all,” said the Foreign Minister in his vision statement. The Foreign Minister said he believes that he has the combination of knowledge, experience and leadership capabilities to effectively lead the General Assembly to advance this overarching goal. The election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 81st session will be held on June 2 in the General Assembly Hall, UNHQs, in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the eighty first session of the General Assembly will be elected from the Asia Pacific Group. Following the withdrawal of the Palestinian candidature, Bangladesh will now compete with Cyprus. The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will open at historic crossroads, Dr Khalilur said, adding that eight decades after the UN Charter was signed in San Francisco, their shared system of multilateral cooperation faces profound challenges. “Yet this moment also presents unprecedented opportunities to renew its promise for “we the peoples” in the twenty-first century,” he said.  

Highlighting the importance of safe, orderly, and regular migration, Bangladesh on Monday issued a stern warning to bring unscrupulous syndicates involved in illegal practices under the law. The warning came at a meeting on migration, mobility, and the Bangladesh situation held at the State Guest House Padma at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussion took place against the backdrop of recent deaths of Bangladeshi migrants in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting the perilous Bangladesh-Libya-Italy route through irregular channels.  Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, senior government officials, the Ambassador of Italy, the CDA a.i. of Libya, and the Chief of IOM Mission in Dhaka also took part in the discussion with Shama Obaed in chair. The State Minister highlighted the “zero tolerance” commitment of the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman toward illegal migration. At the session, Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro informed that the European Union is going to enact a new regulation on asylum and migration in June 2026, under which the asylum process would become tougher for illegal migrants seeking legal status. The meeting discussed ways for the future expansion of safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways by equipping migrants with skills, language proficiency, and making regular pathways more attractive. The need to link skill training with employment opportunities and collaborate with employers in destination countries to establish employment-guaranteed migration frameworks was underlined for a well-managed regular migration pathway. The State Minister also opined that the Bangladeshi diaspora should be engaged so that they could contribute more through remittances, capital, expertise, and ideas imbued with the vision of “Bangladesh First” to push Bangladesh onto a development trajectory envisioned by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting ended with a general agreement among all partners to continue working together in close coordination to curb illegal migration, promote regular migration, and maintain a humane, regular, and rights-based approach throughout the migration process.