United News of Bangladesh

Acute power outages have gripped Mymensingh region at the very start of Baishakh as electricity supply continues to fall short of rising demand, causing widespread suffering for residents, businesses, and key economic sectors. Frequent load-shedding is being reported across the district with rural and remote areas bearing the brunt more than district and upazila headquarters. The ongoing crisis is severely affecting fisheries and poultry farms- two of the region’s major economic drivers — while also disrupting the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. With electricity unavailable for hours, people are struggling with intense heat and mosquito infestation, making daily life increasingly difficult. Business owners have expressed frustration, saying they are already forced to close shops by around 7:00pm and recurring outages of two to three hours throughout the day are adding to their losses. Masudur Haque, executive engineer of the Mymensingh Grid, said electricity demand in greater Mymensingh zone — comprising Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Tangail — rises to 1,200–1,300 megawatts during peak evening hours amid extreme heat. However, supply remains between 700 and 900 megawatts. On Monday, power supply stood at 840MW at 10:00am, he said. In Mymensingh district alone, peak demand reaches around 400MW in the evening while average demand stands at about 250MW. Sources said power generation at the Mymensingh Rural Power Company has dropped drastically due to gas shortages. Against a target of 210MW, production has fallen below 50MW. Besides ,Jamalpur United Power Development plant, which has a generation capacity of 315MW, is currently producing only 66–67MW due to fuel constraints. Subrata Roy, executive engineer of the Mymensingh South Power Distribution Division, said demand in the zone ranges from 450–460MW during off-peak afternoon hours to 500–520MW during peak periods, with other times seeing demand between 430 and 450MW. However, a daily shortfall of around 50–55MW persists, necessitating load-shedding, he said. Officials of various Palli Bidyut Samities said the situation is particularly severe in their respective service areas. Md Golam Mostafa, general manager of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-3, said demand in their area stands at 70–80MW, with 20–25MW of load-shedding required during peak hours. Md Janab Ali, general manager of Samity-1, said their areas require 160–170MW but receive only 80–100MW, forcing them to impose 30–40 percent load-shedding. Abdul Majid, deputy general manager (technical) of Samity-2, said demand in their areas exceeds 300MW, with outages affecting 30–50 percent of supply during both peak and off-peak hours. Visits to different upazilas  including Ishwarganj, Gauripur, Tarakanda, Fulpur, Dhobaura, Fulbaria, and Muktagacha in Mymensingh revealed that residents are experiencing power cuts lasting between three and eight hours daily. In more remote villages, outages can stretch up to seven or eight hours. SSC candidates are among the worst affected. Ashrafunnahar Rayda from Bogar Bazar in Trishal, and Naeem and Jobayer from Trishal municipality, said they face power cuts of five to seven hours daily, severely hampering their studies. The heat and mosquitoes make it almost unbearable to concentrate,they said. Farmers are also facing mounting losses. Fish farmer Roman Mia from Chikna Monohor village in Trishal said continuous irrigation is crucial during Baishakh, but outages are disrupting water supply, affecting fish growth — especially for those producing fry. In Fulbaria’s Rangamatia area, poultry farmer Ayub Ali said many chickens are dying due to heat. “We are spraying water on tin roofs, while some farmers are using generators or IPS systems to run fans,” he said. Power division sources said hourly load-shedding data and demand reports are being regularly sent to regional offices. However, unless generation and supply increase significantly, the situation may worsen further with rising temperatures, they said.

Farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj district are facing severe difficulties in transporting harvested Boro paddy as dilapidated, earthen roads turn movement into a costly and time-consuming ordeal. During the peak harvesting season, farmers are struggling to carry ripe paddy from deep haor fields to drying yards, often navigating broken and muddy earthen paths. In many areas, vehicles remain stuck for hours, while accidents are also being reported, increasing transportation costs and reducing farmers’ profits. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 2,23,511 hectares of land across 137 small and large haors in 12 upazilas of the district had been brought under Boro cultivation this year, with production target of 12,33,517 metric tons of paddy. Although the government spends crores of money to protect crops, farmers have expressed frustration over the lack of initiatives to repair or construct proper roads for paddy transportation. Farmers said repeated appeals over the years to repair and pave haor roads have gone unheeded. Even light rainfall makes the roads almost impassable for tractors, auto-rickshaws, pickup vans and other vehicles. “Transporting paddy from deep haor areas requires proper paved roads. Due to the lack of roads, we have to spend Tk 30-40 per sack for transportation by trolleys. If the roads had been better, the cost would have been much lower,” said Jamal Mia, a farmer of Shani Haor. Farmer Faruk Mia of Matiyan Haor said the rising transportation cost has wiped out expected profits. “We are struggling to recover costs amid harvesting cost, labour shortages and poor road conditions,” he added. Locals said the muddy and risky roads often lead to accidents involving farmers and labourers. In many cases, paddy has to be unloaded before stuck vehicles can be freed. Tahirpur Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Junab Ali said some temporary repairs have been carried out under TR-KABITA projects, but a permanent solution requires construction of paved roads. Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shariful Islam said this year’s paddy production is good, but farmers are facing increased costs due to the lack of durable roads. “Paved roads would significantly ease transportation,” he said. Haor residents have urged authorities to give equal priority to building durable roads for paddy transport, similar to crop protection embankments, to ensure fair profits for farmers in future seasons.

Wu Ting, an editorial board member and publisher of the Shanghai-based media outlet The Paper, has highlighted the delicate balance Chinese media maintain between adhering to state policy and addressing public demand, while emphasising the role of think tanks and diversified sourcing in shaping their coverage of international affairs, including issues related to Bangladesh. During a discussion with a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation in Shanghai, Wu Ting on Monday explained that when the government makes decisions that experts or the public might find questionable, there are multiple channels for feedback beyond direct media criticism. China’s economy grows 5% in Q1, shows resilience despite Iran war impact He noted that think tanks play a significant role by holding discussions and producing papers that offer different perspectives to policymakers. While acknowledging that media organizations in China must respect the law and Communist Party rules, Wu Ting emphasized that they also strive to meet the demands of a diverse audience, particularly intellectuals. He described their editorial process as an effort to raise critical issues while remaining responsible and constructive. He added that they must navigate carefully to avoid the pitfalls of “spicy” misinformation that attracts traffic but lacks accuracy. Addressing differences between the political systems of Bangladesh and China, Wu Ting explained that while they operate within a one-party system, there is sufficient room to explore diverse voices on global issues such as climate change and geopolitics. He cited climate change coverage as an example, noting that reporters often focus on non-governmental actors to provide a broader perspective beyond official policy. When questioned about how The Paper collects information on Bangladesh, Wu Ting highlighted a multi-layered approach to sourcing. He identified Xinhua News Agency as a primary and reliable source for context and background, but clarified that they do not rely on a single narrative. To ensure accuracy, the organization also monitors international news agencies such as AP, Reuters, and The New York Times, while cross-referencing information with specialists. This includes consulting experts from Chinese international studies institutions and engaging directly with academics and contacts within Bangladesh to understand the local reality, he added. Wu Ting expressed a commitment to high standards and objectivity, stating that the goal is to provide multiple perspectives to readers, an approach he believes is why audiences choose their platform as a primary news source.

Two agri-entrepreneurs in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram have achieved notable success cultivating a foreign variety of red grapes, drawing widespread attention and inspiring local farmers to explore new possibilities. Ruhul Amin and Hashem Ali have developed a vineyard of the ‘Bainur’ variety on about two bighas of land in Ajoyatari area near Gongarhat Bazar after nearly a decade of effort. The orchard now hosts around 460 grapevines. They said they began their journey in 2017 with just 40 saplings. While the initial yields were experimental, they started commercial sales in 2022, selling about five maunds of grapes from 50 plants that year. Production has since increased steadily — reaching 10 maunds in 2023, 15 maunds in 2024, and 20 maunds in 2025.  

In a new push to restore order to Bangladesh’s often chaotic transport sector, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is moving to introduce Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking in public vehicles that could transform enforcement and accountability on the country’s roads. The proposed system will enable authorities to monitor vehicle movements and speeds in real time, offering a technology-driven solution to long-standing problems such as reckless driving, unauthorised stoppages, passenger overloading and fare irregularities. “If GPS is introduced, violations can be tracked instantly. Over-speeding or traffic rule breaches will be automatically recorded, allowing legal action against both drivers and owners,” a senior official at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges told UNB. The initiative comes as part of a broader, multi-pronged strategy led by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to tackle the country’s worsening road safety situation, according to an official document. The authorities has  already rolled out a mix of engineering, enforcement and management measures, including redesigning accident-prone “black spots,” improving road geometry, and expanding the installation of traffic signs, signals and road markings. Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, with guardrails, speed breakers, delineators and signboards being installed on key highways. To protect pedestrians, overpasses, footbridges, zebra crossings and service roads are being constructed in busy commercial areas, while provisions for slow-moving and non-motorised vehicles are gradually being introduced. Officials said the integration of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)—such as CCTV surveillance, Vehicle Detection Systems (VDS) and Variable Message Signs (VMS)—is already reshaping traffic monitoring. A speed enforcement system currently operational on the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway is expected to be expanded nationwide. To strengthen institutional capacity, a dedicated Road Design and Safety Circle has been established to analyse accident trends and coordinate safety interventions. Meanwhile, four rest houses for long-distance drivers in Cumilla, Sirajganj, Magura and Habiganj have been set up to reduce fatigue-related accidents. Despite these measures, road safety indicators continue to deteriorate. Data from the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association (BPWA) paints a grim picture: at least 9,111 people were killed and 14,812 injured in 6,729 road accidents in 2025. Compared to the previous year, accidents rose by nearly 7 percent, while fatalities and injuries also recorded significant increases. The economic toll is equally alarming. Experts estimate that road crashes cost the country over Tk 600 billion annually, straining both the economy and healthcare system. Motorcycles remain the single biggest contributor to accidents, accounting for around 37 percent of total incidents. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable group, making up nearly half of all fatalities, while national highways account for over a third of accidents. Safety analysts attribute the rising death toll to a combination of reckless driving, unskilled operators, unregulated battery-run vehicles, poor infrastructure and weak law enforcement. The risks were particularly evident during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr travel rush. Between March 14 and March 28, at least 351 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in road crashes, according to BPWA. Including rail and waterway incidents, total fatalities climbed to 394. Separate data from the Road Safety Foundation reported 298 deaths in 373 road accidents over the same period—an average of about 20 deaths per day. Motorcycles again featured prominently, accounting for nearly 38 percent of fatalities. Experts say head-on collisions and run-over incidents dominate crash patterns, with more than 40 percent occurring on national highways. Chattogram division recorded the highest number of deaths during the period. While the planned GPS tracking system is being welcomed as a step toward modernising traffic enforcement, experts caution that technology alone cannot resolve the crisis. As Bangladesh grapples with mounting casualties on its roads, the success of the GPS initiative may ultimately depend on how effectively it is implemented—and whether it can bring about the behavioural change that has long eluded the sector.    

Once known for its environment and residential facilities, Jahangirnagar University (JU) is now grappling with a worsening sanitation crisis, as thousands of students face health risk due to unhygienic and poorly maintained toilets across campus. Despite its reputation as one of Bangladesh’s leading public universities, JU has failed to ensure basic hygiene facilities in academic buildings, residential halls and public spaces – putting nearly 12,000 students at risk. A recent campus visit revealed a grim reality: the majority of toilets lack soap, tissue, handwash or sanitisers, while many remain dirty due to irregular cleaning. Broken taps, clogged basins, dirty floors and persistent foul smells have become routine complaints.

Amid global energy market volatility triggered by the Iran-Israel-US tensions and concerns over fuel supply Bangladesh’s agriculture sector is feeling the strain particularly during the irrigation season, when diesel-dependent farmers face rising costs and uncertainty. Against this backdrop, solar-powered irrigation is emerging as a beacon of hope across the Rangpur division. Officials say around 5.9 megawatts of electricity is being generated daily from solar irrigation systems in different parts of the region, helping save around 7.5 million litres of diesel in a single irrigation season. Farmers say the shift has eased their worries about diesel shortages, price hikes and power outages, allowing them to irrigate fields on time and reduce production costs. At a deep tube well run by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) in Doani village of Goddimari union under Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat, operator Atiar Rahman said the solar-powered system is irrigating around 15 bighas of land where maize and vegetables are widely cultivated. “Even if diesel is unavailable or prices rise, farmers no longer have to worry, as the system runs on solar power,” he said. However, he pointed out a major untapped opportunity: the solar panels remain largely unused for most eight months of the year after the four-month irrigation season. Introducing net metering to feed surplus electricity into the national grid during this period could benefit farmers, institutions and the government alike, he added. On the ground, solar panels are seen directly powering pumps to irrigate fields—without diesel fumes, fuel shortages or power disruptions. Sudhan Chandra Sen, a farmer from Madhupur village in Kaunia upazila, said, “We don’t have to worry about fuel anymore. Solar power gives us water, crops are better, and costs are lower.” “Earlier, electricity supply was unreliable, and irrigation was often delayed. Now, with solar, water is available all the time,” he added. Shafiqul Islam, president of the Lalmonirhat unit of the Teesta River Protection Movement, said such initiatives are crucial for boosting agricultural production, ensuring food security and modernising the sector. “To improve the livelihoods of marginal farmers, solar irrigation projects should be expanded through both public and private initiatives,” he said. Hossain Mohammad Altaf, executive engineer (construction) of BADC in Rangpur, said no new solar irrigation projects have been launched since 2022 though existing installations remain operational. He said a total of 596 solar-powered irrigation units were active in eight districts of Rangpur division in the last irrigation season. With an average production of 10 kilowatts per unit, total generation stood about 5.96 megawatts—enough to run 80,000 to 85,000 fans daily—while saving around 7.5 million litres of diesel over four months, he said. Habibur Rahman Khan, supervising engineer ofRangpur circle of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), said while no new projects have been added existing ones are functioning, and two net metering systems are already operational. Northern Electricity Supply PLC (NESCO )Rangpur Chief Engineer (Operation) Mizanur Rahman said a faster transition from diesel-based to solar irrigation could save foreign currency and cut carbon emissions. “For a climate-vulnerable country like Bangladesh, this can be a sustainable pathway for agriculture,” he said, adding that most solar irrigation systems fall under rural electrification areas, and net metering could be introduced with proper initiative from the authorities. Farmers have called for launching new solar irrigation projects, rehabilitating old ones and enabling surplus electricity to be fed into the grid. “If sunlight can grow crops in the fields, it can also help meet the country’s electricity needs,” they said.

Sylhet is grappling with relentless load shedding – mainly triggered by the global energy crisis following the Middle East conflict – disrupting daily life and putting SSC candidates under mounting pressure just days before their exams begin on April 21. Officials said the crisis stems from a shortfall in electricity supply from the national grid due to reduced generation amid the global energy crisis, with no sign of immediate improvement. Residents and traders said electricity disruptions continue throughout the day and night. According to officials of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) in Sylhet, there was a demand of 170 megawatts of electricity on Thursday in district, against which only 130 megawatts were supplied, leaving a deficit of 40 megawatts. However, common people claim that the real picture is far worse than official figures suggest. Many areas reportedly experienced more than seven hours without electricity within a 12-hour period on Thursday, till evening. Life on hold: 50,000 Rangpur people pay price for missing bridge The situation has become particularly alarming for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinees, who are struggling to study amid long power cuts and intense heat. Zakaria Talukder, a resident of Golapganj upazila, said students are facing serious difficulties as electricity remains unavailable for hours at a stretch. “If we get power for one hour, we stay in darkness for the next two,” he said. Businesses are also reeling from the power crisis. Traders said shops are already required to close by 7:00pm every day, and frequent outages throughout the day are further cutting into operating hours, leading to losses. Road woes deepen in Beanibazar as 250km fall into disrepair Matiur Rahman, a businessman, said frequent load shedding has pushed many factories to the brink of closure. “To keep production running, many are being forced to use diesel-powered generators, but diesel is also in short supply. As a result, costs have risen significantly without any increase in output.” Anwar Hossain, owner of a shopping complex at Zindabazar of the city, echoed Matiur Rahman. “We open late in the morning and close early in the evening. With constant load shedding, we are losing a significant portion of business time,” he said. Sources said the ongoing energy crisis, exacerbated by fuel shortages linked to the Middle East conflict, has led to limited electricity generation nationwide. Officials warned that load shedding could worsen if fuel supply is not stabilised. Chief Engineer of BPDB Sylhet division Mohammad Imam Hossain said demand has surged with rising temperatures, but generation has not kept pace. “As supply remains insufficient, load shedding is unavoidable. There is no immediate prospect of improvement unless national generation increases,” he added. Fuel crisis hits Rangpur, motorists spend hours in queues Since early April, load shedding has intensified across Sylhet, particularly in rural areas where outages last between six to eight hours daily. While urban areas receive somewhat scheduled power cuts, rural areas are experiencing prolonged and unpredictable outages. The government has enforced sweeping austerity measures such as early closure of shops, revised office hours, and partial online education to manage the situation, but these steps have yet to ease public suffering. Residents say the combined impact of extreme heat and persistent outages has made daily life increasingly difficult, especially for children, the elderly, and the sick.  

Bangladesh’s banking sector, which should operate as the backbone of the economy, is struggling to regain its footing due to a profound lack of good governance and deepening financial instability. According to the latest review by Bangladesh Bank, 17 banks failed to generate any net profit in 2024, while 11 banks gave up spending under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) altogether in 2025. Experts view these as a clear sign of the dire state of the industry, fueled by skyrocketing non-performing loans (NPLs), weak boards, and political interference. Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh and former senior economist at the World Bank, told UNB that the financial health of some banks has revealed the worsening situation of the sector. He pointed out that these banks will take several years to return to a good financial position. At the same time, the strict policy regulations and skilled management are also required for these banks. Towfiqul Islam Khan, an economist and the Additional Research Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that the scenario was a reflection of the economy of Bangladesh. The banking sector is like the blood circulation in the financial sector; while banks are in trouble, the overall economy will not be vibrant, he said. Zero CSR Spending by 11 Banks: A recent central bank report on CSR activities revealed that 11 banks made no contributions to social welfare in 2025. These institutions include: Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, BASIC Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, National Bank, Global Islami Bank, Padma Bank, Union Bank, and National Bank of Pakistan. While CSR funds are typically allocated to sectors like education, health, and climate change, the zero expenditure by these banks suggests they are too preoccupied with internal financial and administrative crises to fulfill their social obligations. Profitability Crisis: Meanwhile, the central bank's performance report for 2024 identifies 17 banks that failed to earn a net profit. The list comprises several state-owned and struggling private lenders: Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, BASIC Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, AB Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, First Security Islami Bank, ICB Islamic Bank, IFIC Bank, National Bank, NRB Commercial Bank, Global Islami Bank, Padma Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, and National Bank of Pakistan. Analysts cite high NPLs, unearned interest income, rising operating costs, and irregularities in loan disbursement as the primary drivers of this unprofitability. Many of these banks are now facing such severe capital shortfalls that they struggle to maintain regular business operations. Interestingly, the report noted that six banks managed to contribute to CSR in 2025 despite recording no profits in 2024, likely by utilizing previous reserves—a move experts warn may challenge long-term stability. The crisis points toward systemic issues that have plagued the sector for years. The main challenges identified include: A significant portion of total loans is stuck with large borrowers who continue to enjoy new facilities without repayment. Political and influential interference in boardrooms often overrides commercial logic. Lack of profits has led to a sharp decline in Capital Adequacy Ratios (CAR). Also, reliance on manual systems and outdated software increases operational risks. Impact on the Economy: The fragility of the banking sector is casting a long shadow over the national economy. A weak banking system leads to reduced credit flow to industries, hindered investment, and slowed GDP growth. In 2025, the total CSR expenditure by the banking sector stood at Tk 345.05 crore, with Tk 98.44 crore going to education and Tk 85.64 crore to health. However, the fact that only a few strong banks carry the bulk of this expenditure highlights a massive disparity in financial health across the sector. Urgent Reforms Needed: The economists and industry insiders are calling for immediate intervention to stabilize the sector. Key recommendations include: 1. Strict Loan Recovery: Legal action against willful defaulters. 2. Board Accountability: Ensuring transparency and independence in bank management. 3. Digitalization: Modernizing risk management and banking software. 4. Policy Oversight: Strengthening CSR monitoring to ensure it remains a merit-based, profit-driven obligation. Without swift reformative steps, this deep-seated governance crisis and financial weakness pose a significant risk to the overall economic stability of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is seeking to 'maximise its diplomatic gains' through a series of high-level engagements at Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 (ADF2026) with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman's presence at this key global diplomatic gathering in Türkiye’s resort city Antalya, officials said. The country aims to build support for its candidature for the UN General Assembly Presidency while advancing bilateral relations, a senior official told UNB. The 5th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will take place on April 17-19 in Antalya, Türkiye. In the face of geopolitical tensions, shifting balances of power, rising trade barriers and mounting pressure on multilateralism, the current global landscape is marked by increasing unpredictability. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur, who arrived in Turkey on Thursday, will attend the ADF at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. This year's theme "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties" emphasises the importance of anticipating and addressing emerging issues to be able to shape a better future. The theme underscores the need to stay ahead of future developments by identifying risks and opportunities, developing strategies and turning insights into action, said the organisers. The Foreign Minister will attend two panels as a panelist and hold a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from different countries, a senior official familiar with his programme schedule told UNB. In view of his candidature for the UNGA Presidency, he said that this would be a very important forum to attend. The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will open at historic crossroads. Eight decades after the UN Charter was signed in San Francisco, the 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," said Dr Khalilur in his vision statement as one of the candidates 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. Don’t be worried, exercise austerity amid Middle East crisis: PM Over the years, Dr Khalilur has actively participated in sixteen UNGA sessions, engaging directly in its negotiations, high-level meetings and follow-up processes. Throughout his career, he 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," Dr Khalilur said, who wants to effectively lead the General Assembly to advance this overarching goal. The election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the eighty first session will be held on June 2 in the General Assembly Hall, UNHQs. 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. "We are trying to maximise the number of meetings in Türkiye," the official said, noting that there are requests for international media interviews and meeting requests from international organisations as well. As conflicts remain unresolved, polarisation grows and strategic rivalries expand, numerous critical issues continue to affect people all over the world, said the organisers. In order to address these challenges and work towards a more inclusive, fair and effective international system, they said, the consolidation of international cooperation, dialogue and solidarity is imperative. ADF2026 will bring together leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business experts, media and civil society representatives to explore how to best manage uncertainties and address pressing issues while preparing for future challenges. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions as well as bilateral meetings, the participants will discuss global trends and regional dynamics, exchange views on possible solutions and share best practices. The Forum will once again provide a valuable platform for fostering dialogue, restoring trust and engaging in stronger cooperation; mapping the path forward to a more peaceful, stable and resilient world for future generations, organisers said. Since its launch in 2021, the forum has steadily grown into a leading platform for dialogue, cooperation, and high-level diplomatic engagement worldwide. This year’s edition is expected to host representatives from more than 150 countries, including heads of state, ministers, and senior officials from international organisations. More than 20 heads of state, 15 deputy leaders, and over 50 foreign ministers are expected to take part, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources. In total, the forum is set to bring together more than 460 high-level participants, including around 75 representatives from international organisations, alongside nearly 5,000 guests. The ADF26 will feature broad geographical representation, with nearly half of participating heads of state coming from Africa and Europe. Brussels Visit After attending the three-day Antalya Diplomacy Forum, he will leave for Brussels, Belgium, to attend a signing event on the framework agreement on 'Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation' between Bangladesh and the European Union. Bangladesh and the EU have prepared to sign the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) next week which is aimed at further institutionalising bilateral cooperation. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller met the Foreign Minister at the ministry on Wednesday and discussed issues of mutual interest. They discussed the Foreign Minister’s upcoming visit to Brussels to lead a delegation for the initialling of the PCA. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the long-standing and mutually beneficial Bangladesh-EU partnership, noting that it has evolved into a comprehensive and multifaceted engagement. They discussed avenues of mutual interest, including reform initiatives, migration management, skills development, rule of law, and good governance. The EU looks forward to the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Bangladesh which will be ‘initialled’ during the visit of the Foreign Minister to Brussels on April 20, enhancing cooperation across the board. The Heads of Mission of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the EU recently met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a senior official told UNB, noting that the EU has already conveyed its message of readiness to intensify relations with the new government. The EU expressed support for priority reforms, economic modernisation and managed migration, stressing the importance of a level playing field to promote investment and shared values underpin the EU’s partnerships around the world. On his way back home, the Foreign Minister is expected to make a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will return to Bangladesh on April 24.