United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is likely to pay an official visit to Indonesia in August as both sides eye an enhanced trade, investment and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Southeast Asia’s largest nation. Officials from both sides are working on finding specific dates convenient to both sides, a diplomatic source told UNB on Monday, adding that Jakarta is eager to deepen its engagement with Dhaka. Cooperation in the areas of power and energy sector between Bangladesh and Indonesia is going to be one of the focus areas during the visit, once finalised, according to officials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sought inputs from the relevant ministry on cooperation in the areas of power and sector with Indonesia. The Chief Adviser will have a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, during the planned visit in addition to his other engagements. Indonesian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, who visited Bangladesh earlier this month, described Bangladesh as their ‘strategic’ and an ‘important trade partner’ in the South Asia region. Prof Yunus in London, begins four-day official visit He expressed his country’s readiness to explore mutually beneficial sectors for future investments in Bangladesh and discussed the possibility of greater cooperation in the fields of power generation, energy storage and energy infrastructure development in Bangladesh. During his meeting with Nasir on June 2, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who visited Indonesia several times before assuming office, expressed regret that Dhaka and Jakarta had not forged a closer relationship despite their shared religious, historical and cultural backgrounds. “We must become the closest of friends,” said the Chief Adviser, emphasising the importance of more people-to-people exchanges, including cultural and educational tours. “We are ready to go to great lengths to build a stronger relationship with Indonesia,” he added. Prof Yunus leaves for UK on four-day official visit

Highlighting the importance of reforms in the judiciary, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said these reforms, if fully implemented, will mark a ‘new dawn’ for Bangladesh, fulfilling the aspirations for which so many have sacrificed. “Let us not dwell on the past obstacles. Instead, let us move forward, act decisively and realise the dreams of our martyrs by building a society of equality, dignity and liberty,” he said, adding that ensuring an independent and efficient Judiciary will significantly advance these pursuits. The Chief Adviser was speaking as the chief guest at a national seminar on ‘Judicial, Independence and Efficiency’ with Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed in the chair.  In order to safeguard the district judiciary from executive and political influence, Prof Yunus said steps have been taken to formulate rules for judicial transfers. “The creation of a separate secretariat is a proposal that we cannot walk away from. A separate Secretariat would grant the judiciary the structural autonomy to adjudicate without external pressure,” he said. Prof Yunus said it is also commendable that as part of the reforms, the Supreme Judicial Council has been made fully operational, ensuring judicial accountability and independence. Council of Advisers says ‘yes’ to budget, ‘no’ to black money He extended his heart full gratitude to the Chief Justice for leading these reforms. “His initiative in visioning and visiting every division of Bangladesh to garner support in inculcating a consensus has fostered a strong sense of ownership in the process, in all judicial officers and other stakeholders.” In this demanding work of reforming the judiciary, Prof Yunus said they have not been alone. “I'm very deeply grateful for the generous support provided by the European Union, the UK, UNDP, Sweden and our partners across the international community.” The Chief Adviser said the judiciary's leadership in driving this reform is truly inspiring.  They are deeply committed to achieving an efficient and independent judiciary, and they look forward to its effective realization, he added. “The fate of these crucial aspirations and initiatives depends entirely on our collective efforts. We must keep in mind that our actions during this significant period will echo through time, and we'll make it happen,” said the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus said three magic words -- judiciary, independence and efficiency -- define the foundation of society, and the July uprising gave them the opportunity to build that civilization. “And this is where we are, defining each step of that foundation…..nothing can work until we go back to these three words and establish them,” he said. Prof Yunus said this seminar is particularly timely and significant as it has been convened during a pivotal period of reform of Bangladesh. “Every nation awaits a moment of transformation, an opportunity to mark a new beginning. This is our moment,” he said, adding that this juncture does hold the key to a nation's future in human history and such opportunities are rare. He said they have a long road ahead to fulfill the promises of the July uprising, and they bear an ingrained responsibility to honor this sacred memory of those who laid down their lives in the July uprising. The Chief Adviser laid emphasis on ensuring justice for the heinous crimes against humanity committed during the months of July and August of 2024. “Today, the nation stands united in its determination to hold the perpetrators accountable.” He said they aim to create a just society where liberty, equality and dignity would guide all their actions. The Chief Adviser said in considering reform initiatives, they must assess the effectiveness and credibility of various institutions and structures in shaping Bangladesh's future. Law Minister Dr Asif Nazrul and Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman were, among others, present.

UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade Jonathan Reynolds has reaffirmed the UK's support for Bangladesh's interim government's initiatives to recover misappropriated funds siphoned off to various countries. Reynolds made the assurance when met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the British Parliament on Wednesday. Prof Yunus highlighted the interim government's efforts in economic recovery, particularly reforms in the banking sector, stabilisation of foreign exchange reserves, and the maintenance of macroeconomic stability. UK Crime Agency freezes assets of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade relations and fostering investment opportunities between the two friendly nations, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary. Discussions encompassed mutual interests, including strategies to boost trade and attract increased British investment in Bangladesh. Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, attended the meeting. Special Envoy Siddiqi proposed the initiation of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and Bangladesh, noting that Dhaka has already started discussions on FTAs with several countries, including Japan. No desire to be part of next elected govt: Prof Yunus UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Baroness Rosie Winterton and British High Commissioner to Dhaka Sarah Cooke also participated in the meeting.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Chief of the Navy Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan on Saturday met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. The Army and Navy chiefs along with their spouses met Prof Yunus respectively at the State Guest House Jamuna, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. They exchanged Eid greetings.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday called upon the people of the country to continue their strong support for the interim government's port management reform initiative, stressing that they envision Bangladesh as a key economic hub in South Asia. “We envision Bangladesh as a key economic hub in South Asia. To achieve this, we are not only boosting investment services but also expanding the capacity of our ports,” he said uurging all citizens not to fall victim to baseless opposition and misinformation. In a televised speech to the nation, Prof Yunus said, "Stay united in your support for the government’s efforts to reform port management and resist those who seek to undermine it." Reflecting on the country's progress since independence in 1971, Professor Yunus noted that Bangladesh has not yet reached the level of economic advancement it deserves. Failure to modernise the ports, he warned, would perpetuate the country's unemployment crisis and stall economic development. Addressing public speculation regarding the Chittagong Port, Professor Yunus said, “There have been rumors that the port is being handed over to foreign entities. Let me be clear—Chittagong Port is the heart of Bangladesh’s economy. Currently, this heart is weak. We must strengthen and modernise it if we are to move the economy forward.” He emphasised that transforming the port requires a series of strategic actions and collaboration with global experts. The interim government, he said, is working with leading international port operators from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East to bring world-class expertise to Bangladesh. Prof Yunus dismisses ‘Corridor to Rakhine', reaffirms Rohingya repatriation “These firms manage ports across the globe—in countries like Canada, Australia, China, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and beyond. Our goal is to learn from them and develop our own capabilities. I am confident that if we begin now, by 2031 we will be well-equipped, and by 2036, Bangladeshis will be managing ports around the world,” he said. Professor Yunus said many employment opportunities will open up for Bangladeshis both at home and abroad as a result of this knowledge transfer. “Soon, wherever you go—to ports across the world—you will find people from Chittagong, Noakhali, Sylhet and Barishal working there. Our people will be globally recognised for their expertise,” he said. Prof Yunus also highlighted the broader regional impact of modernised Bangladeshi ports. “Once upgraded, our ports won’t just serve Bangladesh—they will become vital to the economies of our neighbors, including Nepal and Bhutan,” he noted. The Chief Adviser envisioned the entire coastal region—from Kumira to Teknaf—emerging as a major economic zone, with new industrial hubs and modern infrastructure driven by port efficiency and sea access. “This transformation will also give rise to a new industry: modern fish farming, harvesting, and processing. This will create a whole new economic frontier,” he said. Professor Yunus assured the public that national sovereignty and security will remain intact, stating, “Nowhere in the world has the involvement of international port operators compromised a country’s sovereignty or security.”

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday announced that the next national election will be held some time in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress. "After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026," he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening. Based on this announcement, Prof Yunus, the Election Commission, will provide a detailed roadmap for the election at an appropriate time. He said they want an election that will satisfy the souls of the martyrs of the uprising and bring peace to their souls. "We want the largest number of voters, candidates and parties to participate in the next elections. May this be remembered by the nation as the most free, fair and impartial election," Prof Yunus said. After a century and a half, a truly representative parliament will be formed in the country, he assured. A huge group of young people will get the opportunity to vote for the first time in their lives, Prof Yunus said. He said they are committed to the nation to take all necessary steps towards these goals. Prof Yunus appealed to the people of the country to obtain specific commitments from all political parties and candidates in their areas to approve the reforms on which consensus was reached in the first session of the next parliament without any cuts. Prof Yunus urges unity, sacrifice to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh "You will obtain a promise that you will never compromise on the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity of Bangladesh and will not sell the country's interests to any external force," he said. Prof Yunus said he knows that there is great interest among political parties and the public to know when the next national election will be held. "I have repeatedly said this election will be held between December and June next year," he said, adding that the government is doing whatever is necessary to create an environment conducive to elections in the country during this period. "It is important to remember here that the main reason for all the times Bangladesh has plunged into deep crises since independence was flawed elections," said the Chief Adviser. Through repeated accumulations of power through flawed election processes, a political party turned into a barbaric fascist, he said. "Those who organise such elections are identified as criminals by the nation. The party that comes to power through such elections is also hated by the people," Prof Yunus said. A major responsibility of this government is to organise an election in a fair, festive, peaceful and massively participated atmosphere, Prof Yunus said. Working for ‘smooth transition’ to democracy through fair polls: Prof Yunus To organise an election so that the country does not fall into a new crisis in the future, institutional reform is the most important, he said. "If good governance can not be ensured in the institutions that are directly involved in elections, then all the sacrifices of the students and the public will be in vain," he said. Prof Yunus said they took responsibility on the basis of these three mandates: reform, justice and elections. "In that regard, I believe that we will be able to reach an acceptable point in terms of reform and justice by the next Eid-ul-Fitr. Especially in the matter of the trial of crimes against humanity - which is our collective responsibility towards the martyrs of the July mass uprising - we will be able to see visible progress," he said. Prof Yunus said they will be able to implement the mandate that the people have entrusted to them, even if it is minimal. "In that regard, we have discussed with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history," Prof Yunus said.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for holding the lessons of sacrifice of the holy Eid-ul-Adha and build the New Bangladesh which will be happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh free from discrimination. “Let us hold the lessons of sacrifice of the holy Eid-ul-Adha and build the new Bangladesh after the July Uprising as a discrimination-free, happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh,” he said in a message on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha. Prof Yunus prayed to the Almighty Allah for the continued prosperity and progress of Bangladesh and people of the country. Professor Muhammad Yunus extended heartfelt greetings to his fellow countrymen and Muslims around the world on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha. He expressed the hope that the sacred festival would bring welfare and prosperity to all, inspiring a renewed spirit of sacrifice among people. Eid-ul-Azha: President Shahabuddin sends warm wishes to nation The Chief Adviser described Eid-ul-Azha as one of the most significant religious occasions in Islam, symbolising  profound devotion and ultimate submission to Allah Almighty. He said, “The unparalleled example of love, obedience, and sacrifice demonstrated by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah’s command, remains an extraordinary lesson in the history of faith.” Prof Yunus emphasised   that the ritual of animal sacrifice (Qurbani) fosters a sense of selflessness and teaches the importance of sharing both joy and sorrow with family, neighbors, and the wider community. It also imparts a vital lesson in tolerance and empathy, he added. He said the annual observance of Eid-ul-Azha strengthens social bonds by promoting solidarity and equality, as Muslims distribute the meat of the sacrificed animals among relatives, neighbours, and those in need. “Eid-ul-Azha teaches us the values of peace, compassion, sacrifice and brotherhood,” Prof Yunus said. “The true essence of this holy occasion lies in self-purification, self-restraint, and the nurturing of amity and harmony among all Muslims.”

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday called for stronger global support to help Bangladesh cope with funding cuts and continue assisting the vulnerable Rohingya community. Prof Yunus made the remarks when United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis met him at the State Guest House Jamuna. In their meeting, the Resident Coordinator and the Chief Adviser addressed the pressing issues surrounding the Rohingya crisis and the ongoing financing challenges. They expressed grave concern over the significant reductions in funding, which are already severely impacting education and other essential programmes within the camps, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The Resident Coordinator reaffirmed her unwavering solidarity with Bangladesh’s reform and transition process, emphasising the UN's commitment to supporting the nation's path towards sustainable development and prosperity. Bangladesh to send fresh letter to India over ongoing push-ins: Foreign Adviser She commended the robust cooperation with the Interim Government, and both leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on advancing development in Bangladesh. They explored the extensive support the UN could provide to bolster the government's ambitious reform initiatives. The Resident Coordinator also highlighted the critical measures undertaken to ensure a seamless transition for Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category.

- BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said most reforms can be done within a month if there is consensus, emphasising that there's no valid reason to hold the election after December. “We have been able to make it understood that there is not even a single mentionable reason to hold the election after December,” he said while talking to reporters after coming out of the second phase of the talks with the Consensus Commission. The BNP leader also claimed that during the meeting, they observed that almost all political parties proposed holding the election before December this year. He expressed the hope that the Chief Adviser would now take into account the collective proposal of the political parties.  “We hope that, as a symbol of national unity, he will act with complete neutrality, rising above personal attachment or emotion. The nation expects absolute impartiality from him,” Salahuddin said. He said they believe the parliamentary election can be held by December. “Before that, we can identify key reforms, particularly those related to the electoral process, which can be undertaken on an urgent basis and implemented through consensus.” The BNP leader stressed that there are no reforms that cannot be carried out within a month. “We have received a report today that several reforms across various sectors have already been implemented by ordinances issued through the Law Ministry. Many others are in the pipeline. These can be executed either by ordinance, executive order, or even office order.” Salahuddin also said all reforms, except those requiring constitutional amendments, can be implemented within a month through ordinances, executive orders, or administrative directives based on consensus. In response to a question, he said, “We discussed various constitutional proposals submitted by different parties. Considering the sincerity being shown, it is possible to reach a consensus and finalise the charter.” BNP’s Amir Khosru dubs budget unrealistic, disconnected from revenue reality The BNP leader said there will naturally be disagreements on certain issues and they do not expect every party to agree on everything. “If a formal charter is signed based on a consensus, it would be enough. It will also be reflected in our election manifesto and presented as a commitment to the nation.” Speaking about the Consensus Commission, Salahuddin said, “In my opinion, they are showing genuine sincerity. However, they have already lost valuable time. We hope they won’t take much longer. We believe everything can be compiled within this month.” BNP’s Meeting with Consensus Commission Tuesday Meanwhile, the second round of talks between BNP and the National Consensus Commission is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Tuesday at the Foreign Service Academy. The same BNP-delegation, led by Salahuddin Ahmed, will participate in it. Earlier, a three –member BNP delegation, led by Salahuddin Ahmed, joined the second phase of talks organised by the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy. BNP leader Mosharraf urges interim govt to hold polls by Dec for ‘graceful exit’ The meeting was held with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who heads the National Consensus Commission, in the chair, aiming to resolve the disagreements over key reforms that hindered progress in the first round. All the parties involved with the reform initiatives participated in the meeting.  The other members of the BNP delegation are Ismail Zabihullah, a member of the party chairperson’s advisory council and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, former secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. This meeting was part of the ongoing talks that began earlier this year to build a broad political agreement on important national reforms. The first phase of the National Consensus Commission’s meetings with 33 political parties took place from February 15 to May 19. While the major political parties reached a consensus on most of the reforms, they disagreed on some key issues.

Bangladesh and Japan on Friday signed six MoUs on economic, investment and other cooperations on the third day of the ongoing visit of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to Japan. Prof Yunus witnessed the signing of the MoUs on the sidelines of a seminar titled 'Bangladesh Business Seminar' in Tokyo, his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said. The first MoU involves the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry of Bangladesh. The MoU is expected to strengthen cooperation between JBIC and Bangladesh to realise projects in the energy sector, Azad said. The second MoU was signed between ONODA Inc and Bangladesh SEZ Ltd for a land lease contract of BSEZ. ONODA has implemented a gas metre installation project initiated by JICA and is planning to do new assembly manufacturing, inspection and maintenance of gas meters at the factory in BSEZ. The third MoU involves Bangladesh Naxis Co. Ltd and Bangladesh SEZ Ltd for a land lease contract of BSEZ. Bangladesh SEZ Ltd. (BSEZ) and Bangladesh Naxis Co. Ltd (Naxis) will sign a land sublease agreement. Naxis plans to manufacture apparel accessories at the factory in BSEZ. Japan to provide $1.063 billion for budget support, railways The fourth MoU involved Glagit and Musashi Seimitsu Industry Glafit and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on support for setting up a factory for battery-run cycles and an electric motorcycle manufacturing plant. The fifth MoU involves Cipher Core Co. Ltd, which is investing $20 million in its Bangladesh venture to launch a national pilot project for information security based on Complete Cipher Technology by award-winning inventor Takatoshi Nakamura. The project aims to make Bangladesh a quantum-resilient digital economy, with exclusive rights granted to the local entity for technology deployment and global expansion. The sixth MoU involves the Japan International Cooperation Agency and BIDA. This MoU confirms JICA's engagement to provide technical and in-kind support for the early-stage development of the Integrated Single Window Platform (ISWP). This platform is a BIDA-led effort to consolidate the individual one-stop services currently operated by various investment promotion agencies across Bangladesh. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus congratulated all parties involved. “Now it is our task to implement. I am moved,” he said. Japan reaffirms support for Dr Yunus-led interim govt, Bangladesh’s reform drive