United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus arrived here on Monday night to attend the Earthna Summit 2025 and discuss the issues of mutual interest with the leadership of the gas-rich Gulf kingdom. Bangladesh is eyeing a stronger economic cooperation with Qatar and greater engagement in the energy sector. Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md. Nazrul Islam received Prof Yunus upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport at around 21:40pm (Doha time) by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. Earlier, he departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a four-day visit at 7:00pm (Dhaka time). Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said Prof Yunus will have a series of engagements during his stay in Qatar. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, are accompanying the Chief Adviser. The Chief Adviser is paying the visit at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Dr Yunus is likely to have meetings with both the Amir of Qatar and the Deputy Prime Minister in addition to other engagements. Since there is a long-term agreement with Qatar on LNG import, Press Secretary Alam said Bangladesh will have a discussion on greater energy sector cooperation. He said there will be an investment Summit on April 23 from which Bangladesh expects positive response. CA Prof Yunus off to Qatar to attend Earthna Summit Bangladesh stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. Press Secretary Alam said the visa issues will also be discussed. He said there will be an event on the Rohingya issue where global stakeholders will participate. Alam hoped that the Rohingya issue would be brought back to global attention as there are efforts from the interim government. Earthna Summit The second edition of the Earthna Summit under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge” highlights Qatar’s commitment to advancing sustainability in hot and arid environments, by drawing on its rich cultural heritage and unique ecosystems. The Summit serves as a platform for exploring how both traditional knowledge and innovation approaches can inform modern sustainability, shaping a more resilient and inclusive future. During the two days – April 22-23, the Earthna Summit will explore a wide range of topics through presentations, interactive panel discussions, workshops and roundtables. Besides, the Earthna Village in Barahat Msheireb will host a series of inspiring talks and discussions led by various experts and innovators to foster dialogue and inspiration. A number of side events by partners will host a series of networking activations and discussions lead by local stakeholders. Dr Yunus relentlessly devotes his time and energy to inspire people into creating a world of 3 Zeros - zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty once for all and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in everyone. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return home on April 25. Eminent Persons In a historic first, four national women athletes from Bangladesh are accompanying the Chief Adviser. The delegation includes footballers Afeida Khandaker and Shaheda Akhter Ripa and cricketers  Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana. Want to be good, close neighbours, says Prof Yunus seeking stronger Dhaka-Beijing ties  This is the first time a group of female athletes is travelling as part of an official delegation with a head of government of Bangladesh, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The Qatar Foundation extended the invitation to the athletes through the Chief Adviser’s Office. On Thursday evening, the four athletes met Professor Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where they discussed their goals for the visit and expressed their excitement. "We are thrilled to be part of this visit. It's not just a personal honour but also a proud moment for our teammates and the sports community in Bangladesh," the footballers were quoted by the press wing as saying. They added that they hoped to invite the Qatari women's football team for a friendly match and were eager to explore Qatar's sports facilities and professional training methods. The cricketers expressed their desire to spark interest in cricket in Qatar, where the sport is not yet widely followed. "We've prepared a presentation to introduce both our men's and women's cricket journeys," they said. During the meeting, the athletes also shared their personal struggles and thanked the Chief Adviser for giving them the opportunity to represent the country abroad. Prof Yunus urges regional unity, youth innovations to tackle climate-urban challenges Dr Yunus praised the athletes for their resilience and passion. "You are Bangladesh's sports ambassadors. Share your real stories. Represent our country's spirit and progress through sports," he said. He assured full support from his office to ensure the success of their trip.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has summoned information on all types of bank accounts of model Meghna Alam. A letter in this regard was sent to all banks in the country on Monday. The BFIU has ordered the banks to send Meghna's personal information or documents, such as account opening forms and transaction statements, within seven working days from the date of the letter. On the night of April 9, the detectives of DMP arrested Meghna from her home in Bashundhara in the capital under the Special Powers Act. Two days after the arrest, she was sent to court which gave her a 30-day detention. Model Meghna shown arrested in fraud case The arrest incident sparked a storm of criticism. Later, on April 15, Dhanmondi Model Police Station Inspector Mohammad Abdul Alim filed a case against Meghna, businessman Dewan Sameer and two or three unidentified others on charges of extortion and fraud.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus left Dhaka for Doha this (Monday) evening on a four-day visit to attend the Earthna Summit 2025 and discuss issues of mutual interests with Qatar’s leadership, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation. The Chief Adviser departed for Doha at 7:00pm from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy earlier in the day, saying that Prof Yunus will have a series of engagements during the visit. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad were also present. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, are accompanying the Chief Adviser. The Chief Adviser is paying the visit at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. CA Dr Yunus off to China, eyeing to take Dhaka-Beijing ties to new height Prof Yunus is likely to have meetings with both the Amir of Qatar and the Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed in addition to other engagements. Since there is a long-term agreement with Qatar on LNG import, Press Secretary Alam said Bangladesh will have a discussion on greater energy sector cooperation. He said there will be an investment Summit on April 23 from which Bangladesh expects a positive response. Bangladesh stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. In a historic first, four national women athletes from Bangladesh—footballers Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa, along with cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana—are accompanying the Chief Adviser as part of the delegation. This is the first time a group of female athletes will travel as part of an official state delegation with a head of government of Bangladesh. The Qatar Foundation extended the invitation to the athletes through the Chief Adviser’s office. On Thursday evening, the four athletes met Professor Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where they discussed their goals for the visit and expressed their excitement. "We are thrilled to be part of this visit. It's not just a personal honour but also a proud moment for our teammates and the sports community in Bangladesh," the footballers were quoted by the press wing as saying. They added that they hoped to invite the Qatari women's football team for a friendly match and were eager to explore Qatar's sports facilities and professional training methods. The cricketers expressed their desire to spark interest in cricket in Qatar, where the sport is not yet widely followed. "We've prepared a presentation to introduce both our men's and women's cricket journeys." During the meeting, the athletes also shared their personal struggles and thanked the Chief Adviser for giving them the opportunity to represent the country abroad. Dr Yunus praised the athletes for their resilience and passion. "You are Bangladesh's sports ambassadors. Share your real stories. Represent our country's spirit and progress through sports," he said. He assured full support from his office to ensure the success of their trip. Earthna Summit The second edition of the Earthna Summit under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge” highlights Qatar’s commitment to advancing sustainability in hot and arid environments, by drawing on its rich cultural heritage and unique ecosystems. Dr Yunus leaves for Bangkok to attend 6th BIMSTEC Summit Dr Yunus urges quick implementation of Women Affairs Commission’s recommendations. The Summit serves as a platform for exploring how both traditional knowledge and innovation approaches can inform modern sustainability, shaping a more resilient and inclusive future. During the two days – April 22-23 -- the Earthna Summit will explore a wide range of topics through presentations, interactive panel discussions, workshops and roundtables. Besides, the Earthna Village in Barahat Msheireb will host a series of inspiring talks and discussions led by various experts and innovators to foster dialogue and inspiration. A number of side events by partners will host a series of networking activations and discussions lead by local stakeholders. Dr Yunus relentlessly devotes his time and energy to inspire people into creating a world of 3 Zeros - zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty once for all and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in everyone. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return home on April 25.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with China and described his recent visit to China as a turning point in the relationship between the two countries.  “This is just the beginning. We are so close, yet so far. Let’s change that,” said Prof Yunus, welcoming Governor Wang Yubo of Yunnan Province on his first visit to Bangladesh. “We hope you will visit us again soon — we want to be good neighbours, but more importantly, very close neighbours," he said during a high-level meeting with the Governor at the State Guest House Jamuna. The Chief Adviser recalled his recent visit to China, describing it as a turning point in the relationship between the two countries. He praised China for its warm hospitality and expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping for his encouraging words on strengthening ties between the two countries. Governor Yubo responded warmly, saying, “My visit is aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relationship. Yunnan is ready to serve as China’s open hub for South Asia.” The Chief Adviser and the Governor discussed a range of collaborative initiatives, including youth exchange, healthcare cooperation, education, and trade, said the Chief Adviser's press wing.  Governor Yubo noted that a Chinese bank in Yunnan had already adopted the microcredit system pioneered by Prof Yunus. “Many people in China are benefiting from this approach,” he said, highlighting shared social goals between the two nations. Governor Yubo proposed expanding cooperation in vocational training and digital and language education, as well as promoting trade in sectors like seafood, mango and agricultural products. “We should focus on people-to-people ties and bring our regions even closer,” Wang Yubo said.   The Chief Adviser endorsed the Governor's suggestions. “We agree on everything you said – from health and education to trade and training. We want to implement these things faster than ever. We want to become closer partners and true friends.” Yunnan Governor eyes stronger ties with Bangladesh in key sectors like health, education   Healthcare emerged as a key focus during the meeting.  The Chief Adviser expressed appreciation for China’s support in launching medical tourism, including the designation of four hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients. “This cooperation is a new chapter in our partnership,” he said. Both sides also agreed on the importance of enhancing educational exchanges. Currently, around 400 Bangladeshi students are studying in China, and Professor Yunus pledged to increase that number significantly. “We will encourage more of our youth to study in China and learn the language,” he emphasised. Mexican candidate for UNESCO meets Prof Yunus, lauds Bangladesh’s inclusive dev On the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties, the Chief Adviser reaffirmed Bangladesh’s desire to work with China even more closely to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for prosperity. The meeting was also attended by Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.    

Visiting Governor of the Yunnan Province Wang Yubo on Sunday proposed three suggestions for strengthening ties between Bangladesh and China, noting that President Xi Jinping has been attentive to the development of Yunnan Province and has given a series of important instructions on its development direction and priorities.  “We firmly believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, the path of friendly cooperation between Yunnan and Bangladesh will grow ever wider, making even greater contributions to the building of high-quality Belt and Road,” he said, warmly inviting their friends from Bangladesh to visit Yunnan, where they can experience "Yunnan: a many-splendored life " and share "opportunities called Yunnan." Yubo was speaking at the launching ceremony of Yunnan Provincial Education and Medical Exhibition at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban Auditorium, Dhaka University. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum attended the event as the chief guest. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and DU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, among others, spoke at the event. Regarding his three suggestions, the Governor said, first, join hands to advance the modernisation of education. “Second, join hands to promote the building of a shared community for health and wellness. Thirdly, let us join hands to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in tourism,” he said. Governor Yubu said Yunnan has more than 90 universities, offering 15 languages programmes that cover languages of countries in South and Southeast Asia with which China has established diplomatic relations, and it is one of the key overseas study destinations for South Asian students. Bangladesh has the rich experience in higher education, vocational education and well-known institutions like the University of Dhaka, he said. “We warmly welcome more Bangladeshi students to study in Yunnan and encourage more teachers to engage in academic exchange here,” said the Governor. Mexican candidate for UNESCO meets Prof Yunus, lauds Bangladesh’s inclusive dev Yunnan, in collaboration with China's top hospitals, has established national regional medical centers specialising in cardiovascular, oncology, respiratory and other fields, he said. “We look forward to deepening cooperation in areas such as disease prevention, maternal and child healthcare, elderly healthcare, as well as advancing public welfare projects,” he said. In 2024, the province welcomed 700 million visitors, with domestic travelers accounting for over 50% and over 6 million inbound tourists visiting Yunnan. Nearly 4 million tourists stayed in Yunnan for more than 15 days. He said Yunnan will actively optimise visa and customs procedures, enhance transportation and payment conveniences, and improve comprehensive inbound tourism services, ensuring that Bangladeshi tourists find their trips easy, comfortable and delightful. Ambassador Yao said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus visited China and reached a broad consensus with President Xi Jinping. “It sends a strong political signal that our mutual support is firm and unshakable,” he said, adding that it also marks that the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership has now stepped onto a new and higher level. “At the new stage, we will do our utmost to deliver on the results of the visit,” the Ambassador said, adding that Governor Wang’s visit—the first high-level exchange since the Chief Adviser’s visit—demonstrates China’s commitment to actions. He said they will take this as an opportunity, continue to enhance our political mutual trust and further consolidate personnel and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. At the new stage, the Ambassador said, they will continue to uphold the people-centered approach in our cooperation, tapping growth potential and forging new highlights. Education and public health are important for the country's development and people's happiness, he said, adding that they are also their cooperation priorities in the next steps.

Mexico’s candidate for Director-General of UNESCO (2025–2029) Gabriela Ramos Patina on Sunday met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and praised Bangladesh’s progress in education, culture and inclusive development. “Bangladesh has demonstrated how resilience, policy commitment and a focus on equity can drive meaningful change and UNESCO sees this country not just as a member, but as a partner with real promise,” she said during the courtesy meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna. Mexican non-resident Ambassador to Bangladesh Federico Salas and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting. Patina acknowledged Prof Yunus’ leadership during a critical transition. “Your appointment carries great hope—not only for Bangladesh but also for those who believe in transparent, principled governance.” Dhaka, Beijing call for transforming high-level talks into actionable projects The Chief Adviser welcomed Patina’s visit and candidacy, saying, “We are in the midst of a difficult but essential transformation. The stakes are high, but we are committed to restoring people’s trust and building institutions that serve them.” Prof Yunus noted that the recent BIDA Investment Summit marked a shift in investor confidence. “It was not just a conference; it was a signal that Bangladesh is open, reforming and serious about responsible growth.” Both sides reflected on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Mexico, noting that the milestone opens new avenues for cooperation in education, cultural heritage and climate resilience, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

Bangladesh and China on Sunday expressed a shared commitment to transforming recent high-level discussions into actionable projects across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, trade, healthcare, education and culture. “Our top priority now is to move forward with the plans we discussed during the China visit,” Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met at the State Guest House Jamuna to review the outcomes of his (Dr Yunus) recent visit to China and outline next steps for accelerating Bangladesh-China cooperation. “We want to make sure the momentum is not lost,” Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir quoted the Chief Adviser as saying. The Chinese Ambassador echoed the Chief Adviser’s sentiment, saying, “This is also our top priority. We had one of the highest-level agenda meetings in China, and we do not want to wait another two to three years just to sign agreements—we want to implement them quickly.” One of the topics discussed was the development of the Mongla and Anowara economic zones. BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun informed that preparations are underway and, once completed, the zones will be handed over to developers to begin implementation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to launching a long-term, 50-year master plan on water management, including work on the Teesta River system. French Ambassador Masdupuy welcomes Rani Yan to Embassy The two sides also discussed a plan to procure four new vessels from China, with the Chinese side assuring that the process would be completed by June this year. The Chinese Ambassador also said that China’s Commerce Minister will visit Bangladesh soon, accompanied by a 100-member delegation of investors aiming to explore new investment opportunities. “We will organise a mini investment summit focused on Chinese investors to strengthen sector-specific collaboration,” said BIDA Chairman Ashik. Healthcare cooperation featured prominently in the discussion. The Chinese side reaffirmed their commitment to building a 1,000-bed hospital in Bangladesh, as initially proposed during the China visit. They also highlighted ongoing support in establishing a specialised burn unit in Chittagong. The Chinese Ambassador informed that progress is being made to launch a direct Kunming–Chittagong flight, and efforts are underway to expedite medical visas for Bangladeshi patients. The Chief Adviser stressed the importance of cultural exchange, proposing the establishment of a Chinese Cultural Centre and Language Institute to allow young Bangladeshis to engage more closely with Chinese language and culture. The Chief Adviser also raised the possibility of expanding jute exports to China and urged greater Chinese investment in the locomotive sector. He proposed setting up locomotive manufacturing and maintenance hubs in both Chattogram and Syedpur, alongside capacity-building workshops and training programmes. Agricultural trade was another area of progress. Bangladesh will begin exporting mangoes to China this season, with jackfruit exports scheduled for next year. “I’ll send a basket of fresh mangoes to President Xi myself,” said Chief Adviser Dr Yunus. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalliur Rahman, BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Special Assistant Faiz Taieb, Cabinet Secretary SiraZ Uuddin Miah and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.

Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy on Sunday welcomed the Queen of the Chakma people and the Chakma circle in Bangladesh Rani Yan Yan to the Embassy.

Dhaka, April 20 (UNB) – Reaffirming Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to international peacekeeping and security efforts, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday urged the United Nations to hire more women peacekeepers from Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser made the call when UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met him at the State Guest House Jamuna. “One thing that I encourage is the participation of more Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions,” said Dr Yunus during the meeting when issues with regard to UN peacekeeping were discussed elaborately. The Chief Adviser expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to deploy additional troops and police when required, underscoring Bangladesh’s pledge of five units at the Rapid Deployment Level in the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS). He also advocated for increased Bangladeshi representation in UN peacekeeping leadership at both headquarters and field levels. The UN official said they would also support Bangladesh in this regard. Bangladesh consistently ranks among the top three troop/police-contributing countries (TPCCs), with 5,677 peacekeepers across 10 of the 11 active missions. The UN Under-Secretary-General highlighted the UN policy of engaging more women in peacekeeping, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing after the meeting. “We don’t want to confine women in specific roles,” he said, adding that the UN would support recruiting women in all aspects of peacekeeping. The Chief Adviser affirmed that Bangladesh strictly complies with the UN vetting for peacekeepers and welcomed further collaboration with the UN and other bodies on training and accountability to strengthen human rights compliance. Dr Yunus was told that a Bangladeshi delegation led by the Foreign Adviser would join the UN peacekeeping ministerial conference to be held in Berlin, Germany, from May 13 to 14 this year. The Chief Adviser also expressed concern over ongoing conflict in Myanmar and cross-border firing incidents, civilian casualties, and livelihood disruptions near the Naf River, which acts as a border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. He warned that continued instability could escalate, creating instability and security risks. Dr Yunus sought concerted international engagement to resolve the Rohingya crisis. The Chief Adviser recalled the recent visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Rohingya camps in Southeast Bangladesh, saying that his visit gave Rohingyas renewed hope for a safe and dignified repatriation to Myanmar.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi has said Japan will continue to support resolving the Rohingya issue, including funding assistance and cooperation with the government and relevant agencies. “I understand the current situation in the camps impacted by the reduction of international support,” he said on Sunday commenting on his recent visit to the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar. Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field recently, Ambassador Saida said he saw how the aid funds provided by the Japanese government were being maximised in the refugee camps through the Bangladesh government, UN agencies, and NGOs. As the crisis is turning into its eighth year, Japan said it is essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world. Bangladesh, China pledge enhanced cooperation linking Yunnan, Chattogram Since the large influx in August 2017, Japan has contributed over 250 million USD to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organisations and NGOs. This assistance included food, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday. Besides,  in September, the government of Japan decided to provide the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with assistance worth USD 1 million in response to the Flash Floods in northern and southeastern Bangladesh, including the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar. No govt-sponsored systematic discrimination against minorities in Bangladesh: Shafiqul Alam  “I am honoured to attend the inauguration of the JICA project, and I hope this new opening will improve living conditions of host communities,” said the Japanese Ambassador, stressing that Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue. Ambassador Saida visited the registration centre, food distribution centre, learning centre and teachers training centre, livelihoods skills development and production centre, innovation valley, women-led community centre, and community initiative society project site, and attended the inauguration ceremony of the JICA’s improvement of fish landing center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox's Bazar district project. He had meetings with the Refugee Relief & Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and the Armed Police Battalion (APBN).