Foreign-Affairs
India's chief of Defense Staff has courtesy conversation with Bangladesh Army chief over phone
Indian chief of Defence Staff had a courtesy conversation with the Bangladesh Army chief over the phone on Thursday night.
This is the first time that General Anil Chauhan had a courtesy conversation with Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed after taking charge as India's chief of Defence Staff, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate said.
During the conversation, they hoped for more training cooperation between the armies of the two friendly countries.
Also, the Bangladesh Army chief invited India's chief of Defence Staff to visit Bangladesh.
The conversation is expected to boost relations between the armies of the countries, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate said.
Read more: Bangladesh, India sign first contract under US$500 million defence LoC
Senior US official Fotovat to discuss women, peace, security issues in Bangladesh
Senior official to the US Secretary of State in the office of "Global Women's Issues" Kat Fotovat will begin her four-day Bangladesh visit on January 20.
Fotovat will participate in the 10th Commencement Ceremony of the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram from January 21 to 22. She will deliver remarks and meet with students and faculties.
On January 23, Fotovat will engage with members of government and civil society in Dhaka to discuss women, peace, and security issues in Bangladesh and the region, according to the office of the Spokesperson at the US Department of State.
She will participate in an inauguration event for the Reducing Child Marriage – Skills Training for Advancing Resources project, a partnership between the US Embassy and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC).
This programme will provide vocational training for 14-18-year-old girls and young women – especially those most at risk of a child, early, and forced marriage – from the most climate-vulnerable localities.
Since 2017, the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI) has supported scholarships for young women from conflict zones in Asia and the Middle East to attend university at AUW.
With S/GWI support, AUW aims to produce the next generation of women leaders for Asia and the Middle East by providing a high-quality education to women of great potential who would otherwise have few opportunities. Programming includes opportunities for training in leadership, human rights, and organisational and financial management, as well as practical internship experiences.
Recently, through the Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund (GEEA) Fund, S/GWI and the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor have provided additional resources for an AUW scholarship programme for 104 young Afghan women who otherwise would not be able to pursue higher education due to the Taliban's edicts closing secondary schools and universities to women.
In support of the recently launched US Strategy on Global Women's Economic Security, the GEEA fund, managed by the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Hub and implemented by USAID and the Department of State, advances economic security for women and girls by increasing their access to resources, services, and leadership opportunities and by addressing the barriers that limit their ability to participate fully in the economy.
Read more: US Official: Free, fair elections “must include a level playing field for all”
Fotovat leads a team of gender experts promoting gender equality efforts including support of women, peace, and security, countering violent extremism, promoting women's economic empowerment, and combating gender-based violence.
She has over 20 years of experience advocating gender and human rights globally, specifically in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Read more: 'Frequent visits' by US officials a good development: Foreign Minister
New prog “Welcome Corps” launched enabling Americans to sponsor refugees
The US Department of State, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, has launched the Welcome Corps, a new private sponsorship program that will enable Americans to sponsor refugees arriving through the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), directly support their resettlement, and make a difference by welcoming these new neighbors into their communities.
This program invites Americans to be partners and guides to refugees as they build new lives in the United States and help them realize their full potential.
“In the face of unprecedented global displacement, the United States will continue to lead the international community in humanitarian response, including refugee resettlement,” said US Department of State Antony J. Blinken on Thursday.
Read more: Laubacher's visit underscores US commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh: US Embassy
By launching the Welcome Corps, he said, they build on a proud tradition of providing refuge and demonstrate the spirit and generosity of the American people as we commit to welcoming refugees in need of their support.
“In the program’s first year, our goal is to mobilize at least 10,000 Americans to step forward as private sponsors and offer a welcoming hand to at least 5,000 refugees from around the world,” Blinken said.
The Welcome Corps will build on the “extraordinary response” of the American people over the past year in welcoming our Afghan allies, Ukrainians displaced by war, Venezuelans, and others fleeing violence and oppression.
Read more: Human rights are at the center of US foreign policy: US Embassy
The Welcome Corps is the boldest innovation in refugee resettlement in four decades and it is designed to strengthen and expand the capacity of the USRAP by harnessing the energy and talents of Americans from all walks of life desiring to serve as private sponsors – ranging from members of faith and civic groups, veterans, diaspora communities, businesses, colleges and universities, and more.
Will continue to work toward resolution of Rohingya issue: Japan
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori had his first official visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar reiterating that Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue.
Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field, Ambassador Iwama said this is his first visit to the Rohingya camps, and he could see the current situation with his own eyes.
Read more: Over 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 2022
Indo-Pacific: France eyes closer cooperation with Bangladesh
France wants to enhance cooperation with Bangladesh and will have “ever closer” cooperation with countries of the Indo-Pacific, “significantly with Bangladesh” to address major challenges in terms of climate change and security, says a visiting senior French official.
“It gives us a golden opportunity to review the common works we pursue together, decide new projects and initiatives across the board,” Bertrand Lortholary, Director for Asian Affairs (General Political Directorate) at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs told reporters on Thursday.
France and Bangladesh share the same vision for a “free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive” Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and with shared prosperity for all.
Responding to a question, Lortholary said there is a lot the two countries can do and military to military cooperation is part of that defence and security cooperation.
“When we talk about security, we also talk about the security of maritime transport, traffic of goods on the oceans, and tackle together illegal fishing. We are also talking about the peacekeeping operations where Bangladesh has a prominent position,” he said.
Read more: France lauds Bangladesh's steady, outstanding development
Earlier, the French official had a political consultation with the Bangladesh side led by Director General (West Europe and EU) Kazi Russel Pervez and discussed issues of mutual interest including economic cooperation , people to people exchanges, connectivity, scientific cooperation and issues related to climate change.
Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy, Deputy Head of Mission Guillaume Audren de Kerdrel and Deputy Director, French Development Agency (FDA) Cecilia Cortese were also present at the meeting.
“We are enjoying a thriving relationship. We have a very solid foundation,” said the French official, referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s state visit to France in November 2021.
During Hasina’s state visit, the two countries stated their will to further develop the defence and security component of their partnership.
To that end, both countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and continue their cooperation, in particular the area of training, which was launched during the visit.
Read more: France keen to work together with Bangladesh for economic, social benefits
The two countries will be holding the second consultation in Paris next year.
Bangladesh on right track to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2035: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday laid emphasis on stronger partnership and collaborations, noting that Bangladesh is moving towards the right direction to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.
“We have potential to become an international business and manufacturing hub and it is time we start creating narratives which would allow Bangladesh platforms to become global incubators for innovation and entrepreneurship,” he told a luncheon meeting
Momen said Bangladesh will have to address the challenges and it is important to have stronger partnership and collaborations.
Read more: We want fair, credible election: Momen tells Donald Lu
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) hosted the networking luncheon at a hotel in Dhaka.
FBCCI will be organizing “Bangladesh Business Summit 2023” from March 11-13 to celebrate the 50 years of establishment of this apex trade body.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi spoke as a special guest. FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin, among others, spoke at the event.
Speaking as the chief guest, Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina followed Bangabandhu’s footsteps and established Bangladesh as a “vibrant economy” and a “land of opportunity” today.
In fact, he said, PM Hasina has launched a new vision for today’s world - ensuring food, clothing, shelter, education, health services, welfare of the people and right to vote by maintaining friendship, peace and stability with all.
“I call this philosophy “Hasinanomics,” Momen said, adding that she introduced four driving forces to achieve Hasinanomics - digital Bangladesh, innovation and creativity development; entrepreneurship and individual Initiative and free market liberal enterprise. As a result, our economy stands on a solid foundation.
Read more: Dhaka studying US Indo-Pacific Strategy: Momen
The foreign minister said they are working with their best possible calculations to stabilize their production ecosystems and keep trade and investment flowing.
“Bangladesh is doing what the prime minister very correctly described as ‘striking a balance between life and livelihood’ and making Bangladesh a hub of connectivity, as connectivity is productivity,” Momen said.
He remains optimistic that the event will help them reach out to international business communities and uphold their efforts in strengthening their global connections for finding win-win paradigms for the economic prospect of Bangladesh.
Under the leadership of the prime minister, Momen said, Bangladesh has become a middle income country and is making “robust strides” to become a developed one by 2041.
Recent IMF data shows that in terms of nominal GDP, Bangladesh’s economy is the 35th largest economy, he said, adding that, “This is a big achievement for us.”
'Introduction of Bangladesh to Italian students to help boost Dhaka, Rome ties'
The Bangladesh mission in Rome recently made a presentation at the Liceo Galileo Galilei School at Macomer in Italy's Sardinia as a part of the First Step (Meet the School) of Embassy Adoption Programme.
Thanking the Bangladesh embassy for introducing the country to the Italian students, Giancarlo Dionisi, prefect of Macomer, and Antonio Onorato Succu, mayor of Macomer, said the initiative would help create greater understanding and bondage between the two friendly countries.
The embassy has been participating in the Diplomacy Education Programme coordinated by Global Action, Italy, since 2021. But this is the first time the mission joined it in person at the adopted school outside Rome.
At the programme, Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Shameem Ahsan briefed the young learners about the country, its history, Liberation War, culture, economy and achievements.
The programme is a part of the Bangladesh embassy's ongoing public diplomacy drive to project and brand the country positively to the wider audience in Italy.
Read more: Dhaka, Rome eye stronger economic partnership
Ambassador Whiteley: EuroCham to boost business ties with Bangladesh; facilitate transition to GSP+
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday said the time has come for moving ahead with a European Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham) to promote trade and investment and help ensure a smooth transition to GSP+ era.
"GSP plus is not an easy ticket," he said during at a function at his residence, marking the "soft launch" of the EuroCham to boost Bangladesh-EU business ties.
The EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) gives developing countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance.
Eligible countries have to implement international conventions on human rights, labour rights, the environment and good governance.
There are some quite stringent requirements for GSP Plus accession and Bangladesh has already ratified the 32 conventions that are now required for GSP Plus membership.
Bangladesh's graduation from LDC status in 2026 would also mean graduation from the current Everything but Arms (EBA) unilateral trade preference given to Bangladesh by the EU, Bangladesh's largest export destination. There will be a three years transition period.
"Our focus is now ensuring a swift transition. I think EuroCham will really be helpful," said Ambassador Whiteley.
The EU sees huge potential as Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and is predicted to be among the top 30 largest economies by 2036.
Read more: EU keen to send observers for upcoming general election in Bangladesh: Envoy
"It (EuroCham) should be business driven and business interests are reflected in it," said the EU ambassador, emphasising that the chamber will lobby for European business interests and the removal of barriers to trade and investment.
The EU envoy said the EuroCham is not here to compete with the existing chambers but to complement the existing bilateral chambers of commerce. "It is an idea to help address problems and will forge links between Bangladesh and European businesses."
Why EuroCham now?
The EU said there is a well-established relationship with business potential. The EU is Bangladesh's largest trading partner and there is keen interest from European companies to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
The EU embassy says there are numerous EuroChams around the world with a proven record of supporting EU business.
The EuroCham will assist businesses in navigating European and Bangladesh legislation, including in rapidly evolving areas such as due diligence and the green economy, said the EU embassy.
It will facilitate the transition to GSP+ from a business perspective and bring critical thinking and analysis to bear on key business challenges, stimulating interest in existing and potential business sectors.
Senior government officials, business leaders, EU Deputy Head of Mission Brend Spanier were present at the soft launching event.
US did not impose new sanctions as human rights situation has improved: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq said on Wednesday that the US did not impose any new sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the human rights situation has improved.
"Human Rights Watch does not write anything good about anyone. But they have written in their report that the human rights condition has improved in Bangladesh. Donald Lu has said that they would have imposed more sanctions against RAB, but did not do so as Bangladesh's human rights situation has improved," he told reporters at the secretariat after meeting with Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md. Hashim.
“We (the US) have seen RAB has done much good. We also understand the necessity of RAB. Since human rights situation has significantly improved, we have not imposed new sanctions. He (Lu) has told me so very clearly,” the law minister said, quoting the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu. Lu visited Bangladesh recently.
In response to a question, the law minister said that he did not ask Lu for lifting the existing sanctions against RAB because it must be done in accordance with legal procedures.
Also Read: Bangladesh's growing economy entices US to maintain good relations: FM
“We are following those procedures,” he added. "We will take action against RAB members if they commit crimes," Huq said of the elite force's reforms. “The reform process is ongoing; it takes time,” he added.
Huq also said that during his meeting with Lu, he demanded that Rashed Chowdhury, the fugitive convicted killer of Bangabandhu, be deported to Bangladesh.
“He asked me to contact their judiciary branch. I will knock every door to bring him back,” the minister said.
Lu arrived in Dhaka on Saturday evening to discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship, expanding economic engagement and to hear on labour and human rights.
During his brief stay in Dhaka, Lu met with senior Bangladeshi ministers and officials including the law minister and civil society leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Over 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 2022
More than 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 39 boats in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2022, according to the latest data from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
This represents a 360 per cent increase on the year before when some 700 people made similar journeys, said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Tuesday.
In the absence of a comprehensive regional response to address these perilous maritime movements, UNHCR warns that more people will die on the high seas, under the watch of many coastal States.
UNHCR has recorded an alarming rise in the death toll.
At least 348 individuals died or went missing at sea in 2022, making it one of the deadliest years since 2014.
Some 3,040 individuals who undertook the sea journey disembarked in 2022, primarily in Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Nearly 45 per cent of those who disembarked were women and children, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
In the last two months of 2022, four boats carrying over 450 Rohingya disembarked in Aceh, Indonesia.
One boat carrying over 100 Rohingya disembarked in Sri Lanka.
One boat is feared to have sunk in early December with approximately 180 individuals on board.
Several boats that departed in December remained at sea as of the end of the year.
Read more: Very limited spaces offered for Rohingya resettlement: UNHCR
Calls by UNHCR to maritime authorities in the region to rescue and disembark people in distress have gone unheeded with many boats adrift for weeks.
Most boats departed from Myanmar and Bangladesh, highlighting the growing sense of desperation amongst Rohingya in those two countries.
Those who have disembarked report that they undertook these dangerous sea journeys in an effort to find protection, security, family reunification, and livelihoods in other countries.
Among them are victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children, and survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence.
The current crisis in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea is a crisis of solidarity, UNHCR said.
The Bali Process, a forum for policy dialogue, information sharing and cooperation to address people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime, will hold its 8th Ministerial meeting in February.
Read more: Vulnerable Rohingyas: US to consider resettlement recommendations from UNHCR
UNHCR repeats its call for prompt search and rescue and timely disembarkation in a place of safety, and for support to countries where Rohingya refugees are disembarked.
"We call on countries to redouble efforts to prevent human smuggling and trafficking," said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
There is also a need for humanitarian responsibility to be more evenly distributed among countries in the region to ensure protection responses are predictable, equitable, and sustainable.
The region and the international community need to support efforts to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar. Until these are resolved, refugees will continue to undertake dangerous journeys in search of safety.