Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh ranks 141 out of 164 on the Freedom Index
Strengthening basic freedoms accelerates economic growth over the long term, a US-based think tank’s data shows.
In Bangladesh, the data shows that the report’s Freedom Index, which includes political, economic, and legal components, has been declining for 22 consecutive years.
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Bangladesh ranks 141 out of 164 on the Freedom Index, according to the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s ranking of 141 on the Freedom Index places it within the "mostly unfree" category, said the US Embassy, adding that its ranking of 99 out of 164 on the Prosperity Index, categorizes it as "mostly unprosperous."
US Embassy Dhaka’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Asia Foundation jointly organised a “Prosperity and Good Governance Conference” on Tuesday to share findings from the Atlantic Council’s new global Freedom and Prosperity Report.
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“Every country grapples with issues like corruption and securing economic and political rights. The key lies not in avoiding problems, but in actively acknowledging and tackling them,” said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas speaking at the event.
The Prosperity and Good Governance Conference brought together representatives from government, civil society, business, donors, academia, and think tanks.
Joseph Lemoine, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center, was the keynote speaker.
Lemoine highlighted key findings from the report, which measures and ranks countries’ democratic and governance indicators in its Freedom Index, as well as its Prosperity Index that measures a nations’ economic well-being.
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The Freedom and Prosperity Indexes are two separate indexes that rank 164 countries around the world according to their levels of freedom and prosperity.
“The data shows that countries with greater freedom tend to enjoy higher levels of prosperity, while those with less freedom tend to have lower levels of prosperity. Countries that promote political and economic freedoms, along with strong legal systems, create an environment that's more welcoming to foreign investors”, said Lemoine during his keynote presentation. Freer countries receive significantly more foreign direct investment than those with less freedom.
Overall, the Freedom Index suggests that a strong commitment to freedom is key to attracting foreign investment.
Bangladesh, a nation born from a fight for democracy, has set its sights firmly on the future, according to the report.
Its ambitious Vision 2041 agenda outlines a strategic course toward a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by the year 2041.
This plan, which emphasizes economic growth alongside social progress, underscores the nation’s commitment to empowering its citizens and solidifying its democratic foundation, says the report.
BIMSTEC Secretary General visits Sri Lanka; briefs its President on expectations from 6th Summit
Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Indra Mani Pandey has undertaken an official visit to Sri Lanka recently.
This was his first official visit to Sri Lanka since taking charge as Secretary General on 4 January this year.
During the visit, the secretary general called on Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka, M.U.M. Ali Sabry, PC., MP., Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, and Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health of Sri Lanka, said the BIMSTEC headquarters on Monday.
He also held meetings with the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aruni Wijewardane; Secretary to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr Palitha Maheepala; and the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Thilaka Jayasundara.
During his call on President Wickremesinghe, the Secretary General briefed the President on the state of progress in BIMSTEC since the 5th Summit that was held in Colombo in March 2022, and the expectations from the 6th Summit that is to be held in Bangkok.
President Wickremesinghe reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to BIMSTEC and shared Sri Lanka’s priorities for regional cooperation.
Recalling his participation in the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in Bangkok in July 2023, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry stressed the importance of holding frequent and regular meetings at all levels of BIMSTEC to sustain momentum and ensure BIMSTEC’s success so that the people of the Bay of Bengal region are able to reap the benefits of regional cooperation.
The secretary general’s meeting with the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake, was in the context of Sri Lanka being the lead member State in BIMSTEC for Human Resource Development.
They held detailed discussion on taking forward the BIMSTEC Human Resource Development agenda including the scheduling of the first meeting of the BIMSTEC Expert Group on Human Resource Development (HRD) that will consider the draft BIMSTEC Plan of Action on HRD.
The meeting with the Minister of Health and the Secretary to the Ministry of Health involved detailed discussions on the way forward on the BIMSTEC Health agenda, in the context of Sri Lanka being the lead member State for cooperation in health in BIMSTEC, including convening of the first meeting of BIMSTEC Health Ministers.
The meeting with the Secretary to the Ministry of Education involved discussions on the setting up of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka for which the Memorandum of Association was signed during the 5th BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo in 2022, as well as convening of the first meeting of its Governing Board.
Apart from official meetings, the secretary general participated in a public interactive event organised by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) on the theme ‘Regional Cooperation through BIMSTEC’, and in two roundtable sessions organised by the Advocata Institute and the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS).
These events enabled him to interact with a range of officials, experts, academics, thought leaders, researchers, and students, and listen to their views and ideas on regional cooperation.
It also provided him an opportunity to brief a wide range of persons on pursuit of regional cooperation through BIMSTEC in Bay of Bengal Region.
The secretary general’s engagements with media in Sri Lanka included an interview with The Sunday Morning newspaper and a TV interview on the programme ‘At Hyde Park’ on Ada Derana.
Dhaka seeks peace, effective steps to de-escalate Iran-Israel tension: Foreign Minister
Bangladesh wants to see an effective role from those countries that are supposed to play an effective role in de-escalating the Iran-Israel tension.
Bangladesh also wants to see killings in Gaza are stopped.
"Bangladesh is in favour of peace, not for war," said Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday evening at the state guest house Padma.
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The people of the Middle East are facing a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict, António Guterres said on Sunday, urging “maximum restraint” across a region “on the brink”, hours after Iran launched attack drones and missiles against Israel overnight Saturday.
“It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East...Now is the time for maximum restraint,” the UN Secretary-General told delegates at the opening of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
FM Hasan said because Israel attacked the Iranian embassy in Syria, Iran got the opportunity to attack. "Otherwise it would not have happened. Iran has 'retaliated' - that is what Iran says."
"We hope that all the countries that are supposed to play a role will immediately take effective measures to resolve the Iran-Israel tension and stop the indiscriminate killing of people in Gaza. We are never for war, we are for peace," he said.
The foreign minister wished the journalists present there on Bengali New Year.
Responding to a question on Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah, the foreign minister said that the hostage sailors and the ship were safely rescued due to the all-out efforts of the government and those concerned.
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Earlier, he had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda E. P. Chet Greene who is now on a five-day official visit to Bangladesh.
They discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen ties in the coming days.
Expatriate Bangladeshis urged to represent cultural heritage of Bangladesh abroad
Bangladesh Ambassador in Lisbon Rezina Ahmed has urged the expatriate Bangladesh community to represent the country's cultural heritage abroad.
The ambassador, while celebrating Pahela Baisakh, called upon the members of the Bangladesh community to carry the spirit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rabindranth, Nazrul, Lalon and more importantly good name of the country.
She said that Pahela Baishakh, or Bengali New Year, is one of the colorful and significant cultural festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm and vibrant mood across the country and abroad.
It marks the first day of the Bengali first month, 'Baishakh' of the Bengali Solar Calendar.
"On this day, Bangalees bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year. It is a day of our celebration regardless of class, gender or religion. Pahela Baishakh embodies the start of new things. This secular festival rejuvenates us with the light of new hope," said the envoy.
Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon celebrated “Pahela Baishakh” with great festivity and fervour. On this occasion, the chancery was decorated with beautifully drawn alpona (traditional graffiti), motifs, balloons, festoons, posters, flowers to showcase the Bengali culture which turned the embassy into a piece of Bangladesh.
About 200 Bangladeshi expatriates, diplomats from different Missions, dignitaries from host countries, representatives from the local government, foreign students, media activists, journalists and guests attended the programme, according to a message received here from the embassy.
All the members of the Mission, expatriate Bangladeshis participated the celebration of Pahela boishakh in traditional colorful attire.
The programme of the day began with the traditional Mangal Shovajatra (New Year Peace Rally) in which both expatriate Bangladesh community and foreign dignitaries took part with enthusiasm.
All the participants in the rally expressed their determination to make a peaceful and prosperous world free from wars and violence.
Later, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries were invited on the stage to address the audience saying ‘Shuvo Noboborsho’ in Bangla and in their own language.
The audience witnessed a colourful cultural show staged by the expatriate Bangladeshi artists.
The expatriate artists performed several dances and singers sang few songs.
The audience was enthralled by the brilliant dance performances and song renditions. Apart from that, many expatriates set up stalls displaying the traditional Bangladeshi cloths, handicrafts, Jamdhani and Monipuri Sarees and a wide range of traditional Bangladeshi foods including Panta Ilish.
Foreign guests and Bangladeshi expatriates expressed their happiness for organising such a colourful festival and enjoyed a day full of dance, music and food.
Pahela Baishakh revitalises a sense of patriotism, Bengali identity worldwide: Envoy in Canada
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Canada Khalilur Rahman has said Mangal Shovajatra promotes pluralism and secularism, fostering an environment of coexistence regardless of the differences of religions, castes or creeds.
Celebrating Pahela Baisakh at the mission, he underscored the festival's role as an antidote against religious extremism and intolerance, promoting unity and tolerance over division.
Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo celebrates Pahela Baishakh
The envoy noted that Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, revitalizss a sense of patriotism and Bengali identity worldwide and energises the Bengali nation.
Khalilur Rahman said that Pahela Baishakh has evolved into a symbol of the non-communal Bengali tradition.
He highlighted the significance of UNESCO's recognition of the Pahela Baishakh Mangal Shovajatra as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of mankind in 2016, attributing it to the diplomatic efforts of the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa, Canada celebrated Pahela Baisakh and the Bengali New Year-1431, with great enthusiasm and fervor.
A special event, chaired by the high commissioner, took place at the auditorium of the Bangladesh High Commission.
The event was attended by High Commission officials and members of the Bangladeshi community living in Canada.
At the beginning of the event, officers of the High Commission read out the messages by the President and Prime Minister on the occasion of Pahela Baisakh and Bengali New Year-1431.
This was followed by the welcome address by the high commissioner.
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Following the high commissioner's address, attendees participated in a vibrant Mangal Shovajatra to celebrate Pahela Baisakh.
The event concluded with a cultural function featuring spontaneous performances by the Bangladeshi-Canadians.
Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo celebrates Pahela Baishakh
Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo organised a colourful programme on Sunday on the occasion of Bengali New Year 1431.
Embassy officials, their family members, and members of the Bangladeshi community in Japan participated in the event.
On the occasion of Bangla New Year, a 'Mangal Shovajatra' was brought out in the morning on the embassy premises.
At the end of the procession, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed wished the guests a Happy Bengali New Year.
In his welcome speech, the ambassador urged everyone to work to highlight the rich history, heritage, and culture of Bangladesh at home and abroad.
Later, a cultural function was organised in the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy with the participation of local Bangladeshi artists.
Bangladesh, Thailand nearing energy cooperation MOU: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Dhaka and Bangkok to increase energy cooperation is at an advanced stage.
“We hope the deal will be signed shortly. The cooperation in the energy sector will help increase the cooperation in the economic, industrial and social sector as well,” he told Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh, Makawadee Sumitmor, at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday.
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The Thai envoy expressed her country's interest in investing in deep sea oil and gas exploration and also supplying LNG.
She requested the state minister for facilitating in this regard during the Prime Minister's visit to Thailand.
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Nasrul Hamid welcomed the Thai Ambassador and said that Bangladesh will encourage all kinds of investment in the energy sector.
“We welcome the interest of Thailand's PTT Global LNG Company Ltd. We give preference to trading companies and production companies in LNG supply”, he said.
Brazilian foreign minister visits Beximco's sustainable industrial park
A Brazilian delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs Brazil Mauro Vieira accompanied by Sadia Faizunnesa, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Brazil visited Beximco’s Vertical Leeds Green Certified Industrial Park on Monday.
He took great interest in Beximco initiatives on sustainability, value addition and innovation using advanced technology, and original R&D as key drivers.
Brazilian Foreign Minister was very much impressed to see the production facilities and world latest machineries & technologies used by Beximco’s fully vertical state of the art Textiles, Garment Manufacturing, and World Largest Sustainable Washing Plant, reads a press release.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister took keen interest in Beximco`s disruptive technology initiatives in Genome/DNA Sequencing, Zero Carbon Bio Fuels, Track and Trace technology and traceability using Block Chain Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Discussions were held on best ways to increase consumption of Brazilian Cotton in Bangladesh and export of RMG to Brazil.
Many areas were defined for lucrative collaboration between Bangladesh and Brazil.
Brazil thankful for Bangladesh’s substantive contribution to G20 discussions: Visiting Foreign Minister
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on Monday said global challenges are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism, reforms and international cooperation.
“In that spirit, Brazil’s G20 Presidency believes that the group should work towards a United Nations that is more effective in its purposes, while tackling main inequalities in its decision-making processes,” he said while delivering a lecture at Foreign Service Academy on priorities for the Brazilian presidency.
“We are thankful for the substantive contribution that Bangladesh has been providing to G20 discussions,”he said.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, among others, spoke at the programme.
The visiting Foreign Minister said the international community has already proven its ability to adapt and evolve the structures of global governance in various areas.
“The G20 itself, for instance, which was consolidated in the immediate aftermath of a global financial crisis, has proven to be a valuable framework for addressing new challenges in many areas. The time has come for the G20 to make its own contribution by creating appropriate conditions for a serious discussion on the current global governance structures,” he said.
As one of the global fora best placed to foster the solutions the world needs, Vieira said, the G20 can be an invaluable tool to garner further support for the necessary and overdue reform of multilateral governance.
In 52 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, this is the first time that a Brazilian Foreign Minister is visiting Bangladesh.
“My presence in Dhaka is a testimony to the importance we attach to our relations with Bangladesh, which have grown considerably in many areas, in tandem with the extraordinary economic leapfrog that Bangladesh has been enduring in recent years,” said the Brazilian Minister.
Brazil took over from India the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2023. Under the leadership of President Lula, Brazil is proud to be the third in a sequence of four developing countries presiding over the group since 2022 (Indonesia, India, Brazil and, next year, South Africa).
In terms of priorities, Brazil has placed the topic of inequality, in all its dimensions, at the center of the G20’s agenda.
Under the motto “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”, President Lula defined the following three general priorities for Brazil’s G20 Presidency: (1) social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty; (2) energy transitions and the promotion of sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions; and (3) reform of global governance institutions.
Vieira said geopolitical tensions have recently amplified long-standing challenges. “Persistent hunger, poverty and inequality; armed conflicts with catastrophic humanitarian consequences; widespread setbacks in living standards; global inflation and debt vulnerabilities; high volatility in food and energy prices; and the climate crisis are among them.”
“While these crises affect us all, they do not affect us equally. Developing countries are the ones that bear the brunt of them. Even within countries, it is the poorest that always suffer the most,” he added.
Brazil believes that the G20 is one the forum that is particularly well placed to foster collective solutions for global challenges.
“Due to its combined share of the world’s population and GDP, as well as its diverse membership, the group has a unique and influential role to play in shaping a global agenda for a more equitable and sustainable future,” he said.
To fulfil that expectation, Brazil believes that the G20 must set ambitious goals and unlock the full potential of multilateral cooperation, he added.
Brazil believes that the G20 should explore the role of economy-wide platforms and a renewed engagement of the financial sector to achieve common goals under the United Nations Framework Agreement on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed that the world faces a climate emergency.
Vieira said humanity has only until the end of this decade to prevent the global temperature from rising beyond 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels, an outcome that would bear unacceptable risks to future generations, the ecosystems and infrastructure.
Without deep and extensive transformations in the way economies are structured and financial resources are mobilized and managed, humanity will struggle to adequately respond to the dangerous threats of climate change, he said.
By bringing together the world’s largest economies, which account for 3/4 of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the G20 can be a catalyst for partnerships, high-level coordination and new policy consensus, the Brazilian Foreign Minister said.
Earlier today, he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban.
"I was delighted to hear from her the high esteem she has for Brazil and for President Lula, which is reciprocal," said the Brazilian Foreign Minister.
Considering the similarities between President Lula and Prime Minister Hasina’s world views, policies and priorities, in particular their quest for development and social justice, conditions are set for the bilateral relations to upscale, he added.
Bangladesh Film Archive, Getty Images sign MoU to preserve footages on Liberation War, Bangabandhu
Bangladesh Film Archive under the Information Ministry and Getty Images, a visual media company of the United States, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collect and preserve footages on the Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The MoU was signed on Friday at the Getty Images office in New York, said a media release of the ministry on Monday.
Dr Md Mofakkharul Iqbal, director of the project on “Collection and preservation of audio visual documents of the Liberation War from local and foreign sources and capacity building of Bangladesh Film Archive” and Arran Birchenough, Asia Pacific director (Tv and sales) of Getty Images, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Information Humayun Kabir Khandaker, officials from Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC and Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York were present.
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After the declaration of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the first hour of March 26, 1971, the news was circulated in different media of the world.
During the long nine months of the Liberation War, various international media published various pictures and news on the war.
Through this MoU, Getty Images will assist Bangladesh Film Archive in collecting and preserving these priceless documents, said the release.