United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said the Election Commission is now carrying out the election preparation tasks that are necessary and possible within its jurisdiction. "We're working on those things that we think are within our authority and necessary or possible before the election," he said replying to a question whether the Election Commission would wait for the decisions of the National Consensus Commission over the electoral reform recommendations. The CEC was talking to reporters after a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle at his office in the capital. Nasir Uddin said the Consensus Commission would decide on the political issues and the matters that involve politics. They would know the decisions of the Consensus Commission later, but now the Election Commission is working on the issues that are emergency and possible right now, he added. About the meeting, the CEC said the Australian High Commissioner assured that all possible necessary supports to the Election Commission ahead of the next general election. "They said that they are ready to support us and the Election Commission as per our request... She assured us all possible necessary supports to the Election Commission," he said. Want to be world’s top manufacturing country: Prof Yunus Nasir Uddin said the envoy wanted to know EC's preparation for the next parliamentary election and the overall reform activities. "I informed her details," said the CEC. The Australian High Commissioner said they continue to support the Election Commission's efforts for free and fair elections. "Bangladesh is going through as a way towards open, free and fair elections stadia...We continue to work with you as specific hand to support your efforts," she said. Susan Ryle described her discussion with the CEC as a very productive meeting.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer and a large group of well-wishers have farewelled the Men’s National Cricket Team before they departed to compete in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2022 in Australia. Speaking at the event at his residence on Thursday, the high commissioner reflected on Australians’ and Bangladeshis’ mutual love of cricket. He said it was fitting the Bangladesh team was visiting Australia during the year-long celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Read: Bangladesh a country with international outlook: Australian envoy

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said Australia and Bangladesh will work together to combat climate change. “Australia's support to Bangladesh in the field of low carbon technology transfer, renewable energy, clean energy, climate adaptation and mitigation activities will continue,” he said. Jeremy Bruer said this in a meeting at the Environment Ministry on Tuesday between Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin and an Australian delegation led by the High Commissioner. Also read: COP26 president-designate visited Bangladesh to see climate crisis firsthand The High Commissioner appreciated various initiatives taken by Bangladesh to fight climate change, according to an official release.Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md. Mustafa Kamal, Additional Secretary (Admin) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Development) Ahmad Shamim Al Razi, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik were also present in the meeting. Also read: 'Turn pledges into action': Hasina's clarion call to combat climate change The Environment Minister said that as the President of CVF and V20, Bangladesh is playing an important role in international arena to tackle climate change. He said Bangladesh submitted enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and announced Mujib Climate Prospect Plan and the work of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is underway. The Environment Minister expressed hope that the world leaders will reach the consensus of providing 100 billion US dollars for climate vulnerable countries.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government has been able to successfully face the Covid-19 pandemic with united efforts of all sectors and the situation is now under control.

Outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Julia Niblett on Sunday called on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.

Bangladesh has sought support from the Australian government to expedite the repatriation process of Rohingyas to Myanmar from Bangladesh.