United News of Bangladesh

Israel has for the first time acknowledged the Gaza death toll compiled by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which estimates over 70,000 killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. Thousands more remain missing under rubble, and at least 440 people have died of starvation after Israel restricted aid access, reports Al Jazeera. During the conflict, Israel repeatedly denied or downplayed Palestinian figures, issuing its own fluctuating statistics while accusing Gaza authorities of exaggeration. Investigations and eyewitness reports, however, confirmed that a vast majority of those killed were civilians, including children and women. Israeli forces were also implicated in high-profile killings, such as five-year-old Hind Rajab, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and 15 emergency responders whose bodies were found in a mass grave in southern Gaza. In each case, Israel initially rejected responsibility, later attributing the deaths to operational errors, crossfire, or poor visibility. Experts say Israel’s acknowledgment is largely strategic. Sultan Barakat, a public policy professor, told Al Jazeera that international scrutiny, increased UN access, and ongoing rubble clearance made continued denial untenable. Accepting the figures allows Israel to preserve institutional credibility, signal seriousness to allies like the US and European countries, and prepare a legal record for potential future inquiries without admitting wrongdoing. This shift reflects a recurring pattern in Israel’s military operations, where denial and manipulation of casualty figures are followed by selective acceptance once evidence becomes indisputable. Analysts also note that delaying acknowledgment serves both diplomatic and legal purposes, allowing Israel to control messaging and limit accountability in international forums.  

Bangladesh has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the year 2026.  The election of the five-member bureau of the PBC was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday. The members of the Commission during its first meeting of the 20th session elected Morrocco as Chair while Germany, Brazil and Croatia and Bangladesh were elected as Vice-Chairs. The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. Bangladesh needs to target visa fraud as brokers exploit social media The Commission is composed of 31 member states, elected from the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the leading troops and financial contributing countries to the United Nations system.  Bangladesh has been a member of the Commission since its inception in 2005 and had earlier served the Commission as chair in 2012 and 2022 as vice-chair in 2013 and 2023. Bangladesh assumed charge today as Vice-Chair during the first PBC meeting of its 20th session after a brief ceremony. On this occasion, the President of the UN General Assembly and Chef de Cabinet, on behalf of the Secretary-General were present and delivered statements emphasizing the rule of the PBC.  UNDP to support Bangladesh’s capital market with thematic bond development In a statement, Bangladesh delegation thanked members of the Commission for reposing their trust and confidence in Bangladesh for this important responsibility and reiterated its commitment to the UN’s peacebuilding efforts and activities as well as its future plan of action.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the Rohingya crisis is still not receiving the global attention it deserves, despite the interim government’s efforts over the past year to spotlight the issue through a series of high-profile initiatives, including a visit by the UN Secretary-General to the camps during Ramadan. He said the prolonged stay of the Rohingyas in the camps could never be a solution, as it had already created tensions with host communities, and called for renewed international efforts to ensure repatriation. “The problem began in Myanmar, and the solution must also come from there. A frustrated and angry young generation is growing up in the camps, with access to technology. This is not good news for anyone. Our job is to make sure they return to their homeland in peace and dignity,” the Chief Adviser said.

President Donald Trump delivered a rare, nearly two-hour-long appearance at a White House press briefing on Tuesday, using the platform to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements, criticise the United Nations and double down on his push for the United States to take control of Greenland, a move that has drawn sharp resistance from America’s European allies. The extended briefing came on the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration and a day before he is scheduled to address global leaders, billionaires and policymakers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His trip comes at a time of rising tensions with NATO allies over his aggressive posture on Greenland and his threat to impose new retaliatory tariffs on several European countries. During the wide-ranging and often meandering session with reporters, Trump leafed through a thick packet of documents that he said listed hundreds of accomplishments from his first year back in office. He claimed his administration had achieved more than any previous government in a similar period and said it would take more than a week to read through the full list. At several points, Trump turned his focus to foreign policy, renewing his argument that the United States must take control of Greenland for national security reasons, citing concerns about growing strategic competition in the Arctic. While he struck a slightly more conciliatory tone near the end of the briefing, saying Washington and NATO would “work something out,” he repeated his view that U.S. control of the territory is necessary. Trump also took aim at the United Nations, saying the global body has failed to live up to its potential and has been ineffective in resolving conflicts. He promoted his idea of a Trump-led “Board of Peace,” initially conceived as a small group of world leaders to oversee the Gaza ceasefire plan, but now envisioned as a broader body that could help mediate international disputes. “The United Nations just hasn’t been very helpful,” Trump said, adding that while he believes the organisation should continue, his proposed board could one day play a major role in peacemaking efforts. The president’s remarks come as European leaders have warned that his threats to impose new tariffs on countries backing Denmark over Greenland could trigger a major trade dispute and strain long-standing trans-Atlantic ties. France and several other EU members have already signalled they are prepared to respond if Washington moves ahead with punitive measures. Trump said his speech in Davos on Wednesday would focus on what he called the “tremendous success” of his administration and would recap progress made over the past year. The White House has previously said his address would centre on his affordability agenda, particularly housing, in an effort to convince Americans that his policies can ease cost-of-living pressures. Speaking to reporters, Trump said other countries needed to hear his views on energy and immigration and suggested that his leadership had brought stability in several conflict zones, a claim that has been disputed by critics and fact-checkers. The marathon briefing, marked by frequent digressions and a mix of domestic and foreign policy topics, underscored Trump’s combative style and his willingness to use high-profile appearances to press his most controversial priorities. With European leaders already gathered in Davos and Greenland expected to dominate the agenda, Trump’s appearance at the forum is likely to be closely watched for signs of whether he will seek to defuse tensions or continue his hardline approach.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday said he is aware of the growing misinformation and offered the support of the UN human rights office to address what he described as a growing misinformation challenge. “There is a lot of misinformation. We will do whatever is needed,” Türk said, adding that the UN rights agency would work closely with Bangladesh to tackle the issue. The UN rights chief made the remarks as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus sought support from the United Nations human rights office to counter a surge of misinformation targeting the February 12 elections. “There has been a flood of misinformation surrounding the elections. It is coming from both foreign media and local sources,” Prof Yunus said during a telephone conversation with Volker Türk. “They have flooded social media with fake news, rumours and speculation. We are concerned about the impact this may have on the elections,” he added. During the conversation, the two leaders also discussed the upcoming referendum, the importance of institutional reforms, the work of the Enforced Disappearance Commission, the formation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the global geopolitical situation. High Commissioner Türk stressed the importance of establishing “a truly independent” National Human Rights Commission to carry forward the work related to enforced disappearances, according to Chief Adviser's press wing. In response, Prof Yunus said the NHRC ordinance has already been promulgated and that a new commission would be reconstituted ahead of the February 12 elections. “We will do it before we leave,” he said. The Chief Adviser said he had shared the final report of the Enforced Disappearance Commission with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, describing it as a crucial document that would go a long way toward ensuring accountability and justice for the victims of enforced disappearances during the autocratic regime from 2009 to 2024. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk praised the Chief Adviser’s efforts over the past year and a half. Conflicts in the Mideast and Ukraine will loom over Biden's farewell address at the United Nations He said his office had supported the work of the Enforced Disappearance Commission and would continue to do so. SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed was present during the conversation.  

A severe funding gap is threatening to undermine UN peacekeeping operations globally, with the Organization warning that delayed payments from Member States could force it to scale back patrols, close field offices, and repatriate thousands of ‘blue helmets.’ The crisis, which UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix described as “more daunting than ever,” stems from partial non-payment of assessed contributions—the mandatory dues Member States provide to fund UN operations in some of the world’s most volatile regions—which are currently well below the approved 2025-26 budget, according to UN. Addressing defence officials and diplomats at a peacekeeping conference in New Delhi this week, Lacroix said: “Unfortunately, we have no other option.” “Our peacekeepers, your peacekeepers, protect people – they make the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of civilians,” he added. Deep cuts across missions The UN Secretary-General has instructed all missions to identify expenditure reductions equal to 15 per cent of their annual budgets. Due to the compressed timeframe, this is expected to result in roughly a 25 per cent cut in both uniformed and civilian personnel. UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon staying put despite Israeli warnings to move Every key area of peacekeeping work will be affected, including patrols, protection duties, logistics, air operations, and civilian support functions. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) warned that fewer peacekeepers on the ground will mean fewer patrols to monitor ceasefires, fewer safe zones for civilians, and reduced humanitarian assistance in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights. Call for solidarity Lacroix urged all Member States to pay their contributions “in full and on time” and called for collective efforts to counter what he described as “campaigns that spread mis and disinformation about peacekeeping operations.”“We need your understanding and support, but we also need to work together to redress this situation,” he said. UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a similar appeal last week to troop- and police-contributing countries, stressing that without predictable, sufficient, and timely funding, peacekeeping cannot fulfil its Security Council mandates. Budget pressures The General Assembly approved a $5.38 billion peacekeeping budget for 2025-26 in July, slightly lower than the previous year’s $5.6 billion, covering missions and global support centres in Entebbe, Uganda, and Brindisi, Italy. However, its implementation depends on actual contributions received. UN Security Council voices 'strong concern' for UN peacekeepers after Israeli attacks Although peacekeeping accounts for less than half a per cent of global military spending—estimated at $2.7 trillion in 2024—it remains one of the UN’s most critical tools for maintaining international peace and security. “Some people ask why the peacekeeping missions are still needed,” Colin Stewart, former head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), told UN News shortly before retiring. “The answer is simple – it’s peaceful because the missions have been doing their job. Without it, the mistrust between the sides could easily spiral into confrontation.” A pivotal moment Since 1948, over two million blue helmets from Member States have served in hostile environments, supporting ceasefires and enabling political dialogue and peace processes. More than 4,400 peacekeepers have lost their lives in pursuit of lasting peace. As the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary, Lacroix said the Organization faces “a pivotal juncture” and must adapt its peace operations to evolving global realities. “The challenges ahead are real,” he cautioned, “but so is our capacity to meet them – if we stay united in purpose, pragmatic in action and unwavering in our commitment to peace.” The Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Bangladesh Police have actively participated in United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO) since 1988, with Bangladesh currently the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions as of 2024.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has said the initiation of proceedings against those accused of carrying out enforced disappearances and torture under the previous government in Bangladesh was an important step towards accountability. “I urge full respect for the most scrupulous standards of due process and fair trial, as guaranteed in international law. The protection of victims and witnesses in these sensitive and significant cases must be ensured,” the High Commissioner said. Last week, the country’s International Crimes Tribunal submitted formal charges of crimes against humanity in two cases related to enforced disappearances and torture alleged to have occurred at the Task Force for Interrogation Cell and the Joint Interrogation Cell, respectively.  The Tribunal also issued arrest warrants for mostly former, but also some serving, military officers, including a number of former Directors-General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, as well as former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion. “This marks the first time that formal charges have been brought for enforced disappearances in the country. It is a significant moment for victims and their families,” High Commissioner Türk said. Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to NAM principles On Saturday, Bangladesh’s army announced that it had detained over a dozen of its officers accused of serious crimes committed under the previous administration.  It is crucial that the army promptly produces these detained officers to a competent civilian court, for fair and transparent criminal proceedings, said the UN rights body chief in a statement issued from Geneva on October 15. One of the key recommendations of the UN Human Rights Office’s Fact-Finding Report into last year’s deadly student-led protests was that those responsible for serious violations of human rights, some of which may also constitute international crimes, must be held to account in accordance with international standards. The crime of enforced disappearances is now formally recognised in Bangladesh for the first time following ratification in August 2024 of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances and an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. SAARC can unlock immense potential for trade and investment: GED Member The High Commissioner also urged the authorities to prioritise the handling of the large number of other pending cases – with some dating back to the previous administration and others since then.  It is crucial to ensure due process and fair resolution in each case, and to release promptly anyone who has been arbitrarily detained, said the UN human rights body. This includes survivors of enforced disappearances and others facing unfounded charges, including journalists and those perceived to be supporters of the former regime.  Many of them continue to face criminal charges, including under the draconian Anti-Terrorism Act. The High Commissioner has also urged the authorities not to pursue the death penalty in any of the cases before its courts, irrespective of the seriousness of the charges. “Beyond ensuring individual accountability, the best way forward for Bangladesh is a comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation, healing and justice," he said. "Such a process must address the legacy of serious human rights violations and ensure that these abuses can never happen again. I also call on the interim Government to deal with ongoing concerns promptly in line with international law,” Türk said.   

The United Nations (UN) has said it will support an 'independent readiness assessment' for Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, following a formal request from the country’s interim government. "I have reaffirmed our full commitment to supporting Bangladesh in ensuring a smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC category," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima on Monday, announcing that her office will support the independent readiness assessment. She commended Bangladesh’s steadfast support to UNOHRLLS. "I am honoured to meet Chief Adviser Prof Yunus." Fatima, who also serves as the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, met the Chief Adviser at his hotel in New York on Monday (US time). SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury were present at the meeting. The readiness assessment is expected to begin within a month and be completed by mid-January, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB, adding that it will help make an informed decision. He said it will be conducted jointly by an international consultant and a Bangladeshi expert to ensure a comprehensive and balanced evaluation. The assessment will involve extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including government officials, business chambers, development experts, civil society leaders, donors, financial institutions, and political representatives, to determine whether Bangladesh is adequately prepared for the transition. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus welcomed the initiative, emphasising the need for empirical evidence before proceeding with the graduation. “It has become an emotional issue,” Prof Yunus said, highlighting the importance of objective data in informing policy decisions. In response, Fatima noted that the UN's most recent economic data on Bangladesh is over two years old. "A lot has changed since then," she said, underscoring the urgency of reassessing the country’s current economic landscape and for making an informed decision. Prof Yunus also expressed concern over the future of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, which has significantly benefited from trade preferences tied to its LDC status. He observed that graduation could put the sector at risk if adequate transition measures are not in place. Prof Yunus seeks WTO support for Bangladesh’s smooth LDC graduation

Leaders from around the world began arriving Monday at the United Nations as it faces one of the most turbulent periods in its 80-year history. The global challenges are immense: ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, shifting U.S. foreign policy, widespread hunger, and rapidly evolving technologies that outpace global governance. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week, “International cooperation is straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes.” Despite these challenges, the annual high-level General Assembly gathering brings together presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs from roughly 150 of the 193 U.N. member states. Guterres emphasized the importance of the meeting even in difficult times. “We are gathering in turbulent — even uncharted — waters,” he said, citing “our planet overheating, new technologies racing ahead without guardrails, inequalities widening by the hour.” He plans to use more than 150 one-on-one meetings with world leaders and ministers to encourage dialogue, bridge divides, mitigate risks, and seek solutions — from conflicts and climate change to regulating artificial intelligence and funding U.N. 2030 goals, including ending poverty and ensuring quality education for all children. “Leaders must make progress, not merely engage in posturing and promises,” he said. But observers remain skeptical. With no ceasefires in Gaza, Ukraine, or Sudan, whether the high-level meeting can achieve meaningful outcomes is uncertain. Richard Gowan, U.N. director at the International Crisis Group, said three issues will likely dominate: U.S. President Donald Trump’s first appearance in his second term, the crisis in Gaza, and the U.N.’s financial and staffing challenges following cuts to U.S. contributions. Gowan noted the nearly two-year Gaza conflict is central, as Israel has launched a major offensive in Gaza City and a U.N.-commissioned report accused Israel of committing genocide — a claim Israel rejected as “distorted and false.” Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour emphasized, “Palestine is going to be the huge elephant in this session of the General Assembly.” Abbas will address the assembly via video after the U.S. refused him a visa, following a resolution allowing it. More than 145 countries already recognize Palestine, and Mansour told The Associated Press, “it's going to be 10 more” at Monday’s meeting. The assembly also plans a Security Council discussion on Gaza. Other key topics include Trump’s speech on Tuesday, climate change, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, and U.N. reform. Guterres aims to rally support to make the U.N. more responsive amid a 15% budget cut and a 19% reduction in staff for 2026. Gowan said the U.N. remains vital despite its struggles: “The U.N.’s resonance on peace and security issues is unquestionably not what it was, but I think that the organization will continue to muddle through.”

An estimated 14 million children worldwide received no vaccines at all in 2024, mirroring figures from the previous year, according to a joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The agencies’ annual global vaccine coverage report, released Tuesday, highlights that just 89% of infants received their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (DTP) vaccine last year, with 85% completing the full three-dose schedule — only a slight improvement from 2023. UN officials say ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and a steep drop in global aid — particularly following the U.S. decision to withdraw support from WHO and Gavi — are undermining immunization progress. US cuts funding to Global Vaccine Alliance citing concerns over science, transparency Nine countries accounted for over half of the zero-dose children: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola. WHO also reported a concerning rise in measles, with outbreaks in 60 countries and over 125,000 cases in Europe alone. “Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with vaccine misinformation, threaten to reverse decades of progress,” warned WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Experts stress that 95% measles vaccine coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks — far above current global rates. Source: Agency