United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Saturday said the government is fully committed to implementing deep, structural reforms to improve the ease of doing business stressing that the government holds the political will and strategic vision to make Bangladesh the most competitive investment destination in South Asia. "Our government possesses the political will, the strategic vision, and the unwavering commitment to make Bangladesh the most competitive investment destination in South Asia," he said while describing the local business community as primary strategic partners. Speaking at the high-level conference titled “Roadmap for Trade, Growth & Economic Diplomacy 2026: Navigating Risks, Leveraging Resilience” in a city hotel, the Foreign Minister and President-elect of the 81st UN General Assembly said they view every foreign ambassador, not just as a diplomat, but as a crucial partner of their development. 
 "We view every business leader here, not just as an investor, or a taxpayer, but a stakeholder in our national success," he added. Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the conference brought together senior government leaders, heads of diplomatic missions, development partners, and representatives from the private sector to chart a forward-looking agenda for Bangladesh’s economic engagement. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education Mahdi Amin, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, among others, spoke at the event. The Foreign Minister said they must remain connected. "We must remain in dialogue. We must get feedbacks from you.... work with us as we rebuild trust and unlock the true vibrant potential of Bangladesh." Today, faced with the energy crisis and developments in the international trade, finance and technology, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also has a clear vision to transform the challenges to new opportunities with three key goals: stabilise, reform and elevate. "We need to convert his vision into concrete action as it comes to our work on economic and trade diplomacy," he said. As the new government begins its work, Dr Khalilur said they have before them the challenge of redesigning their international economic engagements against the backdrop slowing global economic and trade growth, geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainties, calamites rising trade barriers and structural shifts in supply chains. Moreover, the ongoing energy crisis has added a new layer of complications, he said. "We are not immune to these developments, which have crucial implications for our approaches to overall policy making, in general, and economic diplomacy, in particular," said the Foreign Minister. This is the very reason why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) decided to organise today's event that brings together our partners and stakeholders for open and purposeful deliberations with a view to helping informed policymaking, he said. "The challenges we face are critical. The growth prospects in our major markets remain in the positive territory but at a moderate level. This is likely to translate into sluggish consumer demand, which will affect our exports to these markets," Dr Khalilur said. He said they will need to compete ever more fiercely in order to maintain and expand our export position. Secondly, he said, financial markets and institutions are increasing affecting production of goods and services. "Trade flows have become increasingly susceptible to movements in interest rates or changes in investor sentiments," Dr Khalilur said. Countries like Bangladesh find it harder to raise capital, pay significantly higher borrowing costs and remain acutely vulnerable to swings in market sentiment, said the Foreign Minister. While advanced economies are able to borrow at roughly 1-4%, the rate for emerging developing countries range typically from 6-12% or even higher. "Thus, our access to affordable and secure financing remains significantly restricted," the Foreign Minister said. Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh remains acutely susceptible to factors such as currency volatility, shifts in risk-taking appetite and financial volatility, said the Foreign Minister. Thirdly, he said, climate vulnerability has introduced another difficulty in access to finance. According to UNCTAD, which recently carried out an Investment Policy Review of Bangladesh, some climate-vulnerable countries are paying an extra 20 billion dollar annually in interest due to their climate risk. "External debt and climate crisis are become intertwined," said the Foreign Minister. Fourthly, he said, the ongoing energy crisis has already caused them to spend more on imported fuel. "Increased fuel prices directly affect our cost of production and competitiveness." "By taking away critical funding that would have gone for development activities, we are likely to witness second round effects of the crisis in the form of reduced funding for development in the years to come," the Foreign Minister said. The International Energy Association opined that the scope of the current energy crisis could be larger than that of the twin oil shocks of the 1970s, which was a major cause for the 1980s to become a lost decade of development for many developing countries. The Foreign Minister said trade tech, which is the intersection of trade, investment and technology, is fast redefining the global economy and trade by making cross border transactions quicker and more efficient through the increasing use of innovations like AI, Internet of Things, Blockchain and 5G. "This poses both a challenge and an opportunity depending on how quickly and effectively countries can take advantage of the fast moving Trade Tech landscape," he said. The conference featured three thematic sessions: 1. The Policy Compass – Advancing Trade & Investment, focusing on policy predictability, market access, and investor confidence, 2 Capital for Growth – Finance, Commerce and Trade, addressing financing reforms and investment mobilisation, 3 The New Stage - Government Policy, AI, Creative Industries and Sport, exploring emerging growth sectors and diversification opportunities. The “Roadmap for Trade, Growth & Economic Diplomacy 2026” was held at a critical juncture of global transitions, risks and uncertainties. The event aims to foster greater coordination between policy and implementation, enhance Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy, and build stronger partnerships with the international community.

Congratulating Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as UNGA81 President, the US Bureau of International Organization Affairs on Saturday said the UN needs dramatic reform and the US will settle for nothing less as they continue to call for the Assembly to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and refocus on core issues of peace and security.  "We will measure success by the quality of results achieved for the American people, not the volume of paperwork produced," said the Bureau of the US Department of State in a message. Earlier on June 2, Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations Ambassador Tammy Bruce, on behalf of the United States, as host country of the United Nations, extended their sincere congratulations to Khalilur Rahman on his election as President of the General Assembly for its 81st session. "President-elect, you assume the responsibility at a critical moment for the United Nations, when it must continue to swiftly implement overdue reform and demonstrate it can contribute to international peace and security," she said.  The US official said the General Assembly will rely on Dr Khalilur's impartial leadership to follow through on both counts. "We hope that you seize this opportunity to improve the Assembly’s efficiency, reduce its costs, and refocus on core issues, measuring success by the quality of the results achieved - not by the volume of declarations produced," Tammy Bruce said. She said the United States looks forward to working with Dr Khalilur- both as the host country and as a Member State - to ensure the United Nations can live up to its potential and advance international peace and security. 

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday said his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) reflects the confidence and support of the international community in Bangladesh and its people. Speaking at a reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his honour, Dr Khalilur noted that the achievement underscores Bangladesh’s strengthened diplomatic standing.  He paid tribute to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for his guidance and leadership throughout the campaign, emphasising that the successful outcome was made possible by the Prime Minister’s commitment to advancing Bangladesh’s global engagement. The reception was attended by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister Humaiun Kobir, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and other senior officials. Earlier, upon his arrival in Dhaka following the election, the Foreign Minister was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Principal Secretary and Foreign Ministry officials.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan will meet his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Khalilur Rahman on Friday in Dhaka as the two countries eye expanding strategic engagement, in addition to strengthening the trade and investment relations. The Turkish Foreign Minister is paying a two-day visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur, a senior official told UNB, noting that bilateral issues, including trade, security, regional developments, will be discussed. The Turkish Foreign Minister, who arrived in Dhaka on Thursday night, will also meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. The visit will mark Fidan's first trip to Bangladesh. He was received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Foreign Minister Dr Kahlilur. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, PM's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Türkiye M Amanul Haq were also present at the airport to welcome the Turkish Foreign Minister. He is scheduled to inspect humanitarian assistance projects carried out by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish Diyanet Foundation and Türkiye's Health Ministry, and visit the Turkish Field Hospital operating in the camps. The two sides are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation in trade, defense industry, energy, education, culture, science and health. The two countries are keen to increase bilateral trade volume from $1.35 billion in 2025 to $2 billion. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur, along with PM's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, returned from New York on Thursday. Fidan and Khalilur Rahman held a bilateral meeting at the former’s office in Ankara on March 14. Both sides expressed optimism that the outcomes of the meeting would contribute to further strengthening cooperation and deepening the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Bangladesh in the years ahead. Bangladesh highlighted the importance of enhancing Turkish investment in Bangladesh and emphasised the prospects for expanding skilled human resource exports from Bangladesh to Türkiye. Türkiye reiterated its commitment to maintaining friendly and brotherly relations with Bangladesh in both bilateral and multilateral fora. Humaiun Kobir was also present during the meeting in Ankara. This marked the first bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries following the formation of the BNP government in Bangladesh. During the meeting, both sides discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the long-standing friendly and brotherly relations. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and expressed their shared commitment to working together in support of peace efforts concerning Gaza. Notably, to enhance institutional cooperation in diplomatic training and capacity building, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Diplomacy Academy of Türkiye and the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy during the bilateral meeting.

President-elect of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday indicated he may continue to discharge his responsibilities in both capacities concurrently, citing the example Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury, the last Bangladeshi before him to be elected UNGA president. The foreign minister dedicated the victory to Bangladesh’s future, as the country reclaimed the post four decades later. “Will I leave this (foreign minister’s) job? Is that the question? Don’t be so hurried. There is precedence,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. Dr Rahman noted that Bangladesh last held the prestigious position forty years ago (1986-87), when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly. “I was his private secretary and we worked with him. He worked in both posts full-time,” Dr Khalilur said.  Those who follow foreign affairs have been informally discussing whether Dr Khalilur would step down from his current responsibilities as Bangladesh's Foreign Minister to serve full-time at the UN, or attempt to carry out both roles simultaneously.  

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and President-elect of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly Dr Khalilur Rahman will visit Russia on June 7-9, said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Moscow welcomes the intention of the president-elect to give priority to defending the interests of the Global South and East, to promote the rapid achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, to enhance the effectiveness of the General Assembly, and, more broadly, to help restore the UN’s central coordinating role in world affairs,” said the Russian government. The Russian side is committed to constructive and fruitful cooperation with Dr Khalilur, including during his official visit to Russia on June 7-9. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, however, has not made any official announcement regarding the visit. Dr Khalilur said he is assuming the role “with humility and respect” at a time when confidence in the international system is under considerable strain. His presidency will coincide with one of the most significant processes on the UN calendar, the selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot election, Dr Khalilur secured 99 votes while Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus received 91. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions.  

Japan has extended its warmest congratulations to Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Embassy of Japan in Dhaka in a message on Wednesday wished him every success as he undertakes this important responsibility. “We look forward to further deepening the Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership through even closer collaboration at the United Nations and in other multilateral fora,” it said. Khalilur Rahman, president-elect of the 81st UNGA session, said he is assuming the role “with humility and respect” at a time when confidence in the international system is under considerable strain. His presidency will coincide with one of the most significant processes on the UN calendar, the selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot election, Khalilur Rahman secured 99 votes while Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus received 91. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions.

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and President-elect of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session Dr Khalilur Rahman has said he is taking on the role “with humility and respect” at a moment when confidence in the international system is under strain. His Presidency will coincide with one of the most consequential processes on the UN calendar - the selection of Secretary-General António Guterres’s successor, whose term ends on December 31, 2026. The 81st session will open on September 8, with world leaders gathering two weeks later for the annual high-level debate at UN Headquarters, in New York. “The UN will commence its ninth decade at a time when trust in our organization is being tested on multiple fronts,” the Foreign Minister told the UN Member States. Taken together, Dr Khalilur said, these challenges tend to undermine the public trust and confidence in the ability of our organization to deliver its promises.” The President-elect said he intends to act as a bridge-builder, promising to engage all Member States and seek common ground despite growing divisions. “As your president, I will dedicate myself to rebuilding trust, nurturing consensus, and opening space for good faith negotiations that will lead to outcomes for all that are owned by all,” he said. Dr Khalilur also pledged to uphold the UN Charter, maintain geographical and gender balance within his office and support the needs of smaller delegations. He was elected UNGA President on Tuesday after defeating Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus in a closely contested vote, positioning himself to steer the world body through a pivotal year marked by intensifying global crises, UN reform efforts and major leadership transitions. The international community is pouring in congratulatory messages for Dr Khalilur, following his election as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This milestone is being widely celebrated as a reflection of Bangladesh's growing global stature and Dr Rahman’s distinguished diplomatic career, an official told UNB. In a secret-ballot election, Dr Khalilur secured 99 votes to Kakouris’s 91. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions. The Presidency rotates among the UN’s five regional groups, and the 81st session falls to the Asia-Pacific group. Dr Rahman will serve a one-year term starting on September 8. Dr Khalilur brings more than four decades of diplomatic and multilateral experience to the role. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister since February, he previously served as National Security Adviser and High Representative on the Rohingya Issue during the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Maxime Prevot in Brussels, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relationship. They discussed key areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, multilateral cooperation (including at the United Nations), migration, visa and consular issues, and the Rohingya crisis, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam, among others, were present at the meeting. The Foreign Minister is currently visiting Brussels. On his way back home, the Foreign Minister is expected to make a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will return to Bangladesh on April 24, said a senior official.

Bangladesh on Tuesday expressed optimism that Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman’s  “goodwill visit” to India will lay an important foundation for elevating cooperation between the two countries to a more fruitful and sustainable level in the future. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, however, described Dr Khalilur’s trip as an “official” visit and outlined his engagements in New Delhi in detail. “It is hoped that this visit will lay an important foundation for elevating cooperation between Bangladesh and India to a more fruitful and sustainable level in the future,” Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs SM Mahbubul Alam told reporters at the ministry. FM’s India Visit: Dhaka to push key bilateral concerns in talks with Delhi Describing it as a “goodwill visit” to India, he said the Foreign Minister left for New Delhi in the afternoon en route to Mauritius to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference, scheduled to be held from April 10 to 12. The Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday  is scheduled to hold meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Petroleum, Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during the “stopover” in New Delhi. In these meetings, the MoFA spokesperson said Bangladesh will emphasise stability and the continued development of bilateral relations based on dignity, mutual trust and respect, and shared interests. India warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur on his arrival in New Delhi. "India and Bangladesh share warm and historic ties anchored in strong people to people relations. The visit will further bolster India Bangladesh partnership," said Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. From New Delhi, Foreign Minister Khalilur is likely to fly to Mauritius on the same flight on Thursday morning as his Indian counterpart, Jaishankar, to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference.