United News of Bangladesh

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke on Saturday reaffirmed her country’s long‑standing encouragement of ‘free, fair, credible and peaceful’ elections in Bangladesh. The British High Commissioner met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed the UK's positions, according to the High Commission. She also conveyed sincere condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari on Saturday called on Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman at the latter’s office and discussed issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, they reviewed the current state of Bangladesh-Nepal relations, said the Nepalese Embassy in Dhaka.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday said Bangladesh, as a responsible neighbor and an active member of the United Nations and other international bodies, advocates for a rule-based international order and collective action in addressing global economic challenges. "We support active engagement to promote dialogue, confidence-building, and cooperative solutions to shared concerns," he said while speaking at the Inaugural session of SAFA (South Asian Federation of Accountants) International Conference in Dhaka. Chairperson of Bangladesh Competition Commission AHM Ahsan and Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Bangladesh Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan attended the conference as special guests. Organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), the conference was themed “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting.” For Bangladesh, the Adviser said, the proposed convergence of technology and sustainability is particularly significant. "Our pursuit of economic growth and deeper global integration requires that our professionals remain not only technically proficient, but also ethically grounded and socially responsible," he said. US proud to call Bangladesh a friend: US Ambassador The Adviser said platforms such as this conference play a vital role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge, sharing of best practices, and fostering of meaningful collaborations. "Such engagements can steer both the region and the global community toward a sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced future," he said. The keynote speech was delivered by Adeeb Hossain Khan FCA, past President of ICAB and Senior Partner at Rahman Rahman Huq, Chartered Accountants. Khan emphasised that the adoption of AI in sustainability reporting is “no longer a distant concept, but a structural shift already influencing how economic value is created, measured, and disclosed.” The conference brought together national leadership and international expertise, serving as a platform for thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and strategic dialogue on critical issues set to reshape regional and global professional collaboration. Delegates from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka took part in the event, which featured three technical sessions and a valedictory session. The global accounting profession is entering a new phase as Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainability Reporting begin to converge, reshaping business risk, investor expectations, and public trust, experts highlighted at the SAFA international conference. Organisers noted that their presence demonstrated strong government support for elevating professional excellence, ethical standards, and international collaboration in the accounting and finance sectors. Adviser Hossain emphasised that the convergence of technology and sustainability is crucial for shaping a ‘new Bangladesh’. Finnish observers joining EU’s Election Observation Mission He noted that the country’s aspirations for sustained economic growth and deeper global integration demand professionals who are not only technically competent but also ethically grounded and socially responsible. AHM Ahsan highlighted that technological advancement presents both opportunities and challenges, and observed that AI-driven systems can boost efficiency, strengthen compliance, and foster innovation. Without strong ethical frameworks, AI also poses risks such as algorithmic collusion, market dominance abuses, opacity, and exclusionary practices. He urged that AI be adopted with caution to ensure that Bangladesh can fully and responsibly harness its benefits.

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase on Saturday (January 17, 2026) said it is very important to see the whole picture of electoral process holistically to present their report impartially, stressing that this is a historic moment for Bangladesh. "Let us observe and let us wait until a holistic assessment is done," she told reporters at a city hotel, noting that they all know there is no perfect election anywhere in the world. Lase said their assessment and report with recommendations in the spirit of friendship and cooperation will help improve the future electoral process in the country. She said their observers are very experienced though many of them are coming to Bangladesh for the first time. EU to allocate €60B military, €30B economic aid to Ukraine Addressing the observers, Lase said, "You are the ones who are in the field, seeing the realities, telling us here in Dhaka how the situation is unfolding in each and every district. We are really looking forward to your report and assessment from the field." She said she knows observers' hours on the ground will be longer but it will be rewarding. "Trust me, we are all very privileged to hear from you and see this historical election," Lase said. 200 Observers Altogether At full strength the EU EOM will comprise 200 observers drawn from all 27 EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings in a statement at a press conference on 14 February in Dhaka.

The interim government has appointed Omar bin Hadi, the brother of murdered Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi, as Second Secretary at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Thursday confirming his contractual appointment for a three-year term. The tenure will take effect from the date he assumes office. During this period, he will not be permitted to engage in any other profession or business, nor hold employment with any government, semi-government, autonomous, or private organisation. All other terms and conditions of the appointment will be governed by the relevant contract, the notification said. Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a youth leader, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in the capital’s Bijoynagar area after Jumma prayers. Inqilab Moncho stages protest demanding justice for Hadi He was initially operated on at Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was later airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.

Nordic embassies - Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway - in Dhaka came together on Thursday evening to mark Nordic Day 2026, under this year’s theme “Inclusive Societies, Stronger Together." Nordic Day commemorates the signing of the Helsinki Treaty in 1962, which laid the foundation for formal Nordic cooperation. It highlights the values that guide Nordic engagement globally: democracy, sustainability, gender equality, minority rights, inclusive societies, multilateral cooperation and international law. The celebration showcased the strength of Nordic cooperation and ongoing collaboration between the Nordic countries and Bangladesh in advancing inclusive development, and shared global goals. Young Nordic politicians observe Bangladesh’s election preparations Reflecting the shared commitment, they welcomed Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan as the chief guest. The event featured traditional Nordic cuisine, music, and provided a welcoming space for dialogue, cultural exchange and connection amongst guests.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen on Thursday presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban and said he looks forward to strengthening the Bangladesh-US relationship.  “Today I had the honor of presenting my Ambassadorial credentials to President Shahabuddin. The United States is proud to call Bangladesh a friend," he said in a brief statement after the ceremony. In over 50 years of partnership, the US Ambassador said they have worked together to promote regional stability, economic growth benefiting both the two countries, and the sovereignty of their great nations. "I look forward to continuing this work and further strengthening the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship," he said. Read more: UAE rulers grant royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners “It is an honor for me to serve the United States as the 19th Ambassador to Bangladesh,” said Ambassador Christensen who along with his wife Deanne Dao arrived in Dhaka on Monday. In a brief statement shared by the US Embassy in Dhaka soon after his arrival, he said they both are thrilled to return to a country that holds many fond memories for them.

Bangladesh and Nepal have discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, focusing on finalising a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), easing visa facilitation and reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers. The issues were discussed at the 8th Commerce Secretary-level Meeting between the two countries held at a city hotel in Dhaka from January 13–14. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman while the Nepal side was headed by Commerce Secretary Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire. During the meeting, both sides reviewed ways to increase market access for goods from both countries, facilitate payment systems and strengthen reliable transaction mechanisms to boost bilateral trade. Read More: Australia to issue visas for Bangladeshis from Dhaka The commerce secretaries also discussed development of port infrastructure, expansion of rail connectivity, simplification of customs procedures and effective implementation of transit facilities to reduce trade costs and improve connectivity. Special emphasis was given to the early finalisation of the Bangladesh-Nepal PTA. Both sides underscored the need to conclude the draft text, Rules of Origin and product lists through the Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) within the next three months. Visa facilitation for businesspersons, professionals and tourists was another key agenda item, with both countries agreeing to take concerted steps to simplify and expedite visa procedures to enhance trade, investment and people-to-people contacts. The meeting also agreed on closer cooperation to address non-tariff barriers, streamline product testing and certification processes, and expand bilateral trade through improved logistics and customs facilitation. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing excellent bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening economic partnership through enhanced connectivity, trade facilitation and market access. With a view to strengthening bilateral trade, both sides discussed organising trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as exchanging business delegations at the government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) levels. They agreed to hold regular trade fairs, exchange market information, undertake capacity-building initiatives and enhance cooperation at the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) level. It was also agreed that the 9th Commerce Secretary-level Meeting would be held in Nepal at a mutually convenient time.

‘Bangladesh and Singapore: A Tale of Two Nations’, authored by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan, was unveiled in Dhaka on Wednesday, exploring historical parallels, cultural exchanges and the deepening economic ties between the two countries, with a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) charting a new course for bilateral relations. Fresh from its Singapore launch, the book was formally introduced at a programme titled ‘Book Launch: Bangladesh and Singapore: A Tale of Two Nations’ held in the city's Baridhara in the evening, where speakers discussed its key themes and future-oriented insights. In his opening remarks, author Enayetullah Khan, also Editor-in-Chief of UNB, said that following the book’s launch in Singapore on November 27, he felt Dhaka’s winter provided the right moment to present it to Bangladeshi readers. The book, he noted, captures nearly six decades of dynamic relations between Bangladesh and Singapore from multiple perspectives. “Bangladesh and Singapore do not merely stand on the conventional foundations of bilateral ties,” Khan said, adding, “Their relationship rests on a powerful narrative — trust, trade, investment and respect. These four principles form the strong pillars of Bangladesh–Singapore relations,” he said, adding that the book examines the economic outlook of both countries alongside their historical connections. Singapore’s independence from Malaysia came six years before Bangladesh achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971, and both nations were led by towering figures — Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh and Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. Despite differing trajectories and transformations after independence, bilateral relations between the two countries have remained resilient. Building on this foundation, the book outlines prospects for a new economic pathway. “Bangladesh is a South Asian country, while Singapore is in Southeast Asia. In today’s global power politics, the Bay of Bengal offers immense opportunities for Bangladesh. If shipping and trade potentials of the Bay are fully utilised, Bangladesh can witness a new wave of economic growth. In this context, a Bangladesh–Singapore FTA could open new doors and usher in a new horizon for both economies,” Khan added. Echoing similar optimism, Singapore’s Acting High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mitchel Lee, who attended the event as a guest of honour, said the two countries share not only common waters of the Indian Ocean, but also intertwined historical journeys.

Bangladesh on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) lauded Finland and the European Union for deploying a large EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the upcoming national elections Bangladesh also sought sought Finland’s support for its post-LDC transition and GSP+ aspirations. Non-resident Ambassador of Finland to Bangladesh Kimmo Lähdevirta paid a courtesy call on Secretary (East & West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Ambassador expressed Finland’s support for a potential Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more: Prof Yunus orders strict measures to prevent possible election fraud Dr Islam invited the Ambassador to visit the EPZs to get firsthand experience on production facilities, business operations and above all, the investment opportunities in Bangladesh. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady progress in bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, clean energy, digital services, and textiles. The Secretary congratulated the Ambassador and the people of Finland on the upcoming Nordic Day celebration. The Finnish Ambassador reiterated that Finland is very happy to watch the democratic transition of Bangladesh. Read more: Bangladesh Election: EU Chief Observer clarifies ‘inclusive, participatory’ meaning Secretary Dr Islam shed light on Bangladesh’s reform agenda and preparations for the national parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 February 2026, alongside a national referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter.