Md Mojahidul Islam :
Over the past year, Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus undertook travels to 11 countries. While many trips focused on multilateral engagements, several included significant bilateral meetings as well.
Key developments and meetings during these visits:
- Since taking office, Dr. Yunus has traveled to the United States, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, China, Qatar, Thailand, Vatican City, Japan, and the United Kingdom. These trips have substantially strengthened Bangladesh’s bilateral relations, resulting in multiple new agreements and memoranda of understanding.
United States
- Dr. Yunus’s first foreign trip was to the United States for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (Sept 23–28, 2024). His delegation, comprising 57 members, contrasted with larger delegations of previous years (344 in 73rd, 335 in 74th; 108 in 75th held virtually; 146 in 78th post-COVID).
- In addition to the UNGA, he met with U.S. President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as the President of the European Commission and leaders of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Azerbaijan
- Participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) in Baku (Nov 11–22, last year). On the sidelines, he met leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Egypt
- Attended the D-8 Summit in Cairo (Dec 18–20, last year). He held bilateral talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, met Hussein al-Sheikh (Secretary-General of the PLO), and delivered a speech at Al-Azhar University.
Switzerland
- Attended the World Economic Forum in Davos (Jan 21–25, this year), where he met with various heads of state and government.
United Arab Emirates
- Participated in the World Government Summit in Dubai (Feb 13–14). Meetings included UAE Health Minister Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais and Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, among others, with discussions emphasizing visa liberalization for Bangladeshi citizens and greater Bangladeshi labor recruitment.
China
- Visited Hainan Province and Beijing (Mar 26–30, this year), attending the Boao Forum for Asia and meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bangladesh secured commitments totaling about $2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants from the Chinese government and companies. Roughly 30 Chinese firms pledged to invest $1 billion in Bangladesh’s Special Chinese Industrial Economic Zone. China also announced a two-year extension of Bangladesh’s duty- and quota-free export privileges.
Thailand
- Attended the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand (Apr 3–4, this year), with bilateral meetings with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (the latter meeting occurred despite initial uncertainties).
Qatar
- Attended the Earthna Summit in Doha (Apr 21–25). He met with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, among others.
Vatican City
- Traveled to Vatican City (Apr 26) for Pope Francis’s funeral, meeting Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi and Cardinal Jacob Khoukadak (Kouvakad).
Japan
- Participated in the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia in Tokyo (May 28–June 1). On May 30, he held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, discussing regional and international issues and reaffirming commitment to a rules-based multilateral system and democracy. Several agreements and MOUs were signed following the meeting.
United Kingdom
- Visited London (June 10–13) for private discussions with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and with BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman, though he did not meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The discussions in London included cooperation on repatriating laundered funds to Bangladesh.
Official commentary
- Dr. Yunus’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, characterized the visits as highly successful and productive, noting that these trips have elevated Bangladesh’s relationships with the respective countries to new heights.
