US Chargé d’Affaires praises CA, reiterates support for Feb polls

NN ONLINE:

Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh, today appreciated the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus over the past 17 months and reiterated the support of his country for the February elections in Bangladesh.

Jacobson came up with the appreciation and affirmation of the US government support for Bangladesh’s polls slated for February 12, 2026 when she paid a farewell call on the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna here this afternoon, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

“Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, appreciated the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months and reiterated the support of the United States government for the February elections,” the press wing said.

During the meeting, Prof Yunus and Jacobson discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, as well as trade, civil aviation, labour reforms initiated by the interim government, and overall bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his government’s commitment for holding a free, fair, and peaceful election saying that full preparations were underway to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum. “We are fully prepared,” Professor Yunus said, adding that any attempts to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly.

The US Chargé d’Affaires lauded the reforms undertaken by the interim government and, in particular, praised the “truly remarkable and extraordinary” labour laws, saying they would help attract greater foreign direct investment to Bangladesh.

She also commended the interim government for withdrawing 45 of the 46 cases that had been filed against the country’s labour leaders during the regime of previous government. In response, the Chief Adviser described the new labour ordinance as an “excellent piece of legislation,” adding that leading Bangladeshi labour activists have publicly welcomed the reforms and the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions by the interim government.

The Cheif Adviser and the US envoy also discussed funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance. The Chief Adviser thanked the United States for continued support for the Rohingyas. “The United States remains the single largest donor to life-saving humanitarian aid for more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingya living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh”, Professor Yunus noted and expressed the hope that such support will continue in the future.

The Chief Adviser thanked the US Chargé d’Affaires for her “critical work” during her year-long tenure and for being a “friend to Bangladesh” and extended an invitation to her to visit in future. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present during the meeting.