ছবি: Photo: Collected
Professor Yunus to Address Global Climate Issues; Focus on Economic Reforms, Worker Rights, and Anti-Trafficking
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, will depart for Baku, Azerbaijan, today to attend the COP-29 Climate Summit, as confirmed by his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam. The advisor is scheduled for a packed agenda from November 11 to 14, where he will advocate for Bangladesh's climate-related challenges and voice the nation’s ongoing efforts to combat the impacts of climate change.
The advisor is expected to highlight Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change, while also sharing its proactive measures against environmental threats. According to Alam, Professor Yunus will speak at various forums within the summit and meet key international figures, reinforcing Bangladesh’s leadership in global climate adaptation and resilience.
In a related development, Professor Yunus recently met with Singapore’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Derek Loh, urging Singapore’s support in retrieving illicitly laundered funds and reducing the migration costs for Bangladeshi workers. The High Commissioner assured collaboration, particularly in assisting Bangladesh’s labor force with affordable migration costs and countering illegal financial transfers. Singapore also suggested digitalizing Bangladesh’s foreign recruitment system to enhance transparency and reduce worker exploitation.
The interim advisor discussed Bangladesh’s economic recovery post-Awami League’s recent resignation and his administration’s intent to boost foreign trade and investment. Yunus highlighted the favorable climate for business in Bangladesh and encouraged Singaporean investment, especially in fields like water purification and waste-to-energy projects. Singaporean trade officials confirmed interest in exploring a Free Trade Agreement, which would further strengthen the economic ties between the two nations.
In a meeting with Libyan Ambassador Abdulmutalib SM Saliman, Professor Yunus discussed potential increases in manpower exports to Libya, especially in sectors like healthcare and engineering. Libya, recognizing the contributions of Bangladeshi workers in its development, expressed interest in hiring more Bangladeshi professionals and enrolling Bangladeshi students in Libyan universities. Professor Yunus reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to reducing illegal migration and human trafficking, proposing a bilateral framework to tackle these issues collaboratively.
Additionally, Yunus emphasized the importance of improving trade ties with Libya and proposed exploring opportunities for Bangladesh to import Libyan oil. The meeting highlighted prospects for reopening direct flights between Bangladesh and Libya to enhance connectivity and trade.
Bangladesh’s foreign policy was also a focal point of these discussions, as Yunus underscored the interim government’s aim to foster strong relations with both Eastern and Western allies. He advocated for regional cooperation through platforms like SAARC and sought Singapore’s support for Bangladesh’s inclusion in ASEAN as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner.
Attending the meetings were Special Envoy Lutfe Siddiqui, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed, and Michael Lee, Singapore’s Charge d’Affaires in Dhaka. The discussions reflect Bangladesh’s balanced foreign policy and efforts to secure economic stability amidst significant regional and global challenges.
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