Bangladesh Working To Revive SAARC, Pursuing ASEAN Membership: Chief Adviser

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said Bangladesh is working to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) while actively pursuing membership in ASEAN.

"We envision Bangladesh as a key bridge between SAARC and ASEAN. Our application for a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN is a step toward eventual full membership," he stated.

The Chief Adviser made the remarks in response to a query from Finnish President Alexander Stubb regarding Bangladesh's foreign policy direction, during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN Headquarters in New York.

The two leaders discussed a broad range of issues, including Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections, UN reform, the Rohingya crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, the country’s ASEAN bid, the trials of Sheikh Hasina and her associates, and efforts to secure hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan.

Prof Yunus expressed gratitude for the international community’s support since the interim government took office in August last year.

"International support for our government over the past 14 months has been overwhelming," he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding free, fair, and credible elections in February, enabling Bangladesh’s 126 million voters to participate in a peaceful and festive atmosphere.

"Our people have been deprived of a free and fair election for the past 15 years. Now, they are eagerly looking forward to February," he noted.

The Chief Adviser also highlighted ongoing political and institutional reforms, including the expected signing of the ‘July Charter’ by political parties as a framework for deeper reform.

He emphasized that the trials of Sheikh Hasina and her allies remain a top government priority, being conducted in line with international legal standards.

"Despite facing trial, she (Sheikh Hasina) continues to make incendiary and destabilizing remarks," Prof Yunus said, adding that the government has sought her extradition to face justice.

President Stubb, raising concerns over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stressed the urgent need to reform the United Nations for greater global effectiveness.

"The world order is shifting. We must strengthen the UN," he said.

Agreeing, Prof Yunus observed that the UN has largely lost its ability to meaningfully address major global crises.

"There is growing uncertainty worldwide, and the UN has largely lost its ability to influence critical issues," he stated.

The meeting also touched on the Rohingya crisis and the importance of increased international funding for over one million Rohingyas currently hosted by Bangladesh.

They further discussed regional connectivity, underscoring Bangladesh’s strategic role in giving landlocked Nepal and Bhutan, as well as India’s northeastern states, access to the Chattogram Port.

"This initiative will significantly accelerate economic growth across the region," Prof Yunus noted.

Bangladesh’s Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and SDG Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed were also present.