Dhaka, 1 April 2026 – The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator (ad interim) in Bangladesh, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on key national and development priorities. During the meeting, the State Minister expressed appreciation for the contributions of the UN Country Team and its agencies, particularly in supporting development efforts and democratic processes in Bangladesh. She also shared her previous experience working with UN entities and recalled the congratulatory message sent by the UN Secretary-General following the election victory of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Highlighting the priorities of the new government, she underscored the importance of continued UN support in advancing its development vision. Referring to the UN Secretary-General’s visit in 2025, the State Minister reiterated that the government places the highest priority on the repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. She emphasized the need to maintain international focus on the issue through a multi-stakeholder approach and called for sustained cooperation to mobilize funding for ongoing humanitarian assistance. Ms. Flore-Smereczniak reaffirmed the UN’s strong commitment to Bangladesh and its readiness to deepen partnership with the government. She noted that the UN will continue to prioritize key areas such as women’s empowerment, gender equality and inclusive development. The State Minister assured full cooperation from the government and reiterated Bangladesh’s willingness to work closely with the UN to advance shared goals. Earlier in the day, the UN Resident Coordinator (ad interim) also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at his office.
